Luton Higashi

Ogwen Bank, Wales - 3-6th May 2009

Above - Luton Lunatics - Ro, Enrico, Hayley, Doc, Jenny, Danny, Jeff, John, Afghan, Karen, Amy, Alun, Rob and Paul

Morning Sessions “The Battlefield”

After taking the sensible option of an early nights rest I awoke to the sounds of an alarm clock at 6.30am… the first sessions of each day begin on “the battlefield”. The session consists of relatively easy exercises to warm up – nothing anywhere in the same league as the dojo training with Sensei Hurley - which surprised me somewhat but I admit was a welcome change.

Above - boys on the battlefield

Below - girls on the battlefield

Sensei Spanton then called for “light” sparring. I think there was some confusion in the translation, because I don't think I had a “light” spar all week! The sessions usually allowed enough time to take on about three fights (which was definitely enough by the end of the week). Occasionally Sensei Hurley would take on the obligatory role of “wasping” (randomly attacking everyone and generally getting himself into mischief, and clearly loving the role! - by the end of the week I had eyes everywhere at all times!)

Above - Rob trying to actually climb onto someone . . .

As the session begins lower grades are asked to move to one end of the field and the Dan grades to the other – similar to lines in the Dojo. I spent the week consciously working my way through grades from the lower grade end on the first day through to the Dan end of the battlefield as my confidence grew in the last few days. I preferred working with the Dan grades as I was learning much more and was forced to protect myself & pick my shots rather than coasting through. Definitely my favourite session of the day.

Above - Sensei John using a shade more than minimum force

On the last session of the week I made the mistake of choosing not to go in the river with the other Ogwen Virgins when “asked”. Big mistake. Within seconds I found myself surrounded by Dan grades and lying face down on the floor for a playful knocking. I still don't know how I arrived there! I can recall someone shouting “he's fighting back – must be from Luton ” – which made me proud. I think I did well though – I managed to get in a few punches and kicks before ultimately being picked up by and launched head first into the not-so-warm river by an “Atomic Wookie Wedgie”. They were my best boxers! Photos of our wetness were taken standing next to a scary looking Doc dressed up in his scrubs. We then soggily headed back to the caravan for much deserved showers and some paracetamol.

Above - violent yet polite - those who are about to die salute you!

Second Session – The Dojo

The second session of the day began at about 10.30am and took place on a car park on site, which in itself was a weird setting – it took me awhile to get into the routine of bowing to a car park! We formed lines as normal – with one big difference – white through to yellow were in line one, green through to purple in the next, followed by brown then the “lower” level Dans and finally the higher level Dans.

Above - Karen

These sessions generally involved Kata practice with added Bunkai later in the week. I absolutely loved the Bunkai because it helped me to learn how and why the first three Katas work. It was great to see the whole class performing Pinan Nedan – and seeing black belts doing press ups along with us for making mistakes. It makes you feel that you're really working towards something important in your training which was superb feeling and felt like it was relieving some of the pressure from us lower grades. Also – Sensei Spanton often made us work through the Katas with varying instructions mixed in… for example starting to the right… with alternate level punches and extra blocks… and to top it off even working through them in reverse!

Above Rob, Afghan and Alun

Sensei Spanton also introduced a 17 combination move which completely threw me on the first day – he proceeded to add another 3 moves to it by the end of the week - however by the last session of the week you could work it backwards. If I hadn't already decided that the first session of the day was my favourite, this one would definitely have got the title.

Third Session – The Dojo

These sessions were very similar to the second session of the day involving heavy use of Kata and Bunkai. As the week progressed my confidence grew and I even began to teach grades lower than myself the Bunkai. Teaching it also helped to strengthen my own understanding of it – I would definitely recommend getting stuck in, even if you get it wrong there are always higher grades on hand to help and answer your questions.

Above - Rob having a bath

If I hadn't already decided that the first & second sessions of the day were my favourites, this one would have definitely achieved it. In fact… all three sessions were great!

Above - Afghan having a bath

The Evenings

I only really had one late night during my time there as I really wanted to concentrate on absorbing as much of the experience as possible without a hangover. However we would usually either head to the club house for a couple of pints of liquid pain killer of chill out with a DVD in the evenings trying to conserve as much energy as possible.

Above - Lunatics outside a pub

On the final evening Sensei Spanton presented his awards for the week. I was lucky enough to be awarded a 2 nd class Orange belt, which came as a real surprise as I had only recently been awarded my yellow (2nd class).

Other belt promotions were-

Rob Jollands – 8th Kyu (2nd Class)
Marc Lee Smith – 6th Kyu (2nd Class)
Alun Farmer – 4th Kyu (3rd Class)
Karen Tomkins – 2nd Kyu (2nd Class)

Above - Lunatics inside a pub

Possibly the strangest feeling of the evening was having Sensei Spanton call me up to collect my licence by calling me “Afghan” (an old University nickname that I can't seem to shake off!). I Although we didn't achieve John's goal of winning a fifth consecutive year of Student of the week all lower grade students moved up a grade which was a fantastic feeling. Sensei Spanton also confirmed that Ogwen 2010 was on the cards - a great end to the week. I'm definitely back there if it runs and couldn't recommend the experience more.

Report by Marc "Afghan" Lee Smith - Chief Punchbag