AIMAA Summer Camp 2012

AIMAA Summer Camp Report

AIMAA Europe was once again extremely proud to host Grandmaster Hee Il Cho for the AIMAA Summer Camp 2012!

Jersey, Channel Islands was this year's chosen destination for a fun filled week of training, friendship building and camaraderie for all those in attendance.

Grandmaster Cho was joined by Master Darcy, Master Byrne, Master Fitzgerald plus many AIMAA Instructors in teaching a fantastic array of classes for all the students.

This year's camp started on Sunday 22nd July with the AIMAA International Testing where the association had members testing for grades ranging from black belt first degree to black belt fifth degree. This years testing panel was made up of Grandmaster Cho (AIMAA President), Master John Darcy (AIMAA European Director), Master Peter Byrne (AIMAA Ireland Director), Master Amrit Kalcutt (AIMAA England Director) and Master Michael Fitzgerald (AIMAA Ireland Technical Director).

All of the testing candidates were put through a tough test! Each candidate was asked to perform Patterns, Line Work curriculum, One Step Sparring, Free Sparring, self defence and board breaking. The higher grade students, testing from second degree upwards, were also asked to perform self defence, knife defence and zone fighting. Some candidates also demonstrated ground fighting techniques showing the full range of AIMAA's curriculum and Knowledge base.

The testing lasted for almost four hours which meant all candidates were pushed to the limit, but this gave all those testing the opportunity to demonstrate incredible levels of perseverance and indomitable spirit which was clearly evident from everyone on the day.

It was a great honour for everyone to test in front of Grandmaster Cho. It was also a real privilege to hear him speak before and after the test, passing on his incredible knowledge to all those people aiming for their next grade and to all those who had gathered to support those on the testing floor.

Day one of the camp started with a fantastic seminar from Master Darcy. There were a few sore bones and muscles from those who had tested the day before but these were quickly forgotten as everyone focused on the exceptional techniques performed by our European Director. After stretching out, students were lead through an array of drills and patterns which made for a great start to the first day!

Fort Regent, Jersey

After a short break student were divided up into their respective grades and lead through the individual curriculum levels for that grade. Each of these classes was taught by a different AIMAA Instructor with all classes running simultaneously within the arena. This format also gave the camp participants a great opportunity to train with different AIMAA Instructors, picking up different methods and ideas along the way.

Day two of this years AIMAA Summer Camp brought the much anticipated first seminar with Grandmaster Hee Il Cho (Grandmaster Cho would teach a second seminar at the camp exclusively for the junior camp participants). As is always the case, when Grandmaster Cho is teaching, everyone in attendance, from the white belts right through to the AIMAA Masters were bursting with excitement and anticipation.

For over an hour and a half those participating in the seminar were lead through all areas of the AIMAA Tae Kwon Do curriculum; punching, kicking, one steps and footwork to name but a few.

At Grandmaster Cho’s Summer Camp seminar there were students training from between white belt and 7th degree black belt but all were kept challenged and captivated throughout. Grandmaster Cho’s knowledge and lifelong dedication trancsends all barriers.

To conclude the seminar Grandmaster Cho finished with a meditation session and a speach which focussed on staying true to your self, your beliefs and your roots. Everyone left the arena floor knowing that we have the strongest of roots in Grandmaster Cho’s Tae Kwon Do!

 

AIMAA Summer Camp is for all Levels--and all Ages!

Wedensday 25th of July brought us to the half way point of the camp and on this day the students where lead through three very different, but equally well recieved, classes.

The third day of camp kicked off with both Master Peter Byrne and Master Michael Fitzgerald teaching similtanious one-step classes. Master Byrne worked from number 30 to 55 and Master Fitzgerald worked from number 1 to 30. Both Masters showed an amazing level of accuracy, speed and power on all techniques.

On the third day of the camp special classes were also organised for the junior students in attendance and these were lead by Mrs Aine Kaahui and a number of other black belt assistant Instructors. These classes were fantastic, funfilled classes which all of the children loved.

After the one steps sparring classes were finished it was Mr Jimmy Courtney’s turn to teach class and he taught a hugely informative and challenging boxing class. Mr Courtney has an extensive knowlege of both boxing and kickboxing and passed some of this knowledge onto the camp participants. This class was both technical and physical but everyone had a fantastic time learning these skills.

The third class of the day was taught by Mr Belgacem from Scotland who covered the practical application of patterns. This class was designed to demonstrate the actual practical uses of the individual techniques taken from our traditional hyungs and left the students with much food for thought on how and, maybe more importantly, why each technique is designed and applied as it is.

Grandmaster Cho’s second seminar of the week was exclusively for the junior camp participants and like his first seminar Grandmaster Cho both captivated and inspired everyone on the floor. Each child who took this class remained focussed throughout the full hour and a half, all comprehending, even for their young age, what an opportunity they had to train with such a Tae Kwon Do legend.

Grandmaster Cho lead the children through many punching and kicking exercises and spoke throughout the class encouraging and gently pushing the children to reach their full potential.

This was another perfect example for the AIMAA Instructors watching and assisting with the class of how to teach children and to hold their attention and minds.

Grandmaster Cho concluded his childrens class with a fabulous speech focussed on the importance of respect, good manners and dedication which I am sure each of the children took fully on board.

Whilst Grandmaster Cho was teaching the junior campers the adults were treated to an extremely challenging ground fighting seminar by Master Darcy.

The second class of the day was cardio-kickboxing and was taught by AIMAA Ireland National Secretary Mrs Walsh-Courtney. This was a great fun-filled class which everyone raved about. Mrs Walsh-Courtney had the full hall bouncing with some very tough drills accompanied by some very loud music! This class actually had people not involved in the camp asking to join in half way through as it looked so much fun!

The last day of AIMAA Summer Camp 2012 was like no other we have every seen! On Friday of this years camp classes were taught on one of Jersey’s most beautiful beaches!

The morning kicked off with a fun run lead by AIMAA Ireland’s Mr Gerry Long. Students ran along the beech stopping every so often to complete sets of squats and press ups before heading on further. This was a fantastic way to start the last day with everyone encouraging each other and pushing each other on to complete the route. Everyone done fantastically well!

The last class of this years camp was lead once again by Master Darcy who lead everyone through a tough but enjoyable Tae Kwon Do class. Linework, Patterns, Punching, Kicking and one steps were all covered. At one stage the students were practising their flying kicks on the sand, leaping over each other and having great fun in the process.