October test Results

Results of Test conducted on the 31st of October 2009

The following students have been promoted to:


7th Kyu
Brad Ashlock
Andrew Bowles
Bachir Khoury
Jeff Blanchard
Yvette Blanchard
Nigel Williams

6th Kyu
Arama Mataora Toatoa
Rory Christensen
Masumi Namiki
Shaun Bennett

5th Kyu
Robin Linhart
Patrick Morel-Shields

4th Kyu
Brian Townley


* Certificates and Belts will be issued shortly in class.

the intensive

Following are a few posts of beautiful photos from Matty to give you a taste of the weekend away.

The posts are a little out of order so you might want to start at the end and then go up...

This is where we stayed



In seiza before the start of class

and the group, looking very formal!

It was a great weekend away - and we're all eagerly looking forward to next years intensive!

Day two - food

Just in case you thought we went hungry on day two - here's lunch... amazing pickles, with soba noodles and dipping sauce


And Masumi getting put to work after he disclosed he works as a chef in a fancy french bistro...

Day two - intensive weekend

Day 2 started gently with some seiza (gentle for some - agony for others), before moving on to breakie and them some serious training!

In between there was a moment to catch some morning sun

And then heading up the hill for some jo training

The hill was a little tougher and longer than anticipated, but beautiful none the less


Would you mess with these people? I think some of the locals may have been a little worried...


Finally we knew we had arrived at the right spot

And it was time for training

And then a quick rest, some water and a few delicious snacks to keep the energy up

and of course the obligatory group photo!

Day One - Intensive weekend away

Here's the dojo in its new home for the weekend.


While Matty and Maddie get dinner prepared



An entree of rice noodle and coconut milk pancakes with avacado salsa followed by delicious fried rice and tempeh

and then straight into seiza before bed time, in preparation for a 6.30 am wake up!