| Another great event has come and gone. The weather was
absolutely gorgeous and half the session leaders showed up a day or so
earlier just to go to Destin Beach. This was a lot of fun...even more
fun than last year. The prep work to put an event like this together
isn't easy but getting to see old friends and make new friends always
makes it worthwhile. At some point, I realize this event is going to
get bigger and we'll lose some of the tightness & camaraderie this
past three events had. I've been to seminars where there were over
100 people in an hour session. Great for the instructor's ego and
host's pocket, but not so great for the participants. While I'd like
to see the event grow, it must be within reason or it ends up just
being a social event because no practical training can take place.
For the instructors that came out for this event, I can't say thank
you enough. I am humbled by your willingness to share your
experiences and teach martial arts. And without the participants,
this wouldn't happen. Bring a friend next year so we can make this
event grow.
Okay, on with the pictures! (please note that one of the camera's
had an incorrect date set)
Group Shot
Session Leaders
Grand Master Timmerman's Saturday Morning Session on
Short Sticks
Host's Notes: Grand Master Timmerman's Session using
short sticks was very interesting. Since no one wants to lead a
session at the same time he does, we just did one larger group
session. Nothing like changing the person's experience by applying a
little leverage with a 12" short stick. Master Janise is a great
example of this in the first picture.
   
   
   
  
Grand Master James McMurray's Rope Session
Host's Notes: I made an airport run and actually missed most of Grand Master
McMurray's Session using belts. Like Grand Master Timmerman, no one
really wants to lead a session at the same time he does, so again, we
just did one larger group session. The participants did comment that
the session went well.
   
   
   
Grand Master Timmerman's Soft Breaking Session
Host's Notes: Grand Master Timmerman's did a parking
lot session on "soft breaks." This is a totally "no power" type break
and seems to defy laws of breaking. Always a crowd pleaser.
   
   
Time with friends and various candids
Host's Notes: Every time I looked
around, people were smiling and having a great time. Mr Labossiere
(first picture) came all the way about 2800 miles from British
Columbia, Canada.
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
Host's Notes: Last two pictures is
my good buddy Master Hendrix. If you look at the second to last
picture, there is some powdery substance in the bottom of his glass of
sweet tea. By the looks of the last picture, much to his dismay, it
appeared to be some prankster's idea of a joke to pour half a salt
shaker into his glass. Some people never grow up.... :)
Master Kevin Janise's Pressure Point Session
Host's Notes: Master Janise went into a lot of detail
about pressure points and the flow of energy in the body. As you can
see by Mr Jackson's face (2nd & 3rd picture) and Mr Pitman's
expressions (last three pictures), Master Janise indeed has this down
to a science.
   
   
Mr Calvin Longton's Gun Disarming Class
Host's Notes: I've been to a lot of gun disarm
classes/courses and no one does it better than Mr Longton.
Some of the classes are more of a demonstration on "how to get
yourself killed" - not Mr Longton's. First class session and every
single session leader commented on how good his session was.
   
   
   
  
Master Troy Trudeau's Cane Session
Host's Notes: Master Trudeau did another Cane session
this year that seemed to draw a good amount of participants. I didn't
get a chance to take the session but Master Bledsoe and I spoke later
and he was complementary. By the lion share of participants, I'd say
it was a good session to partake.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Master Wesley Wing's Kicking Session
Host's Notes: Mr Wing is my former ATA instructor. He
is the best kicker I've ever trained with. His signature board break
maneuver is the blind folded jump reverse side kick through about five
boards. That's impressive regardless who does it - but considering
he's 55 years old and probably 155lbs, it's even more impressive. On
this session, he helped the participants get their spin and jump spin
kicks to work better.
   
  
Master Thomas Gordon's Close Quarter Self Defense
   
   
   
 
Master Monty Hendrix's Short Stick Session
Host's Notes: Master Hendrix did a double short stick
session using his years of training in Arnis. Everyone seemed to
enjoy the session - unfortunately I missed it due to my session
running at the same time.
   
   
  
Master Steve Kincade's Teuk
Gong Moo Sool Session
Host's Notes: I jumped in a few minutes late on this
session but was glad I was able to partake. He did a lot of
unbalancing and redirecting - good stuff.
   
  
Master Chris DuFour's Tang Soo Conditioning Board
Session
Host's Notes: I was doing Master Wing's kick session
when this session was going. Due to travel/schedule conflicts, this
session was only offered once. Master DuFour had a neat idea of
making your own conditioning board. He offered me one but I declined
- perhaps I can talk him into doing that again next year so I can make
my own.
   
  
Master Gregory Bledsoe's Session on Board Breaking
Host's Notes: I didn't get many pictures of this and
it's too bad. The people that took the session seemed to get a lot
out of the ways Master Bledsoe was showing on how to shift weight to
break boards. Some interesting breaks such as an open backhand,
backfist, and elbow speed break.
 
Master Monty Hendrix's Leg Lock Session
Host's Notes: Leg lock sessions always hurt. Master
Hendrix used his Hapkido and BJJ background to deliver a solid session
on how to lock up your attacker's leg.
   
   
Already started working on next year's event
(April 16-18, 2010) with confirmed guests of Grand Master Rudy
Timmerman (Canada), Grand Master James McMurray (Texas), Chief Master
Marlin Sims (Georgia), and Master Geoff Booth (Australia) along with
several master level instructors. |
