Luton Higash Karate Kai

Ogwen Bank, Wales - 5th-9th May 2003

Where in the world can you join a bunch of strangers for an all out fight at seven thirty in the morning and then laugh about the injuries, gained and received, over a pint in the evening with your new found friends? It's Ogwen Bank time again!

The Luton Lunatics - Becky, Alex, John, Sam and Lindsay

The Luton Lunatics arrived with a slightly smaller group than previous years but we were all brimming with enthusiasm and spirit. The only Ogwen virgin was Lindsay, but uncharacteristically for virgins, she didn't seem to be showing any fear or foreboding. But she hadn't been thrown in the river yet!

Monday morning started off at the picturesque river bank with some stretching and 'light' sparring. Alex got his first black eye. The right one.

Alex getting stuck it. At least we think it's him . . .

The second session was intensive basics including repeated kicks until we could barely lift our own legs. But the determination was there and everybody gave it their all.

By the end of the it was all we could do to crawl back to our caravans to watch Blackadder. And it was only Monday. The rest of the country was having barbecues and all we had was the shakes!

The Tuesday morning sparring session was good fun but made more challenging by Chris Foxwell's random attacks. He was moaning that he had 'broken' his sparring partner and so had decided to take everyone else on instead!

Becky valiantly taking on Jennie and Norma

The midmorning session was tough and tiring but we were entertained by having all four seasons from sun to sleet during it.

By Wednesday the strain was beginning to show so we had our traditional sauna and Jacuzzi to ease off those tired muscles. Then a quick KFC and straight down the pub for the pool competition. Luton were the defending champions as Big Chris Baxter had been in the winning team the previous year. But competition was tougher this year and Luton left empty handed.

Thursday was kata competition day. The brown-belt's competition was held after the second session. All the brown-belts participated, and Luton was very pleased to walk away with a final placing.

Brown-belt kata competition finalists - Paul, Jennie and Alex

The black-belt competition was held after the third training session. Our congratulations to Chris Foxwell from Malden for taking the gold.

In the evening we had a pub quiz with the proceeds going to charity. After a shaky start, the "Lairey Luton Lovelies" warmed up towards the middle, and ended up coming second . . or maybe third. It was getting late, and I forgot. I blame the beer.

Two of you? One of me? With my reputation . . .

Friday came and everyone was relieved to be on the home straight. In the controlled sparring in the morning, Alex got his second black eye. The left one this time.

The whole 'battlefield' degenerated into one big fight as it so often does on the last day with John in the middle of it running around like a kid in a sweet-shop. And all the virgins were baptised in the river. Lindsay went in after a struggle, but once in she found the water quite nice and took her time getting out. Reviewing video footage of the event, it didn't go unnoticed that the ringleaders of the ritual dunkings were all the Fifth Dans who are normally so reserved and polite!

John with 'that' look in his eyes!

Linsday taking her enforced morning dip

At the end of the day four brave black-belts lined up on the tarmac for what proved to be the toughest grading for years. They were put through their paces for over an hour in the pouring rain, performing admirably and without showing any sign of the pain and discomfort they were undoubtedly experiencing. Congratulations go to Damian, Ray and Mick from Sligo and Alex from Stafford for their well deserved promotions.

The Ogwen ladies, ours have pink arrows sticking out their heads

The course attracts many people every year because it is a chance to enter an alternate reality where everyday problems recede into the background. You don't think about your unpaid gas bill when someone is trying to put their foot through your chest and only you can stop the impact. And nothing can make you feel more alive than that!

Sensei Spanton took us through the bunkai to many katas over the course, giving them deeper meaning and helping us to perform them more realistically. The constant exercise on the course increased our fitness levels dramatically and improved our reactions and sparring. Our thanks to Sensei Spanton for another fantastic course!

Luton Lunatics in a pub - Lindsay, Alex, Sam & Becky

Alex Buxton
Luton Higashi

Reporter's note - Although every effort was made to ensure this report is as accurate as possible, I was hit on the head a few times in Wales so if my memory of events doesn't tally up with anyone else's, please accept my profound apologies. And all the photos on this page have been unashamadly stolen from the report on our parent site www.higashi.org.uk. Please check it out to do them justice.