Tenby Leisure Centre was the venue for the annual British All Styles Karate (BASKA) Summer Camp. This event is the most prestigious event in the BASKA calendar and is looked forward to by karate ka ranging from beginner to 3rd Dan, young and old, male and female alike. It is where you meet your old friends and make new.

The event was organised by Shihan Greg Wallace, 7th Dan BASKA, and his wife Maggie (who I hasten to add, did a fine job on the free end of course barbecue! She is already planning next year's bash).

Anyway back to the course - over 50 students from the tender age of four to seasoned karate ka of 55 took part.

The daily routine started at 7 am and saw all students assembled for the early morning run. This turned out to be a closely fought affair, with two main groups in contention, Shadow Warriors and West Wales Wado-Ryu - sorry West Wales, the Warriors had you beat, even with team tactics, the Warriors came out on top.

Following the run, everyone returned to Tenby Leisure Centre for the cool down stretch and some light sparring. Then it was off for a well-earned breakfast and rest.

All were back to the centre for 9.30 when the register was called. Everyone listening to see if any one was missing (left on the roadside in heap) and if there was, what would be the penalty imposed on that team (everyone was present, thankfully.) Shihan Greg Wallace, 7th Dan, then took the warm up - he woke everyone up in a way that only Shihan can.

Next on to basics and advanced combinations - again in a way you think you know what's coming next, but what comes next is not what you were expecting, hence the learning curve. After nearly three hours of Shihan's techniques, everyone was ready for a much-needed dinner and rest break. Some of the students and Senseis were to be found stretched out on benches and mats trying to get some much needed shut-eye and trying to recharge their batteries ready for the afternoon's training.

After lunch, all karate ka were split into mixed ability groups, each group moving round from one BASKA senior instructor to the other - each instructor specialising in a particular aspect of the BASKA syllabus.

Sensei Elan Adams, 5th Dan, demonstrated free fighting and competition techniques (some of which he used when he was winning! at competition).

Next it was Raja Badhwal, 4th Dan. Kick boxing was his speciality and it was good to see traditional karate ka doing bag and pad work to good effect; of course it was good to see Raja's Shadow Warriors moving over the pads and shields like a rash.

Moving on, it was time for Graham Thomas, 4th Dan, to instruct the groups in turn - where he taught Kata (forms) and Bunkai (application) of the Wado Ryu syllabus.

Now on to the last, but not least, instructor. Peter Ashby, 4th Dan, demonstrated Shotokan kata (forms). This was the format for most days, but Thursday was Black Belt grading day. This is where it all comes together, the time, the effort, the constant practise, no more so than for two of our local boys, Martin Morgan, of Narberth, and Andrew Smith, of Pembroke, both Sensei Thomas's students at the Pembroke Dock Dojo; also David 'Gethin' Williams and Jamie Willis, both of the Newcastle Emlyn Club, who are coached by Sensei Wayne Hoyland, 3rd Dan.

They presented themselves to the BASKA grading technical panel, chaired by Shihan Greg Wallace, 7th Dan, 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 black belt.

After over an hour-and-a-half of total concentration and dedication, I could tell by their faces they were all tired; they were exhausted and had given their all – they 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 on Friday afternoon.

Now it was time for the technical panel to discuss each individual's performance and decide whether they were worthy of the coveted black belt and the title of Shodan.

Friday morning was weapons training - this was undertaken by Sensei Gerry Coulter, 5th Dan, where he instructed everyone in the application of the Bo (long stick) and Tonfa (police night stick). Next year, Gerry, can we please have the Sai (used as a defence against the sword) and the Nunchaku (rice flails made famous by the late Bruce Lee).

As usual, Friday afternoon brings the end of the summer course and the Kata and Kumite competitions, which this year was a closely contested affair. Even after a long, demanding and exhausting week, everyone took part in the true sprit of karate do, and there were quite a few upsets in the Kata and Kumite categories, with the following results being recorded:

Men's Kumite, 3rd kyu and above - 1. L. Badwhal (Shadow Warriors); 2. G. Badwhal (Shadow Warriors); 3. W Hoyland (West Wales Wado Ryu).

Men's Kumite, 4th kyu and below - 1. N. Ibrahmi (Shadow Warriors); 2. A. Ali (Shadow Warriors); 3. C. Lane.

Ladies Kumite, open all grades - 1. R. Bramley; 2. L. Howell (West Wales Wado Ryu); 3. S Turner (West Wales Wado).

Junior Kumite, 13-15 years - 1. L. Mathias (West Wales Wado Ryu); 2. S. Schocair; 3. A. Balman (West Wales Wado).

Junior Kumite - 1. L. Jones; 2. P. Rogers (West Wales Wado Ryu); 3. D. Hague.

Pee wee Kumite - 1. D. Francis (West Wales Wado Ryu); 2. A. George (West Wales Wado Ryu); 3. R. Bowling (West Wales Wado Ryu).

Senior Kata mixed - 1. R. Brmaley; 2. G. Badwhal (Shadow Warriors); 3. N. Ibrahami (Shadow Warriors).

Junior Kata - 1. P. Rogers (West Wales Wado); 2. S. Schocair; 3. D. Hague.

Pee wee Kata - G. J. WALLACE

Renshin - 1. A. George (West Wales Wado Ryu); 2. C. Bowling (West Wales Wado Ryu).

At the end of the competition came the presentations – presented by Shihan Wallace, 7th Dan. First came a course attendance certificate that everyone received for completing the course.

Next, summer course winners: young achiever - K. Brickell; runner of the week - N. Ibrahmi; junior student of the week - D. Hague and D. Francis; senior student of the week - N. Ibrahmi and G. Badhwal

Next came the awards for the Kumite and Kata competitions, followed by the instructors' presentation where Shihan Wallace, 7th Dan, presented the BASKA course senior instructors with a Karate figurine for the their commitment to BASKA.

Then came the results of the Black Belt grading, with the following names being called: Martin Morgan, graded Shodan (1st Dan) Black Belt; Andy Smith, graded Shodan (1st Dan) Black Belt; 'Gethin' Williams, graded Shodan (1st Dan) Black Belt; Jamie Willis, graded Shodan (1st Dan) Black Belt.

Then came a presentation to Shihan Wallace - this was a limited edition portrait of Tenby Harbour (this presentation is given by all the students as a way of thanking Shihan for all he has done for promoting Karate, and for the enjoyment the BASKA summer camp brought to many people, also as a welcome back to Tenby.

The last presentation came as a surprise to two long-standing BASKA senior Karate instructors: Raja Badhwal, 4th Dan Kempo, was promoted to 5th Dan (Godan) and Graham Thomas, 4th Dan, of West Wales Wado-Ryu, was promoted to 5th Dan (Godan).

Because of the success of this year's course, next year's course has been confirmed and will take place at Tenby from the July 27 - August 3.

A special thank you must go to the Tenby Leisure Centre staff, Carol, Mark, Sue and Mark.

Next year's summer camp promises to be even better, with the possible inclusion of competition days. Possible paint ball and a go-kart championships will take place on non karate training days.

It goes without saying, Tenby has some of the best attractions and facilities in the United Kingdom. So book early, contact Shihan Greg Wallace, 7th Dan, on 01708-705396 for details.

Should you be interested in joining any of our clubs, please contact:-

Pembroke Dock Dojo - Sensei Graham L. Thomas, 5th Dan, 01646 684716.

Secretary, Nigel Dyne, 01646 684651.

Tenby Dojo - Sensei Tony D'Arcy, 1st Dan, 01834 844169

Newcastle Emlyn Dojo - Sensei Wayne Hoyland , 3rd Dan, 07979961076; Sensei Aled Williams, 2nd Dan, 07967717675.

G.T.