Shinseikai Karate, Whistler?s full-time Katate dojo, is hosting an international training camp this weekend, Aug. 31 to Sept. 2, called the 2001 Whistler Summer Session.
Joe Rankin, the founder of Whistler?s Shinseiki Karate, has invited the Kyokushin Canada, a national Karate organization, to this three-day training session to build relationships and plant the seeds of what he hopes will become an annual event. Karate practitioners from Japan and U.S. are taking part in the inaugural event.
"As we grow, as the Dojo grows, we plan to make Whistler the gathering place for everyone for our style of Karate," says Rankin.
Shinseiki Karate is a blend of full-contact Karate and K-1 Karate, which is kickboxing. You?re only equipment starting out is a jock and a mouthguard. As you train and start to spar full contact, your timing improves and reaction speed increases. When you reach a certain level, you can branch off into kick boxing if you choose, provided that you continue with your full contact training.
There are four practices scheduled over the three-day Summer Session, which will include some sparring. On the final day, participants will run from their accommodations at the Alpine Lodge to Rainbow Park, where they will take part in a training session in the water.
"The practices are all over two hours long, but people are coming a long way to take part so we want them to get as much practice in as they can," says Rankin.
People are invited to come out and watch the practice sessions. They are scheduled for Meadown Park on Friday, Aug. 31 from 7:15 to 9:15 p.m., on Saturday at Meadow Park from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m., and on Sunday at Rainbow Park from 6 to 7 a.m.
New members and people thinking about taking up Karate are also invited to a ceremony and party at the new Whistler Dojo in Function Junction, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday. The Dojo is located at #5B-1005 Alpha Lake Road.
For more information on Shinseiki or Summer Session, visit the Shinseiki Karate Web site at www.shinseikikarate.com.
