La Santa 2008
Lanzarote Dan Gradings 2008 and Kickboxing and WAKO K1 Rules course.
Students from Falcon Fight Academy Dinnington and other members of the BFKKO travelled to Club La Santa the World famous sports resort in Lanzarote in the Canary Islands on June 5th for their annual course and 1 week long International Dan Gradings. It was all set and was definitely going to be a grueller, many who had been on it before said it was the hardest ever!
The resort is famous for having all the top celebrities train at it for its excellent training facilities and its high altitude benefits. Names such as Frank Bruno, Colin Jackson and many other Olympic athletes from GB and the other countries who have trained there regularly adorn the walls of the famous Wall of fame and this now includes our very own World Champion and La Santa registered Instructor Kerry-Louise. Club La Santa have just been sponsors at the latest Khan v Gomez boxing fight at the NEC 21st June 2008.
The course ran over 7 days and this year had 3 students sitting their 1st Dan Blackbelts. They were Matthew Gray Bridlington, Rose Baker Sheffield and Tamsin Baker Sheffield. Another addition was Falcon “Old School” and senior Instructor Shaun Gray who demanded he went through what the students went through even though his 5th Dan is awarded to him for active time served as a senior instructor. The true Falcon spirit was shown by Shaun. Cris said theres not many of us left from the earliest days when our club itself was formed but Shaun just like the others are all out of the same pod, they do not expect of the students what they cannot do themselves! True spirit. Shaun also wanted to motivate Mat, his son to pass after not being successful last time. “The gradings are hard in the UK but the Lanzarote grading makes or breaks you Shaun said, but I knew it would bring the best out of Matty, its what he needs!”
He was right as all three passed but paid the price of 7 long hard days along with other kickboxing graders who took lower level belts but still went through the same grading and fitness and stamina testing! They were Jordan Waring, Karl Collins and Mark Baker.
Kerry-Louise said “This time the students had less leisure time but managed to cool off in the pool every day and we still went out for our group meals and entertainment at night so it was still god fun and everyone enjoyed it. The standard was very high but the students raised their game to match it, each and everyone of them!”
Every morning prior to the course the graders did an hours training before the others and also did their grading work for an hour after everyone else. This involved runs and sprints on the outdoor athletics track and swims in the Olympic pool.
The course ran for 2 x 1.5 hours sessions every day and covered all aspects of kickboxing and self defence. It also included much on WAKO K1 rules as this is now studied heavily within the BFKKO.
Again the sport attracted many participants from various countries who all enjoyed it.
A special mention must go to Shirley Creasey who at the age of Fifty something completed everything which was asked of her. No small fete!!! Well done “Sheila”.
Theres a joke in there with the name!
Thanks to Prof Dave Terry and Master Tony Willis for their involvement as guest instructors and again Tony worked alongside his own students who were in attendance in most classes showing true grit!
This was another successful course and La Santa had even confirmed the dates for next year for our return before we left the complex. We are back on 4th until 11th June 2009. We are taking deposits now as we have 6 people already signed up and theres only 20 allowed on the course.
The tired students returned home whilst Cris and Kerry went on to teaching in another part of Lanzarote, combining it with meeting up with family for a holiday also.
Well done to all! Below are some comments!
Karl Collins "In fifteen years of Martial Arts training and competing I have never been pushed and trained so intensively, yet been able to do this in the height of luxury; with the sun beating down, training at its optimum, who could ask for anything more?"
Mark Baker "Excellent course, very well run. These guys know when & how much to push you."
Rose Baker "Enjoyable experience. Hard work, but fun and worth it in the end."
Tamsin Baker "Was a hard week, but I can't wait for next year."
Chris Lovell "Excellent, The Training was Challenging but precise. i learnt alot in one week, Learning from a 6 time World Champion is Def the best Start for my Fighting Career."
Awaiting more including the International participants comments
