Competition - Yedo 5

Here is a little announcement? Not sure what I am letting myself in for but I have decided to enter our local Haedong Kumdo competition on 8 June 2008 – in all three Sections: Draws, Forms and Paper Cutting.

Cutting I can do – I just have to get lucky on the day. Draws – I’ll have to think – I only know twelve (well, twenty-four if you count both directions). I need to do five, consecutively, ending with a bow but which?

Forms! A big problem as I only know the first five well enough for a competition. I’m currently learning six and seven but I’ll not be ready with them in just a few weeks.

Before Christmas though we had a look at Yedo 5 – it’s a form I really like so I asked Master Giffen tonight if it would be OK to enter the Forms Section of the Competition with it.

Well, yes I can, but it will be a tall order. The trouble is, I was first in a similar competition last year doing Form 2 and, I guess, people will expect me to do the same again? However, the only other higher Forms I know just don’t flow with me yet. So if I stand a chance at all of doing well, I’ll have to do something else.

I don’t mind not winning – so long as I don’t come last – but I do like to push the boundaries as far and as high as I can and do my very best. I'll enjoy it anyhow - unless I fall over in the middle! Arrg - the thought of it. Don't go there.

Forward Roll - Form 5

Had a spare afternoon in the garden this weekend and, well, one has to try it – so I did and here is the result. Ten attempts produced a ‘sword roll’ of sorts. This was not the best roll – but the best video. Thanks Zoe for taking the videos and for accidentally deleting the best one!

I can see in the video where I go wrong but should be able to correct that – when my bruises fade. I’d forgotten I used Judo mats to practice 'Ukemi' all those years ago. Still, I’m pleased with the results and can/will do better.

My next Grading will be on 3 June 2008 and I need it for then - with the rest of the Form.

Forward Roll and Cart Wheel

This week I’ve come across and age old problem we all have to face sometime – old age! According to the syllabus Form 5 requires a forward roll and Form 9 a cartwheel! And, of course, I need these Forms for thier related Grading!

Should I really be throwing myself across the ground doing a forward roll or a cartwheel – with a drawn sword? To be honest is isn’t the sort of thing I’d planned to do with my retirement and at the age of fifty it’s going to be difficult.

Ha! It was going to be difficult at the age of twenty five but at least I could do rolls then as part of my Judo training. I’ve never done a cartwheel – yet!

Bring it on!

United Kingdom Web Site

Just a reminder for everyone who reads the Blog, besides me. Some time ago I set up the Web Site http://www.haedongkumdo.co.uk/ .

I’m pleased to say that the site has now been written properly by a fellow Haedong Kumdo student, Shaun Hughes, who has many skills and talents – one of which also happens to be holding a Black Belt in Tang Soo Do!

I’ve placed a link above and in the Haedong Kumdo Links section of this Blog to the site, which is planned to be the Haedong Kumdo Web Site for the UK. If you need more information please email:

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info@haedongkumdo.co.uk

Tang Soo Do

This is my daughter, Zoe, aged (nearly) eleven.

Apparently the 'nearly' bit IS important so "Pay attention," as she likes to remind me, politely.

Zoe has been watching my to and fro efforts with Haedong Kumdo and decided she would like to take up a Martial Art of her own – Traditional Tang Soo Do. So here she is, all ready to start and raring to go.

She forced me to put this picture of her on my Blog but don’t worry about the distraction – she can set up her own Blog and let you know how she’s getting on herself!

Seriously, she’s very keen and I hope she does well – but not better than me! (Smile). And I've been asked to join her in class! Doh?

Criminal Justice Act ‘2008’

I can’t let the day pass without moaning that today sees the introduction of legislation against selling, making, hiring or importing Samurai swords in England and Wales – not sure if this includes Scotland? I think you can still own one!

Honestly, since carrying a sword in public is already illegal and a further 17 weapons, including, nunchucks (except those included with a Wii), knuckle dusters and batons are on the Offensive Weapons Order, which was created by the Criminal Justice Act 1988, I'm not sure why this new law is required.

Seriously? As Fay Goodman (British Iaido 7th Dan) (see photo) points out, “People need some protection but criminals could use anything. The biggest amount of knife crime is actually domestic violence. Guns were licensed but shootings have only increased."

Haedong Kumdo - An International Sport

For many years I have been travelling around the world with different work commitments, hobbies and holidays.

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Not surprisingly I enjoy travel, meeting people from other countries with vaious backgrounds, cultures, religions and now Haedong Kumdo!

When I first started training in January 2007 I met Jerre van Kuijk, a Dutch National working here in the UK, and we have spent a lot of time training together and entered competitions too.

Sadly, Jerre has decided to make a career move to work in Doha, Qatar and I think he will be missed. I wish him well and good fortune – and hope he can find somewhere good to train in Haedong Kumdo.

On reflection this is a small world and it is exciting to interact with fellow students in it.

Anti Social Behaviour

Well, that took some time to resolve - thanks for bearing with me - so frustrating. It seems the long arm of the law has an even longer waiting list for taking action. But it feels good when it finally acts, and sorts it.

So now I can get on with my training without having a clouded mind and my family can get back to their lives too. All except one that is, poor Zoe. She's decided it would be fun to take up Tang Soo Do!

Started back swimming and training at the gym. I'm glad to be back and feeling much better already. Haedong!

My Little Do-Jang!

Well, here we are again, that’s me in the photo (bad light in the Squash Court, sorry) training. I prefer to train in my Do-Bok, with bare feet, I guess so I don’t look too odd to the folk passing by who expect me to be swinging a Squash Racquet.

Some of my colleagues wear trainers in class but I just don’t like the feel and it may be something about my Judo days where it just wasn’t done. Anyhow, I need to learn both Forms 4 and 5 by June this year for Grading. Form 5 includes a forward dive roll with a drawn sword. That should be fun, not!

Swords - Good and Bad!

Oh dear. Bought a really cheap sword – and I mean less than £5.00 including postage, cheap! No harm as I just wanted to take it apart and learn stuff without damaging one of my more expensive swords.

Take it apart? It almost fell apart. And whilst it looked fairly good on the outside and had a nice feel to it, weight and balance - it just wasn’t to be.

Look at the ‘tang’ of the blade, circled in red. It’s not a part of the blade at all. In fact there is a steel rod welded onto the end of the blade and the rest of the handle attaches round this rod.

One strike against a firm object and the sword would have snapped in two at the hilt – and who knows what else would have happened.

Be careful choosing a sword please - have a look again at the Sword Buyers Guide in the Student Resources Section.