Empty Hands

Issue 1: October 2003 June 2003 March 2003 February 2003 January 2003

Welcome to Somerset Karate

Welcome to Somerset Karate. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support, patience and understanding during the recent changeover.

Somerset Karate still teaches Tsuen-Mo-Luen Karate, but you may find that some techniques have or may be altered slightly. Sempai Parkes, as Technical Director, is working very hard to iron out discrepancies that have appeared. This should bring everyone closer to the way Mr Lam teaches Tsuen-Mo-Luen. This in turn should mean that gradings are fairer and techniques will be more uniform. We know that it will be difficult to ’unlearn’ techniques but your patience, regular practise and persistence will pay off.

On the first Sunday of every month there will be sparring training held at Yeovil. This training will take place 12.30-1.30pm. Everyone is welcome to train in the lesson beforehand. The training will alternate between Grading sparring and tournament sparring. The association we now belong to has different sparring rules for tournaments than we are used to. Everyone is welcome to train and it is an excellent chance to practise techniques, whether you are actually going to take part in tournaments or not.

Attention Brown and Black Belt Owners

Somerset Karate is reinstating the compulsory Brown and Black belt lessons. These will take place on the second Sunday of every month. Please check the diary list. Attending at least half of these lessons is part of your grading. These lessons will take place in Yeovil, from 12.30-1.30pm, after the usual lesson. You are, of course, welcome to attend the normal lesson first.

Nippersaurus have arrived

The class for those students aged 5-7 years old which used to be called the Chop-A-Dile class is now the Nippersaurus Class. Members of this class are Nippers. There will be a new logo, new syllabus and new badges for when Nippers go up to the Junior class.

Tags in STAR out

The STAR cards have been discontinued and Somerset Karate have reinstated the Tag Reward System. Tags are awarded during each lesson and are worn on your belt. When you have three tags you exchange them for a prize from your instructor. A coloured star will be stuck in your licence as a permanent record of your achievement.

STORM and SWAT will remain with a new as yet un-named team for those helping at the class for Under 7s.

Diary Dates 2003

Gradings:

16 February

15 June

12 October

See Calendar for full, up-to-date information

Nippersaurus page

Colour this picture in and then show your instructor