A personal thank you.

[Rick Wilson]

I hope this is not taken as SPAM, because I would like to post something about my camp to thank everyone.

I would like to thank the participants for having open minds and the best attitudes. The camp has plenty of respect but it is very casual. Those caught up in rank would find it uncomfortable. Fortunately for me the instructors who participated were of a like mind.

The camp is a mix of cross training and exposure to different views of martial arts. The participants are exposed to sound bits of other styles and training. The sessions are usually one hour with a few two hour sessions. Each session is something different. I found that every instructor could have done a whole weekend on their material.

I would like to thank and comment on the instructors in the order they presented with one exception:

Jim Maloney Sensei was in town the weekend of my camp and offered to come by and teach a little something. He not only taught for two hours on Saturday and two hours on Sunday, but he stayed the entire weekend out at camp. His sessions were fantastic. He presented what he is working on with his Uechi Ryu and a great segment on generating power. As fantastic as that was, even better was simply having him there for everyone to meet and talk to. He joined in as one of the group, but clearly everyone made sure they had a moment to sit and just talk to him. I cannot thank him enough for his kindness and generosity. He made a great experience even more fantastic.

Friday night started with Robb Finlayson. I had not met Robb before and that always generates a little concern when exposing students to an unknown instructor. However, Robb is a certified PDR instructor under Tony Blauer and that was good enough for me. And it certainly was, Robb is a fantastic guy and instructor. He gave us a great session on Tony's HIGH GEAR and some information on its use. I got to put it on and try out the gear. I loved it although I had to take the neck piece off to get the movement I needed. We will be ordering a set right away! Thanks, Robb.

Bill Poon returned from last years camp to work us an hour on FMA knife. Bill is a friend of mine and a super instructor. Everyone loved his session on FMA stick last year and requested him back again. Thank you, Bill.

I took over for some Night of Living Dead training and took us outside in the dark to add some real spice.

Saturday morning Jim Sensei dazzled us for two hours and fired everyone up!!!

It was an honour to have Joseph Chen return to my camp. Joseph is a premier Chen Taiji practitioner and a martial artist. I am always stunned that he takes time to help out another Edmonton martial artist. Every time I see him he impresses me more. Thank you, Joseph.

Terry McLachlan and Danny La, good friends of mine took us on a two hour tour of the Bo. Their enthusiasm and sense of humour had everyone looking around at the end of their session wondering how TWO hours could have possible gone by. Great fun and great learning. Thank you Terry and Danny.

Mike McGuire is the owner of Rising Sun Martial Arts supplies in Edmonton and we have talked over the years so I knew he had extensive background and training. While I had never worked with him my gut said he was someone I would want at camp. My gut was right. Mike showed up early during a break and was eager to get started. NOT so that he would finish quicker but so that he could go longer. Impressed! Great instructor. Great martial artist. Mike's session was on FMA stick and let me tell you he exposed everyone to the possibilities! I loved being locked up like a pretzel. Thanks, Mike.

Another instructor from last year that was requested back was Trevor Tessier. Trevor lead us through a great session on ground grappling. He may be a young man but he is a gifted teacher and practitioner. He did not disappoint those who wanted him back. Thanks, Trevor.

I knew Sunday morning was going to be tough. Everyone is tired and sore. I specifically asked Ken Read to present on Qigong. While there are many Qigong practices that can be demanding, there are also many that immediately refresh and revitalize. Ken chose two types that did just that. He got everyone moving again and ready to go. Thanks, Ken

Jim Sensei stepped up again and introduced us to the crane aspect of Uechi Ryu and then into expressing power in your strikes. Folks, it just doesn't get better than this. Again thanks, Jim Sensei.

Manuel Desa who hosts the Spirit of the North Seminars and Tournament each each was up next. Manuel has been a karate friend for a long time and worked everyone through a Seichin Bunkai. He is a dynamic teacher and everyone had a great time. Thank you, Manuel.

My karate brother Dave Chow stepped up next. He startled everyone by taking Kyu Kumite number one from the basic steps through a transition where you overrode or stole the intent of your attacker! George Sensei you would have been proud of him as he demonstrated what you have been saying can be done with the kumites to transform them. And that was just #1. Dave, my brother, thank you.

The last session was hosted by Tony Fell. I having been learning from Tony Fell from the day I started Uechi Ryu. He is my sempei in the true sense because he is my role model. I specifically booked him for the last session because he loves the art and that love and enthusiasm radiates from him and is contagious. I knew no matter how exhausted everyone was Tony would have them flying and the did not let me down. Thank you, Tony.

Sorry to take up this board's time with something personal but I felt a very large thank you was due to all.


Thanks,

Rick

[gmattson]

Congratulations Rick on hosting a very successful weekend. Sounds as though Uechi-ryu open-minded attitudes are alive and well in your area.

If you have any pictures, please post them.

Again... congratulations on a job well-done.

George

[Bill Glasheen]

And I couldn't be there?

Wish you could have told me beforehand so I could pass on my best to the folks I know (particularly Jimmy Malone) and one in particular I met in Atlanta last August (Manuel Desa).

Wow!!

BTW, I thought we Uechi folks couldn't do a certain martial art... (Inside joke, folks).

- Bill

[Allen M.]

Congratulations on your successful camp, Rick. Hope you have many more.

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Allen Moulton from Uechi-ryu Etcetera

[candan]

Great when everything comes together so well.
This Buds for you

[Van Canna]

Hi Rick,

Sounds like a great time for all, and lots of talent.

Congratulations.

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Van Canna

[Guest]

Rick, sounds like another great camp!

Mike McQuire had a post on the FMA page he seemed to be pleased to play with Sensei Maloney again. What a small world!

How are you going to top this next year?


Laird

[david]

Sounds like a great camp and another wonderful training opportunity. It's nice to hear about martial artists of different lineages coming together like that.

david

[Rick Wilson]

Thanks for the kind words.

Rick