Luton Higash Karate Kai

Ogwen Bank, Wales - 7-11th May 2007

The Luton Lunatics from the left: Karen (Potty Mouth), John (The Bosh), Alan (Doc), Jeff (Trojan), Alex (Sharky), Andy (Shifty), James (Sick Boy) and Jenny

The Lunatics arrived at Ogwen Bank accompanied by four Ogwen virgins; Karen, Doc, Shifty and Jenny who had no idea of what they had got themselves into!

Above - Lunatics at dinner

Below - Lunatics at war

The virgins got shown around the place; have to say The Club House was looking a very favourable place after what we had been told about this very gruelling week ahead of us. We took a look at the two dojos (morning and afternoon) the first thing I thought was: "The morning session's taking place on a muddy bank, 730am, you're having a laugh aren't you?" The accommodation was lovely, very clean and well equipped with everything we needed..

Well, on Monday morning the alarm went off at 7am! I stumbled out of be putting my trackie bottoms, t- shirt, jumper and water proofs on, gulped down a well-needed intake of caffeine and off we went, taking the first of our daily hikes up the hill to the morning session on the muddy bank dojo!

Above - John kicking someone

Below - James kicking someone

Sensei Spanton started us off with some stretching, then took us into some very hard press up exercises, planks and, of course, the famous Ogwen crunches, they did seem to be so much harder doing them at Ogwen than at our regular Luton Dojo! It's probably because you know you have Peter Spanton's eagle eyes watching you, threatening to start re-counting if you give up! After an agonising start we moved onto some sparring. Jenny and I stuck with the white and yellow belts whist Doc and Shifty got straight in at the deep end with the brown and black belts. John, Jeff and James partnered with Sligo, Maldon and Windsor , to have a game of 'who could get the muddiest by the end of the session!'

The two afternoon sessions covered basics, kata, bunkai, and some hard combinations which even the black belts couldn't master, which certainly made us lower grades feel a lot better!

Above - Karen kicking someone

Below - Jeff kicking someone

Heading back after a shattering day we settled down to some dinner and a few well needed beers, We made an appearance at The Club House whereit was nice to meet everyone and socialise; I have to say they were a fantastic bunch of people.

Tuesday followed the same pattern as Monday other than in the morning session we did a lot more sparring, not so good considering what a downpour we had had that morning; we were slipping everywhere. In the afternoon we continued with some basics and then split up into small groups and worked out the bunkai for Pinan Shodan. Heading back after the 3 rd session, we all knew what the following day would bring. . . PAIN!

Above - Alex defending against two attackers

Below - Doc and Karen using the magic of karate to levitate!

By Wednesday morning the scent of deep heat certainly permanated the air, along with lots of ibuprofen and paracetamol being taken. The pain of the hard work had really started to kick in. Taking our daily haul up the hill was full of moans and groans. The exercises hurt so much more, the burning in the stomach on sit up exercises was just about bearable. Heading to the afternoon sessions the painkillers had eased some of the aches and pains. Everyone still worked so hard and remained focused and committed throughout the remaining sessions of the day.

Thursday - over half way through the week so I think everyone was tired but knew we only had two days to go so we all continued with the hard graft. Morning sessions continued with some more gruelling stomach exercises and sparring. Also, the Ogwen virgins from all the clubs knew this time tomorrow morning we'd been having a dip in the icy cold river. In the afternoon bunkai, basics and some more of Sensei Spantons combinations took us to the end of Thursday.

Above - Course black belts

Below - the virgins being baptised Ogwen style!

By Friday morning, I think everyone's bodies were starting to get used to the daily routine, so the aches and pains had eased off quite a bit. As we set off up the hill to our last morning session of the week Jenny, Andy, Doc and me all knew we would be having a very cold morning bath. The exercises still gave us pain and the sparring certainly built up a sweat. Then Sensei Spanton said "yamai . . . ok, do what you gotta do." This was the virgins cue to peg it, even though we knew it was inevitable we'd end up in the river. It was soooooooo cold! In the afternoon the green belts and below spent a lot of time going through the first 5 katas with and without application, as did the higher grades but obviously concentrating on their advanced katas. At the very end of the session, it was time for the final blast; the energy levels between all of us was electric - we just fed off each other and pushed ourselves to the limit. The gradings took place shortly after the final session in the pouring rain - the guys worked so hard - it was an inspiration to watch them.

On Friday evening, after everyone had pigged out and had a few beers. there were four very well-deserved third and fourth Dans awarded, along with a few words from Peter Spanton announcing that there would be another Ogwen Bank Course next year, so thanks for that another week of pain and hard work, but we LOVE it!

Above - Karen being awarded Student of the Week!

Karen, Luton Lunatics

P.S Karen is too modest to mention it in her report, but we are very proud of her for being awarded the coveted Student of the Week award.