On the 4th September 5 members of the Lowestoft Kazoku Kai karate travelled to Pontesbury for the annual summer course and Dan gradings

The first session was taken by Sensei Ridgway 7th Dan, working on the kata Naifanchi and why it is one of the core katas of most Okinawan karate styles, emphasizing the importance of keeping the body in line from top to bottom to get maximum power when punching.

The second session was taken by Sensei Wilkins 6th Dan demonstrating Shnzato Sensei’s principles of blocking and striking techniques.

After lunch Sensei Ridgway taught the kataTomari Useishi from the kiyan group and Sensei Wilkins put the blocks and punches in to practice which were quick and worked very well. After 7 hours of training the session was brought to a close.

Next it was Dan grading for 7 Kazoku Kai members who were put through their paces.

After two hour of basics, combinations, kata kumate, sparing, ground work and pad work. Under a panel of kazoku kai senior instructors consisting of D R idgway 7th  Dan , P Collins 6th  Dan , D Wilkins 6th Dan and T Bergin 5th Dan  all past and did tremendously well results as follows M. Smith , J Crook ,W. Boff , M. O’Connor 1st  Dan, C. Thomson, D. Hickey 2nd  Dan , J Walsh 3rd  Dan and A. Bell 4th Dan