Karate Club; Autumn Camp

Thirty members assembled for the Karate Club's Autumn training camp held at Wainuiomata during the weekend of May 28. We travelled over early Friday night and spent the rest of the evening settling in, most people having an early night in anticipation of the following day.

We were awakened at 6.00am. Saturday morning and we staggered out into the dark, half asleep, to begin the day's first training session, which mainly consisted of a few warm-up exercises, breathing exercises and a seemingly endless period of running, kicking, bunny hopping and duck-walking. The session was concluded with a refreshing swim in the stream-fed pool. After a hot shower and breakfast, though the regours of the early morning seemed like a dream, we felt fit and wide awake.

A short stroll up to the bush preceded the second session which lasted until lunch time and was basically the normal dojo training routine, with special emphasis on kicking techniques. Again the proceedings ended with a swim in the pool, which still seemed as cold as ever.

After lunch we had another walk, this time to view the wonders of the Wainui stream. The afternoon session was given over to practising katas (formalised movements with combinations of blocking and striking techniques against five supposed assailants), and this was followed by light-hearted games of soccer and rugby, and the inevitable swim. The rest of the day was free, and after the evening meal there was an enjoyable get-together and singsong in the common room.

The Sunday programme started similarly to that of the previous day; with an energetic early morning session and swim. But for a change the session after breakfast was held in a clearing out in the bush; and the basic techniques, katas and free-fighting were practical on the rouqh ground. Certainly a very different situation from the dojo. The morning was concluded, not by a swim, but by each member having to stand beneath a waterfall! This was the final training session and after lunch the group dispersed, all feeling somewhat tired, but having benefitted considerably from the intensive training, and all are eagerly awaiting the winter camp. So the biggest Karate club in the city goes marching on.