Tenby Leisure Centre was the venue for the second West Wales Wadoryu Karate Association Summer Camp recently. This was only the second Summer Camp for the newly-formed West Wales Wadoryu (Pembroke Dock and Penally) and was looked forward to by karate ka ranging from beginner to 3rd Dan, young and old, male and female. The event was organised by Sensei Graham Thomas 5th Dan, with the support of Sensei Martin Morgan 2nd Dan, Sensei Kevin Jones 1st Dan, Jason Randall 3rd Dan and Sensei Tony D'Arcy 1st Dan. Over 50 students from the tender age of six years to seasoned karate ka of 55 took part in the three-day event, proving karate can be for all ages and ability. Friday night saw the first of three course runs. Sensei Morgan took the seniors on a 20-minute road run, and Sensei Jones took the juniors to run around the Clicketts sports field, where they waited for the seniors to come in for the course sprint races. After the runs came stretching and a warming-up period with no contact sparring. The second hour consisted of the course students being split into juniors and seniors, the seniors being taught Kata (forms) Wadoryu Jion and the juniors Kihon Gumite (basic sparring techniques). The first night's training ended with everybody rushing home for a well earned rest (the mums said the kids were too tired on the way home to say anything - peace at last!). Early Saturday morning saw everybody assembled for the attendance call - all present and correct. Then came the run. Sensei Morgan assembled all seniors (not knowing what they were in for). One hour later they returned to join the juniors in Tenby Leisure Centre where there was a sprint race to finish. Again the students were split up, with the groups taking part in Wadoryu basics, punch and kick techniques and Kata bunkai (application), with students getting into groups of five to practise. Everyone took it in turns in the middle to be attacked, this method being used to show how the Kata is applied. Next came a much-earned lunch break. The juniors had a choice, either a swim or a football match. Kids! They did them both. After lunch came bag and pad work with Sensei Morgan. The students were instructed in how to punch and kick the pads correctly, with the seniors using multiple leg techniques. There was also a competition to see who could complete the most techniques on one leg. A short break saw the class being split once again into Kata and self-defence techniques, with everyone learning a new Kata for their grade as well as defensive methods against a grab, choke, kick, punch etc. The last session of the day was for seniors only, the juniors having an hour or so to cool off in the pool. The seniors were taught Bo (stick), Kata (form) and Nunchaku Kata (rice flails). This was the last session of the second day and by the look on the students' faces, they were glad for a rest before the final day. The last day arrived and everyone assembled for attendance call. With all present and correct, the seniors were off on a shorter run this time, and they were grateful for it! The juniors, meanwhile, went on a run round the leisure centre, before all congregated for the last sprint race of the course, juniors intermediates and seniors alike. The next part of the course was Kyu grading syllabus, where everyone went through all that is required for their grade. Those not grading were instructed in competition techniques, strategy and speed drills, as used by some of Britain's well-known karate ka, instructed by Sensei Randall. At this point the course was over, and as promised it was time for the football match (where do all the kids get there energy - sorry senior). Next came a short lunch break and then it was straight into the Kyu grading, students presented themselves to the West Wales Watery grading technical panel where they battled through their grading syllabus, carrying out basics (single movements), combinations (series of movements), Kata (forms/patterns), blocks and counters, as instructed by the committee. After all of this, next came Kumite (sparring), where they had to spar with all the candidates attempting their respective grades. After over an hour-and-a-half of total concentration and dedication, one could tell by their faces they were all tired; they were exhausted and had given their all and were just waiting for command 'yame' (stop) to be called. After their grading concluded, they bowed to the panel and left the Dojo not knowing if they had passed or failed, and would not know until the presentations. Later that day, it was time for the technical panel to discuss each individual's performance and decide whether they were worthy of promotion. This year there were no black belt promotions. Time was running out, with only time for a Kata (forms) competition for all ages and grades. All students of all ages took part, with parents looking on in trepidation as the judges, Sensei Morgan, Jones and Randall, raised their flags to the winner; it was gratifying to see students attempting their newly-learned kata (forms). After the course and competition, it was time for the presentation where students received their medals, certificates and grade results. Running/sprinting competition: Juniors - 1. Jack Morgan; 2. Ffion Cadogan; 3. Jools Parker. Intermediates - 1. Linzi Marsden; 2. Nathan Bowers; 3. Jack Lewis. Seniors - 1. Ryan Hill; 2. Harley Zblewski; 3. Andrew Coburn. Best Junior Summer Camp student 2004 - Rhys Owens; Best Senior Summer Camp student 2004 - Claire Wilcynski. Kata (forms) results: Juniors, boys and girls - 1. Ryan Edwards; 2. Jack Morgan; 3. Ffion Cadogan. Intermediates, boys and girls - 1. Huw Owens; 2. Rhys Owens; 3. Nathan Bowers. Male and female 4th Kyu and below - 1. Andrew Coburn; 2. Scott Taylor; 3. Kylie Brazier. Male and female 3rd Kyu and above - 1. Jason Brazier; 2. Claire Wilcynski; 3. Serena May. Grading results: Promoted 9th Kyu - Bethan Davies, Ryan Edwards, John Carroll, Jools Parker; promoted 8th Kyu - Simon Morgan, Harley Zblewski, Georgia Watchorn, Byron Jenkins; promoted 7th Kyu - Kylie Brazier, Andrew Coburn, Liam Green, Rhys Owens; promoted 6th Kyu - Rhys Davies; promoted 5th Kyu - Huw Owens; promoted 4th Kyu - Ffion Cadogan, Josh Neibling, Rhys Parsell; promoted 3rd Kyu - Scott Taylor, Nathan Abrams, Nathan Bowers, Karla Hill; promoted 2nd Kyu -Serena May, Ryan Hill, Claire Wilcynski. With the course, competition, grading and presentation finished, it was only fitting to present the course instructors with a summer camp trophy and polo tee-shirt with their name printed under the association badge as a mark of appreciation for all their work, support and commitment to make the summer course a success - thank you instructors. But this was not the end of it. There was one more surprise when, on behalf of all students and instructors, Sensei Thomas was presented with a gift of appreciation for all his efforts in promoting this year's summer camp. With everything done, it was down to the Crown Inn, Penally, for a much-earned get-together, where over 97 family friends and Karate Ka enjoyed chicken and chips and a drink or two. Anyone interested in Karate, please contact (01646) 684716.