18th October 2008
Academy of Shotokan Karate Dan Grading ~ Guildford, Surrey

The was a hat-trick of success and celebrations for Dartford SKC at the ASK Dan grading held during a special 2-day all styles course with Sensei Dave Hazard 7th Dan at the Spectrum Leisure Centre in Guildford, Surrey.

Rhiannon Davies (19) and Tom Webber (17) succesfully passed physically demanding gradings for 2nd Dan and 1st Dan in front of ASK chief instructor Sensei Dave Hazard. The celebrations were complete when Sensei Hazard officially announced that Dartford SKC instructor Paul Herbert had also been graded to 5th Dan earlier in the year.

2nd September 2008
Sensei Dave Hazard featured in Shotokan Karate Magazine, issue 97

Academy of Shotokan Karate chief instructor Dave Hazard, is featured on the cover of October 08's issue of the prestigious Shotokan Karate Magazine. Read an exclusive interview with Hazard Sensei conducted earlier this year by Dartford SKC's Paul Herbert.

Read about Dave's experiences training with Enoeda Sensei, the JKA and the KUGB. His time as national kata coach and his thoughts on many other aspects of Karate-Do. You can purchase a copy of the magazine directly from www.shotokanmag.com or Dartford SKC students can purchase their own copy direct from the dojo.

Thursday 31st July 2008
Dartford SKC says 'Bon Voyage' to Ben Leaver

On Thursday 31st July, Ben Leaver (4th Kyu) followed best friend and fellow Dartford SKC Karate-Ka Dave Berry down-under to Australia. Ben, who has been training at the dojo since the summer of 2005 and who has been very succesful in numerous kumite and kata competitions, leaves many friends behind as he goes off to travel for 12 months. On his final night at the dojo, Ben took the last half of the senior class and demonstrated a natural ability to communicate and demonstrate his Karate really well to others.

Ben has been great to have around the dojo and I'd just like to thank him personally for all of his enthusiasm, support and loyalty toward the club whenever he has trained, competed and graded. I speak for all of us again when I say we're not just losing another fine student and fellow karate-ka but also a good friend. Safe travels mate and behave yourself!!- Oss

Friday 4th July - Monday 7th July 2008
3nd International Shotokan Training Camp ~ Herqueville Manor – Rouen, France

The first weekend of July 2008 saw the ‘3rd International Shotokan Training Camp’ take place at Herqueville Manor in the beautiful French countryside. In total, 33 Karate-ka made the journey to train with Paul Herbert of the ASK and this years guest instructor Adam Cockfield of the SSKI.

In addition to the training with both sensei, Michael Hogan of ASK Ireland and the national kata coach, also took a special class for the Kyu grades. An excellent power point presentation was also given by Jeff Matthews on the subject of martial artists, self defence and the law - Jeff is a vastly experienced karate-ka and police office who is also an expert on conflict management. 

Over the 4-days, both instructors taught various levels of technique and theories applying to traditional karate, sport karate and also effective street-applied karate techniques for personal protection. The brown and black belts also covered the kata’s Meikyo and Gankaku with in depth breakdowns and understanding of their applications and feel.

France Gallery 2008 - HERE

There was also special early morning sessions for those able to roll out of bed for a run and training on the banks of the river Seine with Paul Sensei. On the second morning, Adam Sensei took the early birds through a tough but highly enjoyable plyometrics training session.

Aside from the training, there was never a dull moment over the weekend with beautiful weather, BBQ’s, Football, Pool, Karaoke and a fair bit of drinking. The 4th International Shotokan Training Camp is already booked at Herqueville Manor for Friday 10th to Monday 13th July 2009.

Saturday 10th May 2008
Shobu Ippon Shotokan International Open 2008 - Guildford Spectrum, Surrey

2008 yet again saw the International Shobu Ippon Open retain its crown as the premier Shotokan competition in Europe. The championship attracted competitors from all across mainland Europe to the Guildford Spectrum in Surrey and produced a day of outstanding Shotokan Karate.

Dartford SKC maintained its record of producing champions at the annual championships with Hayley Cramer winning the individual kumite event for 9th - 4th Kyu ladies. On what was an excellent day for her, Hayley also placed 3rd in the kata catergory of the same criteria.

Also a big well done to Keiran Jones, Chloe Jones, Jonny Heskins and Emma Robins who all represented the club on the day and did us proud with their skill and attitude. The only negative about this years championships was the fact Dartford SKC was only able to send a small squad due to exams, revision, holidays, work commitments and university etc.

Congratulations to the organisers Darren Jumnoodoo and Simon Staples on yet another excellent championship and I’m sure that everyone is already clearing their diaries and looking forward to next years championship scheduled for 9th May 2009.

Thursday 3rd April 2008
Dartford SKC says 'Bon Voyage' to Dangerous Dave Berry

On Thursday 3rd April, Dave Berry (4th Kyu) trained at Dartford SKC for the last time in what could be quite a while. Dangerous as he is known at the dojo, has been training since December 2005 but is now headed 'back' to Australia to explore the home he left age six. And he couldn't have picked a better final class, as it was training under Dave Hazard Sensei on a special open course at the dojo. After the class, Dave was presented with a card signed by all the club members and given an ASK squad tracksuit jacket.

Dangerous has been great to have around the dojo and I'd just like to thank him personally for all of his enthusiasm, support and loyalty toward the club whenever he has trained, competed and graded. I speak for us all when I say we're not just losing a student and fellow karate-ka but also a good friend. Safe travels, find a good dojo and as Mr Hazard would say 'Happy Days' - Oss.

The continuing adventures of Dangerous can be followed on Facebook and at http://www.myspace.com/dangerous_84 

13th Ferbuary 2008
Sensei Dave Hazard featured in Martial Arts Illustrated

Academy of Shotokan Karate chief instructor Dave Hazard, is featured on the cover of the March 2008 edition of Martial Arts Illustrated magazine. Read an exclusive interview with Hazard Sensei conducted by Chris Parker, the 'ghost writer' of the excellent Born Fighter which was released last year.

' I’m not sure when I first met Dave Hazard. I think it was three years ago, but it could have been four. I’m sure he’ll know, he has a great memory. He can remember all of his life better than I can remember last week. I know this for a fact because I’ve spent a good deal of time talking to him about his life and helping him record it for his recently published autobiography, Born Fighter.

For the last couple of years I have been, in publishing parlance, Dave Hazard’s ‘ghost’. (Let me add quickly at this point for those of you old enough to remember the famous film of the same name, when I say I was Dave’s ghost I don’t mean that I was playing Patrick Swayze to his Demi Moore, we didn’t do any modelling with clay together. I was simply his ghost writer.) It’s been one of the most interesting, instructive, challenging and enjoyable things I’ve ever done. Not only did I learn a lot as a writer, I learnt even more about martial arts principles, training and application from a man who is one of Britain’s greatest ever martial artists. What follows is an insight into the life of Dave Hazard, a born fighter... '

For more information on Martial Arts Illustrated visit - Here

Thursday 20th December 2007
Dartford SKC Christmas Party - The Compass Restaurant, Darenth

On Thursday 20th December, around 40 members and friends of the Dartford SKC dojo met up at 'The Compass' Restaurant for the clubs annual Christmas meal and party. A great time was had by all during an evening of great food, great company and all at a beautiful and relaxing venue which was pretty much taken over by the club.

To see more pictures from the night, visit the gallery below

2007 Christmas Party Gallery

On behalf of everyone who attended, I would like to thank Tony Broad and his staff at The Compass for being such great hosts, and most of all I would like to thank Malcolm Heskins of Dartford SKC who took on the hefty task of organising the Christmas party this year, it was a really great night.

Training starts up again on Thursday 3rd January 2008 and so for now I'll take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

Wednesday 31st October 2007
Official Release of 'Born Fighter' - Dave Hazard (John Blake Publishing)

Meet Dave Hazard. He's a world class Martial Artist - a 7th Dan black belt in Shotokan Karate - who is as respected in the tough streets, bars and clubs of the East End of London as he is in the best karate dojo in Japan, fighting among some of the most skilled practitioners of martial arts in the world. His reputation is legendary.

Read about all about..

• His first lesson and time at the Blackfriars dojo
• His close relationship with Enoeda Sensei
• Fighting for the KUGB national team
• Living and training in Japan on the JKA instructor class
• Fighting daily with the infamous Yahara Sensei
• His thoughts on Master Nakayama
• His first meeting with Stan Schimdt of South Africa
• Learning to become a sensei in his own right
• His relationship with Mick Dewey of SEKU
• Establishing his own legacy with the Academy Of Shotokan Karate
• His attitude and approach to combat

Born Fighter is Dave Hazard’s humorous, insightful, inspiring, violent and occasionally tragic life story.  Above all else, it is unflinchingly honest – and through Dave’s honesty we are reminded that the greatest battle we all face is with ourselves.

Available now online and from all good book stores - ISBN 978-1-84454-480-6

Sunday 7th October 2007
ASK National Karate Championships ~ Mansfield, Nottingham

Male Results

Ben Leaver – 2nd Male 9th to 1st Kyu Kumite & 3rd 9th to 1st Kyu Kata
Tom Webber – 3rd Male 9th to 1st Kyu Kumite
Jonathon Heskins – 3rd Mixed Over 5ft San-Bon Kumite
Terry Dunn – 3rd Under 75k Senior Male Kumite

Female Result

Hayley Cramer - 3rd Ladies Open Weight Kumite

Well done to Dave Berry and Rhiannon Davies who also represented Dartford SKC and did us proud with their fighting spirit and attitude. I'd also like to mention and thank the parents and family members etc who came along to support the club and our competitors. Well done everyone and I know that despite a few 'raised eyebrows' at the unfamiliar WKF rules, a good day was had by all who attended. This experience will continue to push the club even further in the right direction.

Thursday 4th October 2007
Special Kumite Course with Sensei Dave Hazard ~ 7th Dan, Dartford SKC

On Thursday 4th October, we had the pleasure of welcoming Sensei Dave Hazard back to Dartford SKC for the second time in 2007. After the success of the ' Kata' course in March, Sensei Hazard returned and this time taught two special 'Kumite' based classes to a group of enthusiastic students from a selection of different Karate clubs and associations from around the UK. Not only did the grades of those attending range from 10th Kyu to 5th Dan, but there was also the pedigree of former English, British, European and World champions scattered around the Dartford SKC dojo.

Sensei Hazard was quick to stress the difference between the fundamental Karate and the applied Karate of both classes. Fundamental (basic) Karate can be defined as picture perfect end result that enters transition before again returning to end result. Whereas during applied Karate, the end result happens for a fraction of a second between transition. This is an advancement and evolution to an individuals Karate, and something that my own students must tire of me telling them.

For the first hour, Sensei Hazard spoke about correct movement and of loading the back leg in Kumite - with many of the drills based around attacking with, and countering against fast and fierce hand techniques. The importance of mind-set and intention was also dealt with at length in this part of the session along with the need for accuracy and timing.

The second half of the class was aimed at those Karate-Ka whose competition days were behind them and how Shotokan Karate can be applied realistically, effectively and consequently violently into a system of self defence and personal protection. The distance was shortened and the techniques used were open hands, elbows and knees.

Many thanks to Sensei Hazard for another excellent course and my thanks and appreciation goes out to everybody who attended and gave their support. Sensei Hazard will be back at Dartford SKC in early 2008 for what will be his 10th visit to the dojo - please keep an eye on www.shotopromotions.co.uk for further details.

Monday 13th August 2007
JKA ‘Open’ Course with Sensei David Hooper ~ 4th Dan JKA, Dartford SKC

On Monday 13th August 2007, Dartford SKC was lucky enough to host an intimate session with Sensei Dave Hooper of the JKA. Dave has spent the past 31 years living in Japan where he has trained extensively at both the JKA Honbu and Takushoku University – He is also long-term private student of Yoshiharu Osaka Sensei 8th Dan.

Many people consider Dr Hooper to be one of the best ‘western’ JKA instructors in the world. However, I found this statement to be unfair and believe that he is one of the best JKA instructors I’ve trained with - period.

The class which was made up predominately of senior black belts, dealt with pure fundamental JKA kihon-waza (basic technique), with emphasis placed on hip movement, hikite and the isolation of correct muscle groups when performing each technique or combination. The majority of this training was done whilst performing Gohon Kumite (5 step sparring).

Sensei Hooper worked on eradicating muscle tension before and after each technique and on also removing the small idiosyncrasies that creep in to all karate-ka’s daily practice. With Sensei Hooper himself, nothing was wasted and it made his technique extremely hard to block and defend against.

Saturday 19th May 2007
Academy of Shotokan Karate Dan Grading ~ Blyth, Newcastle

Congratulations to 14 year old Jonathon Heskins of Dartford SKC on acheiving his 1st Dan Black-Belt under A.S.K chief instructor Dave Hazard 7th Dan.

Jonathon trained very hard and did himself and the club proud during the grading infront of the associations chief examiner. He thoroughly deserved his new grade and received warm words of congratulations from Sensei Hazard afterwards.

All grades within the A.S.K are earned through hard work and by members displaying the correct attitude in all areas of their training. Jonathon can now visit any Karate dojo in the world and be confident that his ability more than matches his grade.

Well done from everyone at the Dartford skc dojo!!

The next DAN grading for Dartford SKC students in on Sunday 2nd December 2007

Friday June 29th June - Monday 2nd July 2007
2nd International Shotokan Training Camp ~ Herqueville Manor – Rouen, France

After the fantastic time we had at Herqueville Manor in October 2006, everybody at Dartford SKC was extremely keen to come along to the return trip in 2007. My long term plan is to make the ‘International Shotokan Training Camp’ a prestigious annual event that will continue to grow over time. This year we were lucky enough to have students from associations like ASK, JKA England, JKA Italy and the KUGB.  

The planning for this years course started brilliantly when my friend, and excellent Karate-Ka Craig Raye agreed to come over as the guest instructor for the weekend. I cannot thank Craig enough for his time and for adding to what turned out to be a fantastic 4-days in the Rouen sunshine.

The course started on the Friday evening when I took a 90 minute class of mixed grades. I also took the 7am run and early training session on both days before the classes were split between myself and Craig into 9th – 4th Kyu and 3rd Kyu upwards. Training was 10am to Midday and from 3pm to 5pm on both the Saturday and the Sunday. The course concluded with a 9am session on the Monday morning with all the grades training under Craig, thus giving me the opportunity the train alongside them. 

France Gallery 2007 - HERE

Besides the Karate training itself there was plenty of BBQ's, Karaoke, Ball Games and relaxing in the sun. It would be very difficult for me to write a review of the course as I was involved throughout with so much teaching so I will leave it up to the students to do so. The kind words I received after the course by text and email were really humbling and I cannot say thank you enough to those students who made the journey over from the UK and Italy. I must also say a huge thank you to Herqueville's own Jeremy Gardner who again assisted with some of the teaching and as always made everyone feel so welcome and at home at his beautiful manor.

 ‘Our weekend course to Herqueville with Sensei's Paul Herbert (4th Dan) and Craig Raye (5th Dan) offered more than just a weekends training! The attractive manor and grounds fit perfectly with our size of group and offered space to relax and play. The weekend gave our group a great opportunity to bond with each other and our instructors. The training itself was a healthy mix of Kihon, Kata, application and some pad work. It was my first time training under Craig Sensei and I enjoyed his quick style of teaching combination on top of combination. One session featured Paul Sensei's break down of Heian Godan and its applications. As always, his applications were effective and juicy!’

‘From the moment we read the flyer advertising the training camp in France we were captivated by the idea. We immediately requested a place, and when we didn't get a reply from our email the next day, called! We were concerned that places would go like hot cakes. Fortunately we got a place, and were able to go. The whole experience was fantastic, better than we had expected. The training was top class, the location enchanting, the food tasty and plentiful, the company very friendly and hospitable and the atmosphere relaxed. Without a doubt, if the opportunity presents itself again, we will be back.’

‘Spending the second weekend away that I've spent in Herqueville, has only fortified what I thought since the first time we went, not only was it great to meet new people, but it brought the rest of the club closer together, and puts things on a more personal level with not only my fellow students, but my instructor also. These weekends help my karate out more than I anticipate, both physically and mentally, just when you think your body won't let you move any more, or when you think your mind couldn't take in more knowledge, you take a look at the team spirit and see every one else’s enthusiasm, and you instantly feel regenerated, and a new spark, pushes you bust out another couple of hours training. Coming home after doing 7 hours of training a day, seems like a surreal reality, but the first day back at the home dojo, seemed just as refreshing as the first day training after passing a grading. A true sense of achievement’

Saturday 12th May 2007
Shobu Ippon International Shotokan Open 2007 ~ Guildford Spectrum, Surrey

2007 saw the International Shobu Ippon Open retain its crown as the premier Shotokan competition in Europe. The championship attracted approx 1000 competitors to the Guildford Spectrum in Surrey and produced a day of outstanding Karate.

Dartford SKC came away with two trophies from the championship and a 2007 champion with Sonny Sheppard winning the boys under 5ft Kumite division for a second year running.  Sonny produced a series of well timed punches and kicks throughout his fights to reach the final and eventually took the championship title with an excellent kick/punch combination.

Tommy Turner produced a spirited display to take the runners up spot in the Boys over 5ft category. A very close final saw Tommy desperately unlucky to beat his much bigger opponent but take a well deserved trophy for 2nd place.

Dartford SKC ’s Tom Turner & Sonny Sheppard with Sensei Paul

Sonny Sheppard blocks and counters with Gyaku-Zuki

Also a big well done to Keiran Jones, Chloe Jones, Jonny Heskins, Ben Leaver, Dave Berry, Rhiannon Davies and Emma Robins who all represented Dartford SKC and did us proud, most missing out on medals at the quarter final stage. Well done everyone and I know that a good day was had by all who attended. This experience will push the club further on next time.

Congratulations to the organisers Darren Jumnoodoo and Simon Staples on an excellent championship and I’m sure that everyone is already looking forward to next years championship scheduled for 10th May 2008 . 

Sunday 25th March 2007
7th Legends National Shotokan Championships ~ Bournemouth, Dorset

Dartford SKC had a very successful day at the ‘Legends’ National Karate Championship in Littledown, Bournemouth picking up five trophies and producing a men’s kumite champion in Ben Leaver.

Senior Results

Ben Leaver – Men’s Kyu Grade Kumite Champion 2007
Emma Robins – 2nd Place Senior Ladies Black & Brown Belt Kata
Rhiannon Davies – 2nd Place Senior Ladies Black & Brown Belt Kumite
Dave Berry – 2nd Place Men’s Kyu Grade Kata

Junior Results

Karmann Damiral – 2nd Place Mixed Black & Brown Belt Kata

Thursday 15th March 2007
Special Course with Sensei Dave Hazard (7th Dan) ~ Dartford SKC

Dave Hazard Sensei – 7th Dan Shotokan Legend

With a bag over my shoulder I set off alone for Dartford at 9.30. I knew it was going to be long trip so I had packed my ‘Roy Chubby Brown’ Autobiography and my notepad for the train ride just in case I had an epiphany and needed to write it down.

Surprisingly enough, no epiphany came; instead rude conductors who I swore I was going to comment on in my write-up herded me cattle-like into the train.

The ride in fact was not all too bad, and when I got off my final train in Dartford I was met by Paul Herbert who was there to kindly collect me from the Train station.

After a great afternoon we set off for the course, which was to be held at Paul’s dojo at the Darenth Community Primary School in Dartford. After a setting everything up for the course, Sensei Hazard arrived, shortly followed by Terry Oliver who I had never met before, but quickly came to learn was a very open man and karateka.

After a nice long warm up before the course, Sensei called line up for the all-grades session. Wherever we train with Sensei Hazard, we always train on the mixed grade classes. We always learn so much from these sessions, and this class was no exception.

Sensei taught a foot movement combination involving a step into zenkutsu-dachi, shifting into kokutsu-dachi, then back into zenkustu-dachi. This was the junior grades sequence, replacing kokutsu-dachi with nekoashi-dachi for the seniors. After working on the leg movements, we added the arms oi-tsuki, gedan barai and gyaku-tsuki.

Sensei Hazard has this exceptional ability to take a relatively simple sequence and open your eyes to things you had never before considered. Everything in his karate serves a purpose, and when he teaches, he opens your eyes to a standard of karate that you rarely see elsewhere.

This session presented a challenging type of body movement, with all of us struggling I’m sure to get that transition from zenkutsu-dachi to nekoashi-dachi to flow properly. Sensei however gave us some great pointers about nekoashi-dachi and the movement into and out of it, which helped to no end. When this sequence was then placed with a partner we really got to see how Sensei’s earlier points really affected how they work against a real target.

The second session of the night dealt with ‘Sochin’ for the brown and black belts. When Paul and I talked about the course I had mentioned that I would like to learn Sochin under Sensei Hazard.

For me, this kata has been an enemy of mine since I was younger, and I had always struggled to make this kata sit nicely on me. Despite feeling that Sochin would never be ‘My’ kata, I knew if there were one Instructor who could change my mind it would be Sensei Hazard. And my god did he.

Sensei Hazard opened my eyes to a kata I had never liked or enjoyed performing, so much so that since that course, Sochin has been the kata I have practiced most. Like Hangetsu, this is a strong rooted rather than a lightening speed kata, which Sensei perfectly illustrated when he talked about how this kata should be performed. He mentioned that if you practice all your kata with the same intent, then they all start to become the same. He said each kata has their own personality and they should be performed accordingly.

With this in our minds, Sensei Hazard really did get the best out of us, and by the end of the class I certainly felt connected to the kata. Before I had, as Sensei puts it ‘Made shapes’, but after his tuition, I was executing the kata with a more accurate mental approach.

Punctuated throughout this class, Sensei taught us kata application, and this got us all very excited. With brilliant control and skill Sensei highlighted the finer points of the kata paying meticulous detail especially to sequence just before the first kiai. This applicated sequence had us all sweating up and down the hall, all with the determined mindset of Sochin.

This course as usual was a terrific insight into what karate is truly all about. In karate, I can at times place personal limitations on my abilities, whether subconsciously or on purpose. Sensei Hazard however has a pedagogical skill that motivates you to the point that you push beyond what you believe you could do. For example, if we’re doing a punching sequence on a Dave Hazard course, I can punch much faster than if I were training elsewhere. My body hasn’t changed for the course, but Sensei Hazard knows exactly which taps to turn to get you working better and harder than you normally would. So if there’s anyone on the course thinking how bad I was, please don’t imagine what I’m like when I’m not on a Dave Hazard course ha ha.

Over the years, Paul Herbert who runs Shoto Promotions has hosted some of the top instructors in the world, the likes of Senseis Dave Hazard, Craig Raye, Ronnie Christopher, Terry O’Neill, Richard Amos, Harry Cook and Simon Staples. The course was a great turn out, big enough for a great atmosphere to brew, but small enough that you get a degree of personal tuition. Shotokan Wayer’s, please do keep an eye out for some of the excellent courses going on at Dartford SKC as you’ll kick yourself if you miss some of the courses that Paul has lined up for the future!!!

Sunday 19th November 2006
Black & Brown Belt Class with Sensei Frank Brennan (6th Dan KUGB) – Edgware, London

Sensei Frank Brennan of the KUGB is a Shotokan phenomenon, a one off, a modern day master. I personally don’t think there are enough words to describe him. Despite a list of competition achievements in both kata and kumite that could match anyone in the history of Karate, Sensei Brennan is far from being a just a ‘sport’ Karate-Ka. He possesses a strong Budo attitude and ‘kihon-waza’ that surpasses many of his Japanese peers.  

Sensei Frank Brennan of the KUGB with Dartford SKC’s Paul Herbert

Sensei Brennan commenced the class with a simple ‘Kizami-Zuki/Gyaku-Zuki’ combination with emphasis placed on the thrust of the first punch and snap on the second. ‘Yoko-Kekomi’ and ‘Uraken/Gyaku-Zuki’ was added to the combination and performed slowly up and down the dojo with importance placed on the correct mechanics of each movement. Sensei Brennan then stressed the importance of correct attitude and the effect it has performing at maximum speed. The class then stepped up a gear with Sensei Brennan drilling the class at full speed over and over again through the punch/punch/kick/punch/punch combination.

Everyone in the class then paired off against partners to work on some ‘kumite’ techniques, the first off being a single step/double ‘Gyaku-Zuki’ movement. Sensei Brennan then taught 3 drills to counter a basic ‘Oi-Zuki’ attack. The first was a step to the side, and simple ‘Gyaku-Zuki’ counter. The second was a switch of stance and ‘Mawashi-Geri/Chudan Enpi’ counter. The third and final counter was a front leg ‘Ura-Mawashi-Geri/Gyaku-Zuki’ movement. After many repetitions of each drill at varying speeds, came the attacks and counters at full measure. To me, the feel and atmosphere in the class was very reminisant of an Enoeda Sensei class, probably added by my friend and former Marshall Street team mate Craig Raye training alongside me as well as some of the current KUGB England squad.

On the back of a fantastic training session, I must express my sincere thanks to Trevor Mitcham and the KUGB’s Makenki Dojo for their kind invitation to train with Sensei Brennan and for their kind hospitality.

Friends & former Marshall Street team mates – Craig Raye & Paul Herbert

Frank Brennan: Sensei Frank Brennan competed in British, European and World Championships for over 20 years and became a champion and grand-champion at all levels. With perhaps the most prolific record in national, continental and international competition in recent history, Sensei Brennan has two world titles, four European titles and ten national titles (in a row) to his name. Sensei Brennan's unique and wide ranging abilities made him equally adept in both Kata and Kumite. He is very well known and respected throughout the world and was honoured by the late grand master of the JKA, Masatoshi Nakayama as the most outstanding competitor of the JKA World Championship in 1980.

Sunday 29th October 2006
Sensei Paul Herbert Demonstration ~ S.K.E National Championships – Enfield, London

Dartford SKC chief instructor Paul Herbert was joined by senior students John Sheppard and Terry Dunn to perform a special demonstration as guests of Sensei Rod Butler at the Shotokan Karate England national championships.

Sensei Paul performing ‘Uchi-Uke-Kamae’ during Gankaku

Sensei Paul started the demonstration by performing Gankaku at medium speed to demonstrate each of the kata’s individual techniques and combinations. Sensei Paul then applied the entire kata at full speed against dual attackers, showcasing an array of blocks, punches, kicks, strikes, chokes, sweeps and throws.

Sensei Paul applying ‘Ashi-Barai’ during the Bunkai to Gankaku

After the demonstration Sensei Paul exchanged some very special words with Mrs Reiko Enoeda, the championships guest of honour and wife of the late Sensei Keinosuke Enoeda.  

Friday 27th October 2006
Special Dojo Class with Shihan Keigo Abe ~ 8th Dan – Ashford, Kent

Saturday 21st October 2006 - Monday 23rd October 2006
1st International Shotokan Training Camp ~ Herqueville Manor – Rouen, France

A special 3-day training camp held at the beautiful Herqueville Manor in Rouen, France saw students from such associations as the ASK, KUGB and JKAE make the 500km round trip across the English channel to train with special guest instructor Paul Herbert and course host Jeremy Gardner. The course comprised of eleven hard training sessions but also some great partying and lots of fun.

Herqueville Manor - 2006 Shotokan Gassuku

Despite arriving at Herqueville Manor around 5am on the Saturday morning, Paul Sensei commenced the weekends training at 7am with the first of three early morning classes entitled ‘Fundamentals & Fitness’. These sessions all started with a run around the country lanes of Rouen and the grounds of the manor. After these runs and following callisthenics, Paul Sensei took the enthusiastic students through 40-minutes of basic techniques, various kata and a selection of 5, 3 and 1 step kumite. The final 20 minutes of these sessions comprised of sprints, shuttle runs, races and a good warm down before heading back into the house for a well earned breakfast.

The second session on Saturday took place at 11am and saw the two instructors split the class down into two sections with Paul Sensei taking the Brown & Black Belts through the Kanku-Dai whilst Jeremy Sensei took the Kyu grades through the Heian Kata. The third and final class of the morning saw all the grades come together again for a lively pad-work and impact training session overseen by Jeremy Sensei.

The afternoon sessions kicked off at 3.30pm with Paul Sensei again taking the senior grades, this time through a ‘Functional Fundamentals’ session where he took a basic ‘Shotokan’ punch/block combination and evolved it for street application. The same was also done with a basic kicking sequence. Whilst this was going on, Jeremy Sensei took the Kyu grades through a selection of techniques and concepts that could be used during 1-step sparring. The fifth and final session on Saturday saw Paul Sensei take all the students through some competition kumite drills with emphasis placed on timing and footwork.

After a great evening of BBQ, a Karate DVD show, brilliant Karaoke and well deserved sleep, Sunday saw the two instructors swap classes with Jeremy Sensei taking the senior grades and Paul Sensei working with the Kyu grades. For the seventh class of the weekend, Jeremy Sensei worked on kumite kicking techniques with the brown and black belts whilst Paul Sensei broke down kokutsu-dachi and Heian Nidan with the lower grades. Just like the Saturday, the two classes combined for session eight - a grappling and groundwork class that was followed by a competition for the adults in which both instructors competed. Paul Sensei took the honours in a lively and bloody, but fun - rough and tumble event. Great support was given, and great fun was had by the watching junior students.

Herqueville Manor – Rouen, France 2006

After some lunch and a few hours spent enjoying Rouen, it was time to drag our now very weary bodies to the afternoon sessions. Jeremy Sensei spent the first session with the senior grades working on defence against kicks with some take-down techniques. For the Kyu grades it was a break-down of the four basic kicking techniques with Paul Sensei and emphasis on applying them effectively against an opponent. The final class of Sunday (Class 10) saw the two groups come together for another session of line-up, impact and pad work. Students were shown how to apply a selection of basic and advanced strikes to moving targets with maximum power. On the Sunday evening after a lovely final meal, Paul Sensei and his students from Dartford SKC presented Jeremy Sensei with a signed copy of Dave Hazard/Aidan Trimble’s book ‘Fundamental Karate’.

And so the eleventh and last session of the weekend saw a depleted number of students (Sunday was a very good night) drag themselves from their beds for one last 7am class with Paul Sensei and I think those who trained were made to suffer on behalf of those who chose to stay in bed. We will have our revenge next year!! 

All in all it was a fantastic weekend and now an even bigger and better course with the addition of another guest instructor is being planned for 2007. Keep an eye on www.dartfordskc.co.uk , www.shotopromotions.co.uk and www.herqueville.com for further details.

Watch Herqueville Karaoke King Terry : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HYpDzjisS0

Jeremy Gardner: Jeremy has been involved in martial arts since 1974 aged 15, having sneaked in underage to watch “Enter the Dragon” at the local cinema. After joining the “Sunderland Academy of Martial Arts” and “Sunderland Sendai”, Jeremy graded shodan in Shotokan in 1978 while at Leeds University. Training under Bob Rhodes he passed nidan in 1981.  After leaving college the next five years were spent in Singapore where he took up Goju Ryu at the Singapore MYMCA. During this time, Jeremy married Soon Mui, whom he had met a while back at Leeds University, Soon Mui was awarded shodan in Shotokan in 1981 and was the 1981 Northern Universities Ladies Kata champion. After grading to shodan in Goju in 1986, Jeremy won the Singapore Goju championship and represented Singapore internationally. Returning to the UK Jeremy trained at Shotokan clubs in Montrose and Orpington, and then spent about 5 years with the Croydon Ren-Bu-Kan Wado Ryu dojo in South Norwood, grading to nidan in 1996. Returning once again to Shotokan he now trains with his twin teenage sons, Jeremy and Marcus, who both achieved JKA shodan’s in 2005.

Paul Herbert: Paul has been involved in the Martial Arts since 1984 aged 9, holding the grade of 4th Dan JKA since 2002. Paul is a former student of Master Enoeda and a member of his very successful Marshall St and Budokwai (kumite and kata) teams. A former (JKA) English, (KUGB) British and (JKA & various All-Styles) International Karate champion, Paul has competed all over the world and is now in demand as an international instructor. Paul is currently part of a team of experienced instructors that make up part of Dave Hazard Sensei’s respected ASK association. Paul has run the Dartford SKC dojo in Kent, UK since 1996 which has produced many good karate-ka and trained numerous Karate champions.   

* Review taken from The Shotokan Way website   

Sunday 13th August 2006
Open London Course with Sensei Paul Herbert (4th Dan) ~ LSC College - Leyton, London E10

Well what can I say about Sensei Paul’s open course? I crawled out of the dojo along with everyone else absolutely shattered but thoroughly exhilarated and looking like a bit of a tomato. In the lower grade lesson Sensei Paul took us through a series of spins whilst adding blocks and counters and eventually we paired up with one another to put the sequences into practice. While the techniques were pretty simple, we were shown how to effectively use them in real life situations and demonstrations left no room for doubt as to whether they would work or not.

In the second part of the lesson, Sensei Paul started off with some of the basics we had done in the first class but adapted them for higher grades. We then began to concentrate on kicking, especially ura-mawashi geri. We partnered up and put a sequence including the new kick into practise and it was highly rewarding when we could finally hear the ‘slapping’ noise we were supposed to make when hitting our target. There were legs flying everywhere the first time we tried this kick but it got better and I got concussion from being smacked hard in the head...that was brilliant.

Throughout the lesson, we concentrated on evading and countering as opposed to using brute strength to defeat an opponent. After pairing up with several different people, at the end, we made our way back to our original partners and performed the sequence one last time where the change in everyone’s speed and sharpness was obviously apparent.

All in all, it was one of the best training sessions I have had for a very long time. It was so much fun as well as amazingly tiring with Sensei Paul shouting “10 MORE! Full speed and power and loads of spirit!” I can not wait until the next course; everyone should get the chance at least once to train with Sensei Paul as it would definitely be worth their while.

Report by Shamim Vorajee - JKA England

July 2006
Sensei Paul Herbert featured in Traditional Karate Magazine - Vol 19, No 11

Dartford SKC chief instructor Paul Herbert recently adorned the cover as the lead feature in the July 2006’s edition of the well established and world renowned Traditional Karate Magazine.

Sensei Paul was extremely honoured to be the featured in such a respected magazine and was humbled to have the front-cover dedicated to his interview. Paul can remember his parents buying him the very first edition of Traditional Karate back in June 1987 and so appearing on the magazine himself nineteen years later was a very special accolade. The July 2006 edition featuring Sensei Paul was a sell-out all over the UK.

In the open and forthright interview, Paul spoke of his beginnings in Karate-do, his experience’s training under renowned Sensei like Keinosuke Enoeda and Dave Hazard, his competition career and the aims of Shoto Promotions.  Paul also sparked some controversy with his thoughts on the politics involved amongst many Karate organisations.

However, despite its controversial nature the article received positive reviews from many Karate-Ka all over the world and Paul was touched and surprised by some of the senior instructors who contacted him to express their support and concur with his comments. Paul said ‘To have appeared in a magazine that has, over the years featured some of my hero’s and true legends of Karate-Do like Enoeda Sensei is a real honour and something of which I will always be very, very proud.’

You can read a copy of the Traditional Karate interview here

Thursday 27th July 2006
Special Open Course with Sensei Ronnie Christopher (6th Dan) ~ Dartford SKC, Kent

Ronnie Christopher has a formidable pedigree as a karate competitor; The former two-time World Team Champion has also been European Team Champion – Five Times, KUGB National Kumite Champion – Four Times, KUGB Shotokan Cup Champion – Four Times and was also a 4 times EKB All-Styles Champion. These are just a few of Sensei Christopher’s achievements in the competition arena and what makes it all the more impressive is that his success came during the ‘golden-era’ of British and arguably World karate competition.

Ronnie Christopher with the Dartford SKC chief instructor Paul Herbert

So with the temperature hitting over 100 degrees, Karate-ka from numerous associations and ranging from white belt to 5th Dan packed into the Dartford SKC dojo. Sensei Christopher structured both classes based on applications from Heian Kata’s - Shodan,Nidan and Sandan, but also spent time talking about the importance of making kicking techniques functional.

One thing Ronnie Christopher can count on is experience and his statement of ‘Trust me, I’m a scientist – I’ve experimented out in the field!!!’ bought smiles and laughter from all in attendance when he gave his opinions of what did, and what didn’t work.   

Saturday 13th May 2006
Shobu Ippon International Shotokan Open 2006 ~ Guildford Spectrum, Surrey

This year saw the Shobu Ippon Open become one of the premier Shotokan competitions events in Europe. The championship attracted approx 420 competitors to its new venue of the Guildford Spectrum in Surrey and produced a day of outstanding Karate.

Dartford SKC came away with four trophies from the championship and a 2006 champion with Sonny Sheppard winning the boys under 5ft Kumite division.  Sonny produced a series of well timed punches throughout his fights to reach the final and eventually took the championship title with an excellent Oi Zuki.

Tommy Turner produced a spirited display to take the runners up spot in the over Boys over 5ft category despite standing only 4’ 8” (blame his dad’s lack of measuring skills).  A very close final saw Tommy desperately unlucky to beat his towering opponent but take a well deserved trophy for 2nd place.

Tommy Turner battles his way to the final

Dave Berry picked up another runners-up trophy in the men’s novice to 7th kyu kumite. Fighting in his first competition after only 4 months training, Dave took the fight to his smaller yet quicker opponent. Sadly speed became the deciding factor and after a close exchange the point in the dying seconds went to Dave’s opponent.

Ben `Iron Fists’ Leaver fought well to take another trophy for Dartford when he came third also in the men’s novice to 7th kyu division. A well timed but `slightly’ heavy gyaku-zuki in the semi-final saw Ben disqualified and robbed of a chance to fight club-mate Dave Berry in the championship final.

Dartford’s Ben Leaver & Dave Berry with Sensei Paul

Dartford SKC Results 2006

Sonny Sheppard – 2006 Shobu Ippon Champion - Boys Under 5ft Kumite
David Berry – 2nd Place Men’s Novice to 7th Kyu Kumite
Tommy Turner – 2nd Place Boys over 5ft Kumite
Ben Leaver – 3rd Place Men’s Novice to 7th Kyu Kumite

Under 5ft Champion, Sonny Sheppard waits for an opening

Also a big well done to Nikita Fitton, Emma Deakon, Sam Reeves and Christopher Smith who all represented Dartford SKC in their first competition. Well done everyone and I know that a good day was had by all who attended.

Congratulations to the organisers Darren Jumnoodoo and Simon Staples on an excellent competition and I’m sure that everyone is already looking to next year’s championship. 

Wednesday 3rd May 2006
JKA/WF Scotland Course with Sensei Yoshiharu Osaka (8th Dan JKA) and Sensei Jim Wood MBE (6th Dan JKA) ~ Dunfermline, Scotland

On Wednesday 3rd May 2006 I flew up to Scotland and was proud to be a guest of Sensei Jim Wood MBE at his very special JKA course and grading with Sensei Yoshiharu Osaka.

Jim Wood MBE, Osaka Sensei & Paul Herbert - Scotland 2006

This special evening for JKA/WF Scotland consisted of two classes, both broken in half with Sensei Osaka and then Sensei Wood teaching a segment each. Sensei Osaka’s session consisted of stepping, turning and spinning movements. He also explained by demonstration the correct hip rotation when performing these techniques before moving onto the practice of the kata - Heian Nidan.

It was my honour to assist Sensei Osaka throughout his class and translate his Japanese and technical points to the 100 plus students whenever possible.
The second half of the first class was taken by Sensei Wood, a tenacious Karate-ka who graded to the rank of 6th Dan in Japan itself. Again, this part of the class focused on correct hip movement and then the correct kimae when punching and kicking.

The first half of the second session was again taken by Sensei Osaka. This class was more kumite orientated with Sensei’s emphasis on circular movement around the attacker and also the art of sliding in and away when attacking.  

Sensei Wood took the final part of the class and took us through the kata – Enpi.. Emphasis was placed on the correct JKA timing of the kata and also its embusen (performance line). Sensei Wood was very meticulous in his instruction but also made the session highly enjoyable. The course was concluded with a JKA Dan grading conducted by both Sensei’s.

After the session I was invited to join both Sensei’s for a Chinese meal and I must take this opportunity to express my gratitude to everyone involved with JKA/WF Scotland for their fantastic hospitality during my stay. I must also directly thank my friend and colleague Jim Wood for his kind invitation.
Jim Wood / JKA/WF Scotland: http://jimwoodjka.com/

Tuesday 2nd May 2006
S.K.E Special Course with Sensei Willy Ortiz (7th Dan) ~ Chingford, London

In what was turning out to be a very busy Karate week for me I travelled to London’s east-end on Tuesday evening to train with Sensei Willy Ortiz, the chief instructor of JKA Finland. Hosted by my friend Rod Butler, the chief instructor of Shotokan Karate England and author of the excellent ‘Enoeda’ book, the course attracted a large turn out of mixed grades and ages.

Rod Butler, Willy Ortiz & Paul Herbert - London 2006

Sensei Ortiz, who I was first introduced to at the JKA European Championships in Tampere, Finland by Enoeda Sensei in 2001, spent the first session working on the correct use of the hips when stepping, blocking and punching in basic kihon-waza drills. This was then applied to the movements of Heian Shodan. The session was very typical of a JKA instructor.

The second session of the evening (3rd kyu upwards) concentrated on kata application with the chosen kata’s being the previously practised Heian Shodan but also Heian Nidan and Bassai Dai. After the kata were performed a few times Sensei Ortiz spent time talking a little bit about the history of Karate, the kata’s and the attitude that should be behind their techniques. It was refreshing from a JKA instructor that when it came to the applications, they were done against authentic attacks and adjusted to suit different body-types.

The course in all was very enjoyable and I’d like to express my thanks to Rod for his kind invitation to attend.

Shotokan Karate England: www.shotokan-karate-england.co.uk

Sunday 30th April 2006
Special 1-Day Course with Sensei Terry O’Neill (7th Dan KUGB) ~ Nottingham

Sensei Terry O’Neill is without doubt a legendary figure within Shotokan Karate all around the globe. However, it is not just as a Shotokan Karate-ka that he should be recognized. Sensei O’Neill’s knowledge and competence in many Karate styles and the Martial Arts in general separate him from many of his contemporaries around today.

Paul Herbert, Terry O'Neill & Simon Oliver - Nottingham 2006

I always enjoy training with Sensei O’Neill as much for his insight and views into other fighting arts as for his general Karate classes. This 1-day seminar was no different and concentrated on the genre of Karate being applied as effective self defence.

The majority of techniques taught were defence against various grabs and holds and were taken from both the basic and advanced Shotokan kata’s. Sensei O’Neill also worked on numerous variations of Ashi-Barai (leg sweeps) and take-downs. It was also interesting (and painful) to cover a number of chokes and strangles with Sensei Simon Oliver, who’s dojo hosted the ‘Budo Promotions’ course.

Thursday 16th March 2006
Special Open Course with Sensei Dave Hazard (7th Dan) ~ Dartford SKC

As a legend of Shotokan Karate and one of the busiest and in demand instructors around, it is always a pleasure to have Sensei Hazard teaching at my own Dartford dojo. It is also nice to see my own students getting the opportunity to train under my instructor and a Karate-ka who continues the legacy of Enoeda Sensei. The course with Sensei Hazard was broken down into two special classes with students from many different Shotokan associations braving a freezing cold south east evening.       

The first class featured students of all ages ranging from 10th Kyu beginner all the way through to senior 5th Dan karate-ka. Despite this huge gap in experience and ability, Sensei Hazard put together an hour long class that was beneficial and enjoyable to all in attendance. As well as emphasising and explaining the importance of correct etiquette, Sensei covered many technical points in both Kihon and pre-arranged Kumite. These included correct breathing, distance, timing and use of the hips.

The second class of the evening was geared towards senior grades only and the content of this session was the Shotokan kata – Gankaku. This class again demonstrated Sensei Hazard’s amazing ability to take a kata and make all of its techniques and movement relevant and highly effective within a self defence environment.

A former KUGB national kata champion and England coach, Sensei stressed the importance of training the kata for functionality and not just for performance purposes. No movements were done just for the sake of them - everything had applied purpose and was far from just making a shape. On a few occasion, Sensei referred to invaluable lessons on Gankaku that he himself had taken with Sensei’s Nakayama and Enoeda.

With time against him (only 1hr 45m), Sensei only really scratched the surface of this Kata and explained that it would take close to 4 hours to cover it properly with all the points he would’ve liked to get across. Despite this claim, I’m sure that everyone who trained took away numerous aspects to work on and information that would without doubt improve not only their Gankaku, but many of their other kata.

May I express my personal thanks to Sensei Hazard and to all the students who attended this excellent Shoto Promotions endorsed event. Sensei Hazard is back at Dartford SKC on 14th September 2006 – full details are on www.shotopromotions.co.uk.  

Wednesday 18th August 2005
Special Open Course with Sensei Dave Hazard (7th Dan) ~ Dartford SKC

On Tuesday 23rd September 2005, we had the pleasure of welcoming Sensei Dave Hazard back to Dartford SKC for a special open course. Sensei Hazard (7th Dan) taught two special classes to a group of around 50 students from numerous associations around Great Britain, with grades ranging all the way from 9th Kyu to 5th Dan.

As always, Sensei Hazard inspired all those in attendance with his passion, enthusiasm and the sheer effectiveness of his Karate. Sensei Hazard's is simply awesome. The sessions, which continually stressed the importance of correct training and good basics was split into two sections. The first class was open to all grades and concentrated on the fundamentals of basic technique and its effective application. The second session was specifically catered for 3rd Kyu students and above with an emphasis on Functional Kicking. Sensei Hazard took Maegeri, Yoko Kekomi, Yoko Keage and Mawashi Geri and set them out in a basic kihon combination before applying them in a set of both competition and self-defence scenarios against a partner. At all times, Sensei hazard emphasised the importance of correct breathing when kicking and its difference to that when punching. After a very physical and sweaty 2 hours, Sensei Hazard concluded the session by returning to the initial basic kicking combination where the improvement in everyone's technique and free-flow movement was plain to see. Sensei Hazard will be returning to Dartford SKC in March and August 2006. Visit www.shotopromotions.co.uk for further information on dates, times and venues.

Thursday 13th - Saturday 15th July 2005
Special 3-day course with Sensei Mikio Yahara (8th Dan) ~ Culford, Suffolk.

Throughout the 1970's and 80's, Sensei Yahara was notorious as the `bad boy' of Shotokan Karate. A product of the JKA instructor's class, he was a ferocious, dynamic and formidable fighter who by self-admission would have won more titles if he had not been so aggressive and attacking in his style.

His reputation at the JKA honbu was also fearsome and he would routinely pummel fellow karate-ka in kumite practice on a daily basis. Despite this reputation as a fighting machine, Sensei Yahara was also an all-Japan JKA kata champion and renowned for his performances of the kata Unsu. Since breaking away from the Asai faction of the JKA, Sensei Yahara now heads his own organisation, the KWF (Karate-no-michi World Federation) Over the years I'd heard many stories about this infamous Karate-ka but had never had the opportunity to train with him. Senior instructors like Dave Hazard, Richard Amos and Yoshinobu Ohta have all told me their own stories about training alongside and facing Mikio Yahara. So when the opportunity finally arose to train under him, I jumped at the chance.

Sunday 10th May 2005
Special Course with Sensei Andy Sherry
(8th Dan KUGB) ~ Chelmsford SKC

Sensei Sherry is truly one of the legends of British Shotokan Karate. He started training in the early 1960's with Sensei Kanazawa and after achieving his 1st Dan in 1966 he was instrumental in forming the Karate Union of Great Britain. As one of the most respected international competitors of his day, Sensei Sherry was a British grand champion and European kumite champion. He has also had many firsts in his long Karate career – he was Britain's first black belt, first 3rd Dan, first qualified international referee and held the highest rank ever awarded by the Japan Karate Association to a European – 7th Dan JKA.

Alongside his great mentor and friend Sensei Enoeda, his coaching and management of the KUGB national squad reached its peak at Sunderland in 1990, when the KUGB British team defeated Japan to win the World Shotokan Championships. When Sensei Enoeda passed away in 2003, Sensei Sherry became the Chief Instructor to the Karate Union of Great Britain.

As always, Sensei Sherry's classes were fast and furious. The first session was based around Kumite and the different distances and timings for both hand and then leg techniques. Then finally, the distance was closed and Sensei Sherry showed the use of various elbow strikes.

The second session of the day consisted of kata practice, with Sensei Sherry's choice for the Dan-grades being Meikyo (Rohai). Sensei Sherry focused on repetition and was very meticulous with each part of the kata in a way that reminded me of Sensei Enoeda. Throughout the course, Sensei Sherry motivated everyone to push harder and faster and lead by example demonstrating all the techniques himself with great speed, attitude and technical ability.

I must thank Jane Naylor-Jones for her kind invitation to train on this special KUGB course and express my appreciation to Sensei Sherry for his instruction and time both during and after the course.

Sunday 8th May 2005
Shobu-Ippon Shotokan Championship ~ Ditton, Kent

Full credit must be given to Darren Jumnoodoo of Thames Karate International and Simon Staples of the Academy Of Shotokan Karate for once again organising and running what is fast becoming the UK's premier open Shotokan Championship. Many of the UK's leading associations had competitors present and this year even saw karate-ka from Europe entered in the event.

Dartford SKC took a small squad to the championships consisting of Denis Pugnat (1st Dan), Reza Amirabgir (1st Dan), James Repsch (2nd Kyu) and Terry Dunn (1st Kyu). Although no medals were won at this year competition, the inexperienced team put in some spirited performances and gained some valuable experience to use in the future. Next years championship will take place on Saturday 13th May 2006 at the Guildford Spectrum in Surrey.

Friday 21st April 2005
Special Course with Sensei Richard Amos (6th Dan) ~ Dartford SKC

It was a real pleasure to have Sensei Richard Amos, the New York based chief instructor of the WTKO come down to my dojo and conduct an intimate class to a group of my friends and senior students.

Richard Amos at Dartford SKC Sensei Amos used the 2-hour session to teach the class a kumite based kata named Suishu (Mizu no te). This is one of Asai Sensei's training kata and roughly translated means Water Hands. Unsurprisingly, Suishu has a very fluent feel to it, much like Nijushiho from the 26 standard Shotokan kata. However, the feel of the kata really came to life when the class split into groups of 3 to perform its application in the form of kumite drills. All the attacks and defences were performed and practised against attacks from dual opponents and from both sides of the body. The pace of the session was intense and my quality training partners in Simon Staples (4th Dan ASK) and James Marshall (4th Dan JKA) ensured that there was very little time to rest or any margin for error. The class concluded with myself, Sensei Amos and Simon performing Suishu as a team, standing back to back with each other and facing off at 45 degrees. Despite the puzzlement we managed to finish the kata together and step back into shizentai facing the correct way. The session as a whole was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended and everyone must have taken ideas away to implement into their daily training. I must extend my thanks and gratitude to Richard for finding time on his flying visit to the UK to teach a class at Dartford SKC. Sensei Amos is a product of the instructor's class in Japan and in my opinion he is equal to all of his Japanese peers in both technical and teaching ability. Both in and out of the dojo, Richard Amos is a very humble and modest man and a tribute to Shotokan Karate and the WTKO.

Sunday 20th March 2005
ASK Course, Kyu & Dan Grading
with Sensei Hazard (7th Dan) ~ Nottingham

Congratulations to Dartford SKC's Denis Pugnat who passed his 1st Dan black belt under ASK chief instructor Sensei Dave Hazard at the Zanshin Dojo in Sneinton, Nottingham.

The Dan grading took place after a series of special pre-grading lessons with Sensei Hazard.

Sensei Hazard was assisted on the grading panel by ASK instructors, Simon Oliver (5th Dan) and Paul Herbert (4th Dan).

Aidan Trimble has been training for 33 years having started Karate around Nottingham in 1972. Sensei Trimble became the first ever SKI individual World kumite champion, winning the title in Tokyo, Japan in 1983. During his impressive competition career, Sensei Trimble was 3 times British kumite and kata champion, twice England all-styles kata champion and three times a European team kumite champion. In 1986, Sensei Trimble formed the Federation of Shotokan Karate (FSK) which now has clubs throughout Great Britain as well as associated international groups. Sensei Trimble has also co-written the book `Fundamental Karate' and co-produced three volumes of DVD entitled `Applied Karate' with good friend, colleague and ASK chief instructor, Sensei Dave Hazard 7th Dan.

Aidan Trimble is one instructor whom I have often been advised to train with given the opportunity. Sensei Hazard recently told me that if I wanted to see someone who could really kick, then Aidan was the man to watch. A glowing reference from a karate-ka who himself has absolutely phenomenal kicking ability. When the opportunity arose to train with Sensei Trimble on a wet Sunday afternoon in Hemel Hempstead I jumped at the chance. Sensei Trimble was the guest instructor of Malcolm Phipps at the Seishinkai honbu dojo.

Sensei Trimble's warm up was vastly different from the traditional static type performed in most Shotokan dojos. It consisted mainly of ADS exercises (Active Dynamic Stretching) and it certainly got the muscles and lungs ready for the training session. The warm up included jogs, heel flicks, high knees, skips, cycles and leaping strides from one side of the dojo to the other. I have since used this method of warm up at my own dojo on a number of occasions and interestingly the students reportedly feel far better prepared to start training both physically and mentally.

Sensei Trimble started the session with the class travelling across the dojo with Tsugi-Ashi, the emphasis on loading the back leg to push off of. The initial movement was kept short with the rear leg being loaded with the ankle, knee and hip all in alignment. After a few repetitions of left and right Tsugi-Ashi back and forth across the dojo, Kizami-Zuki and Gyaku-Zuki were added to the movement. Each set was practised slowly, at medium speed and then at full speed with power and kiai.

The Gyaku-Zuki was removed from the movement to leave a simple but very dynamic Kizami-Zuki attack. Now after the completion of the Kizami, Sensei Trimble had the class perform Yori-Ashi into Kokutsu-Dachi, using the punching hand to make a Jodan-Nagashi-Uke. Finally after the completion of the block, the body weight was transferred forwards into Zenkutsu-Dachi with Gyaku-Zuki. Like the previous combination this was practised at three different speeds with many repetitions.

The practice of Tsugi-Ashi continued with the addition of kicking techniques. After the load, Kizami-Maegeri was performed off of the front leg and on completion Mae-Geri was performed from the back leg. The class then practised this drill with both Yoko-Kekomi and Mawashi-Geri. It was clear that everyone's movement was improving with the repetition of these training drills and this became even more apparent when they were applied against an opponent.

Sensei Trimble finished the session by putting the class through some Ju-Ippon Kumite. Many associations still insist on their higher grades performing this with Oi- Zuki and rear leg Mawashi-Geri. However like on the ASK syllabus, Sensei Trimble lead the attacks as Kizami-Zuki, Gyaku-Zuki, Mae-Geri, Yoko-Geri, Front leg Mawashi-Geri and Ushiro-Geri. Movement was put into drill and an obvious emphasis was placed on Tsugi-Ashi when attacking.

It was a great honour to train with Sensei Trimble, and I'd like to express my gratitude to Malcolm Phipps for another great course at his dojo. Sensei Trimble is back at Hemel Hempstead on Sunday 4th December 2005.

Paul Herbert with Sensei Trimble

The first class of the day was aimed at the kyu grade students. Sensei O'Neill spent a lot of time explaining to the class the importance of learning solid fundamentals and correct body timing. Emphasising that the technique and stance should complete simultaneously. This was an aspect that continued through all three of the day's classes.

During the second session of the day, Sensei O'Neill concentrated on footwork and producing a short kimae whilst continuously moving. He explained that the body didn't have to be stationary and locked in the traditional Shotokan sense to make kimae and power. The first drill was a continuous double step, double Gyaku-Zuki combination and the second was a Mae-Geri, Kizami-Zuki and Gyaku-Zuki arrangement.

The session progressed from basic form to practising these drills against an opponent and then finally using them as a set up for an Ashi-Barai and take down. Sensei O'Neill made sure that everyone understood how to break the opponent's balance and sweep correctly before having the class perform some hard and fast repetitions.

In the third and final session of the day, Sensei O'Neill taught the kata Nijushiho and explained his interpretation of some its Bunkai. The applications that were practised were both simple and effective. He quipped that Billy Higgins can usually find a head-butt and Ashi-Barai as bunkai to almost every movement in the 26 Shotokan kata. However, Sensei O'Neill stuck with the bunkai that he had learnt from Enoeda Sensei.

Throughout the course of the day, Sensei O'Neill spent a lot of time talking about the validity of techniques and the importance of keeping Karate-Do a fighting art. `Remember, Karate is not designed to improve your health' he stated `it's designed to destroy someone else's'.

Sensei O'Neill, like many karate-ka who have worked the doors is very aware from experience of the reality of what goes on outside of the dojo and talked about the types of adversary you find lurking in pubs, clubs and city centres. He also spoke about the effects that drink and now more commonly drugs have on would-be assailants. Although you can never fully replicate scenarios in the dojo, Sensei O'Neill stressed the need to always train with the correct attitude, intention and awareness.

After almost 6 hours training I prepared for the M1 and the 3-hour drive back down south. I had a long chat with Sensei O'Neill just prior to leaving Nottingham about our late Sensei, the KUGB and many other things. In my opinion, Sensei O'Neill is a true gentleman and both a Karate-ka and martial artist worthy of everyone's respect.

Sunday 19th December 2004
Special Course with Sensei Tomiko Mitsuoka (7th Dan) ~ London E11

Tomiko Mitsuoka has an enviable pedigree in Karate and has been a pioneer for ladies Shotokan for the past 40 years having begun her training in Japan during the early 1960's. She comes from a very formal and traditional lineage, commencing her training under Sensei Hirano, who himself was a student of Gichin Funakoshi and one of the original co-founders of the JKA. In 1973 she joined Sensei Kanazawa at the JKA honbu in Tokyo and spent the following 2 decades studying under him. Over the years, Sensei Mitsuoka has won 4 world kata championships and in August 2000 she successfully took the examination for 7th Dan with the WSKF.

So with introductions over, I made the short drive from Kent to Leyton in East London to train with Sensei Mitsuoka. The training itself was typically Japanese in its structure. Kihon and Kumite followed by Kata practice. The basics were intense and repetitive and reminded me of what I had experienced at the Takushoku University in Japan. To her credit, Sensei Mitsuoka joined in the majority of the class and lead by example encouraging strong spirit and lots of Kiai.

The majority of the basics practised were of intermediate syllabus level but Sensei Mitsuoka increased their difficulty by adding a 360-degree spin instead of a basic step to begin each combination. This ensured that balance, core stability and kime were tested to the limit. If the speed and repetition wasn't enough, Sensei Mitsuoka maintained the intensity by having the class perform press-ups and sit-ups between the combinations.

Sensei Mitsuoka concluded the first half of the class with a kumite drill utilising the techniques and movement practised during the earlier basics. The kumite involved a basic three-step attack consisting of jodan Oi-zuki, chudan Oi-zuki and chudan Mae-geri. The defence was made up of Nagashi-uke, a 360 degree spinning Uchi-uke and Gedan-barai off to an angle before countering with Gyaku-zuki.

For the second half of the class, Sensei Mitsuoka chose to teach the kata's Bassai Dai and Chinte. Bassai Dai was aimed predominately at the Kyu grades and Chinte at the seniors. The version of Chinte currently practised by the WSKF is the same form that I originally learnt under Sensei Enoeda. As you would expect from a 4-time world kata champion, Sensei Mitsuoka placed lots of emphasis on the sharpness, precision and kime of each individual technique.

I would like to express my thanks to Nasreen Shah of the Chikara dojo for her kind invitation to train with Sensei Mitsuoka.

Sunday 21st November 2004
Seminar with Professor Rick Clark (8th Dan) ~ Taunton, Somerset

Whilst visiting my good friend and excellent Karate-ka James Marshall down in Taunton, I had the pleasure of attending a seminar with the American pressure-point expert Professor Rick Clark. Prof. Clark was born on 4th December 1948 and began his lifelong study of the martial arts in 1962. Prof. Clark is the founder of Ao Denkou Jitsu and chief instructor to his own association the Ao Denkou Kai.

Ao Denkou roughly translates as Blue Lightning. Ao (Blue) is in respect to Chung Do Kwan (Blue Wave) which Prof. Clark studied from 1966 under Chung Nak Young. Denkou (lightning) is the `zing' of electricity you feel when a pressure point is struck or manipulated.

Prof. Clark conducted the 4-hour session in a very informal workshop fashion and with a great demeanour. The entire session was laced with humour and professionalism clearly gained from years working the seminar circuit. On this occasion the class was structured around Bunkai taken from various Heian and Pinnan kata.

I was lucky; depending on how you see it that Prof. Clark used me for the majority of his demonstrations throughout the session. Lucky in the sense that I was able to sample the techniques first hand without any doubt to their effectiveness. Unlucky in that the majority of them hurt… a lot.

The Bunkai was all applied against the type of attacks that you would realistically find yourself dealing with in today's society. Pushes, grabs, head-butts, headlocks, straight leg kicks and a variety of punches. It is my opinion that far too many Karate instructors teach kata application as a defence against karate techniques. This is fine for learning the kata movements but for developing an effective self-defence system I disagree.

Sure I took negatives away from this session. For example I found a handful of the techniques shown to be over-complex and not suited to my own ideas. I would also argue that some of the pressure points would be relatively ineffective when covered or shielded by more clothing than just a do-gi. However, the majority of the techniques taught were direct, simplistic and highly effective.

Prof. Clark had the class understanding that there is much more to kata than what is initially obvious and that when practised correctly, the contents of kata can make up the components of an effective self-defence system. I took ideas and concepts away from the seminar that I have already implemented into my own training and would certainly recommend training with Prof. Clark to anybody who gets the opportunity.

Professor Rick Clark will be returning to the UK in 2006 and plans are already in place to bring him to the south-east for a special seminar as a guest of Dartford SKC and Shoto Promotions.

Thursday 2nd September 2004
Special Course with Sensei Richard Amos (6th Dan) ~ Ashford, Kent

The Park Farm Recreation Centre in Ashford, Kent was the venue for a special two-hour training session with Sensei Richard Amos, the New York based chief instructor of the World Traditional Karate Organisation (WTKO).

Born in England in 1963, Richard Amos began karate at age 10. Occasionally teaching from as young as 15, he was invited onto the KUGB Junior Karate Team at 18. By the age of 23 he had competed in England and Europe gaining many Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in numerous championships.

After a two-year sojourn in New York, he went to Japan to train at the headquarters of the Japan Karate Association and stayed 10 years. During that time he completed the 3-year instructor's program of the JKA (only the 2nd Westerner ever to do so in its 50-year history). He placed second & third in the All-Japan Championships several times (no non-Japanese had ever reached the semi-finals before). Sensei Amos also taught many classes each week over a 6-year period in the headquarters of the JKA (another first) and opened his own school in the heart of Tokyo. 1998, He became grand champion at the JKS World championships in Switzerland.

In 2000, Sensei Amos moved to New York again, this time as an established professional karate instructor with an international reputation. He currently teaches everyday at the WTKO headquarters dojo on 63rd Street and 3rd Avenue in Manhattan.

Sensei Amos took the impromptu class whilst on a short visit to the UK. With the grades in attendance ranging from 10th Kyu all the way up to 4th Dan, Sensei Amos concentrated on teaching the fundamental stance, Zenkutsu Dachi.

The class practised Gyaku Zuki and Mae Geri from this position, both from stationary and also with linear movement. However, the emphasis wasn't on the punches and kicks. These became secondary and were just a result of the correct body and core movement.

Sensei Amos placed most emphasis on the correct use of the hips, stomach, glutes and inner thighs. All these principles were then applied to turning and directional change and also to the kata Heian Shodan.

Despite such a wide range of grades participating in the class, everyone from the beginner students up to past and present international competitors took away valuable knowledge from the session.

Dartford SKC instructor Paul Herbert was lucky enough to attend the session and would like to express his thanks to Geoff Luker and Arthur Pollock for their kind invitation to train with Sensei Amos.

Friday 20th – Sunday 22nd August 2004
JKA Summer Course & Dan Gradings – The Spectrum, Guildford

Congratulations to Dartford SKC's Laura Steadman who successfully passed the examination for 2nd Dan at the 2004 JKA summer course in Guildford, Surrey.

Laura took her grading in front of senior JKA instructors, Sensei's Imamura, Imura, Ohta and Tomita. Laura was required to perform a series of combination techniques, kata's Bassai Sho and Jion and also e