The annual Ishinryu Open Summer Course remains a unique event in the UK karate calender. Running each year since the mid-seventies, the summer course continues to attract top instructors, led by Ishinryu head Ticky Donovan O.B.E.  Good weather, great enthusiasm and a willingness by all attendees to give 100% made 2009 a truly memorable year. These pages provide a pictorial overview of the week.

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Day Three - Tuesday

Tuesday started a little later at 8.00 am with the fun run. Following a warm up by the lively Sarah Kemp we were off. The usual route down to the beach and along the sea wall and back was covered in a variety of styles from those determined to win to those happy just to complete the route in a reasonable time. No pressure - except of course from the instructors, who were positioned at strategic points around the course, and eager to make sure all put in their best effort. To see a list of winners go to the results page.

Training recommenced at midday on the green. As an option, Mike Tointon provided a session for Ishinryu referees and judges (for 1st Kyu and above). An essential for Ishinryu officials, this session is also very useful for those who compete. A good understanding of competition rules is a great help on the mat.

Later in the afternoon Greg Francis presented his very popoular "karate to music" session. As usual this great aerobic work-out session attracted a good crowd.

Day Four - Wednesday

Day four, and we're still going strong. Another 7:30 am start in track gear opened the day. At 11:00 the Kata competition commenced with some great performances. See here for a full list of results. Because of the Kata competition today there was no midday training session. However an optional "pad training" session was held indoors at 1pm with Lee Smith with an emphasis on kumite techniques.

The next training session at 4pm finished off the day's karate activities.

Summer Course training can be intensive so opportunities to relax and have fun after training has completed are an essential part of the course. Highlight of the week's social activitiy is the Wednesday night Fancy Dress night.

Winners of the best costume this year were the "Cool Running" Jamacan Bobsleigh team - complete with Bobsleigh.