Day 3

Our final day was met with a variety of activities. From finishing up the finer points of Siu-Nim-Tau and Chum-Kiu to working Chi-sau and Lap-sau, we also saw three members being promoted.

After testing, we embarked on Lat-sau, or Free-fight practice. Lat-sau is a bit unnerving at first because everything goes and there are very few rules. Naturally we try to keep things safe to a point, but we also try to keep it as realistic as possible so that we can see what is working well and what needs more attention.

Everyone walked away with a few things to work on and that is always the best thing. We all can improve our responses in one way or another, so it is a great learning experience.

As the session ended, it was time to pack up and head home. After all of our goodbyes, I was off to PIA and another round of “interesting” airline issues. Long story short, I did not get to go to Vegas with a connecting flight; instead, I was fortunate enough to get a direct flight back to Phoenix and home about 3 hours earlier than planned.

I want to thank everyone who attended this year’s camp. Despite the grueling activities, you pushed yourselves hard and made it through it. It was pleasure to see familiar faces and meet some new ones, and I know we are all looking forward to the next camp in Phoenix.

Day 2

Today’s session was met with some groans, sighs, and stiff bodies head to toe. Yesterday was not so bad when we left, but after an evening to let it all set in, we all showed up a bit less-than-chipper. Enthusiastic, most certainly, but definitely not fresh. However, that was not going to stop us from getting the most out of our time and today was no exception.

Picking up where we left off, sections 2 and 3 of Siu-Nim-Tau were finished up and now everyone in attendance is familiar with this essential form and its curriculum. After working these sections for about 90 minutes, I put them in specific drills and the Chum-Kiu level members embarked on the finer points of Chum-Kiu section 3.

Lots of kicking, balance maintenance, how to stay relaxed, how to stabilize the body, and also how to drive power through each kick was explored via Ching-sun-gerk and Che-chang-gerk. Lin-wan-gerk (Chain-kicking) was also explored, as well as working multiple kicks high and low with B.O.B. was put into practice.

After sufficiently exhausting everyone, we put in a lot of time learning how to defend against the most powerful of roundhouse kicks via Sheung-har Gaun-sau. Likewise, the Chum-Kiu members learned the key points for learning this same defense but with Wang-bo-dai Bong-sau. It was tough to get through these sessions but we kept pushing on.

The scheduled second grappling/take down/ground fighting session was altered a bit (ok, a lot) mainly because 1) it was not absolutely essential to the curriculum, and 2) I knew everyone was starting to feel the exhaustion and I felt it would be time better spent by working true curriculum-only actions. It was a good decision because I pushed everyone to the limit of being tired just by standing (myself included).

After working how to fall and how to condition your abs the Wing Chun way, we then embarked on responses of how to respond when an attacker feints up and then drives down for a double leg take down. By rolling with the opponent, almost everyone got to experience first-hand how valuable this skill is and what it can do for them should they ever encounter this scenario.

Continuing with Lead-arm Defense Drills and using Jeet-gerk, to working Tut-sau, more Lat-sau, and Chi-sau sections 2 & 3 (plus freeing things up to get softer, faster, and more responsive), I know that resuming a lot of this tomorrow will become a mainstay for everyone’s training in the months to come. By the time the April camp in Phoenix rolls around, I am expecting everyone to really bring even more to the table by way of faster, more responsive (and correct/effective) actions. I am very much looking forward to what they do with these actions in the months ahead.

As for me, I am quite exhausted and headed to bed. The sad thing is that it is only 9:30pm here (6:30pm in Phoenix). Tomorrow starts all over again, plus the long trip back home. I won’t get back until approx. 9:30pm Phoenix time so because of that, you will not see a Day 3 synopsis until sometime Monday. I am sure that when I get home and get to see my wife again, the training, trip, and being home will keep me from signing on and writing up a synopsis.

I am sure you understand.

Until Monday…

Day 1

Yesterday was “travel day” to Monaca, Pennsylvania and our AWCA-Pennsylvania branch, approximately 30 minutes from the Pittsburgh Int’l Airport. I had two trips scheduled: Phoenix to Baltimore, then Baltimore to Pittsburgh. With my first flight being delayed initially by 1 hr and 15 minutes, it was later dropped to 40 minutes. Not “too” bad but I knew that would set the tone for the rest of the trip.

And I was right.

While the pilot did make up the time, the flight from Phoenix to Baltimore was met with a horrible thunderstorm the likes of which I have never been in. I have flown quite a bit in my time but have never flown through something like this. On our landing approach of 25 minutes, the pilot told us to brace for a bumpy ride.

Obviously his and my idea of “bumpy” seem to disagree.

In short, I was literally thrown into my seat belt at least four times (that I can remember). A part of me wanted to yell to the attendant, “I would like EVERY bit of alcohol you have on this plane, please!” It was so bad that once the wheels hit the tarmac, the entire plane cheered. Seriously. The entire plane broke out in cheering and clapping, it was that scarey.

And that, my friends, was the Reader’s Digest version. I shortened it solely because it is after 11:00pm on day 1 and I need to catch some sleep before we pick up again tomorrow. However, I had to get that off my chest.

Needless to say, I was delighted that the Baltimore to Pittsburgh flight was uneventful.

And in case you are wondering, no, I did not think of the fact that this weekend was the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001. So come Sunday, that will be an event that I, personally, am not looking forward to.

Training Day 1

Today started with a basic refresher of Siu-Nim-Tau. Some of our members have not learned the entire form yet so we spent a couple of hours going through the form, terminology and a few of the basic movements (tomorrow for them will cover the remainder). I then put them in some basic exercises for working section 2, followed with the Chum-Kiu level members going through the full Chum-Kiu form multiple times. The scope here was primarily to get them ready for tomorrow, since tomorrow will really hammer home what Chum-Kiu is all about.

Throughout the day, a lot of fighting drills were stressed that begins to pull together the scope of the art itself. From Pak-dar to Tan-dar and Fook-dar, the basic elements of pure fighting with the most essential tools was put into practice both stationary, stepping, turning, and with soft/hard attacks.

Likewise, kicking drills were introduced via Jeet-gerk (Jamming-kick/Stop-kick) and Ching-sung-gerk (Front Thrusting-kick). After wearing everyone out to a point, they were ready for the first of two scheduled grappling, takedown and ground fighting sessions.

Beginning with the reason behind grappling and takedowns, the first of 11 core takedowns was introduced (4-5 of which will be worked this weekend). The mats were pulled out and everyone jumped in with a lot of enthusiasm. Those versed in Siu-Nim-Tau naturally had a bit tougher time than those at the Chum-Kiu level, but they sure pushed themselves. I was very impressed by what I saw, so much that I pushed harder and introduced the second takedown.

People forget that Wing Chun most assuredly does have grappling, anti-grappling, and takedown actions. Those working the wooden dummy probably do not even see it, even though it is the second action they are working (and almost every lineage of Wing Chun/Ving Tsun/Wing Tsun I have ever seen does, in fact, perform this movement). Once this was demonstrated, the “ah-ha!” element came into being, the lights went on, and everyone fell into working it pretty well.

The Chum-Kiu level members then began working special strength training drills via extended Ching-sun-gerk actions. Timed drills are excellent for learning balance, flexibility, and developing leg strength in order to hold the leg parallel. It was pretty grueling but they did a great job (and much more is to come tomorrow. Remember, there are THREE kicks in Chum-Kiu).

Since I could see that our newest members were ready for it, worked a bit of Chi-dan-sau but also introduced Chi-sheung-sau focusing solely on Poon-sau (Rolling-arms via mechanics only and no forward pressure). While they worked that, the other members were fine-tuning Chi-sau sections 1 and 2. During this time, I illustrated how Siu-Nim-Tau and Chum-Kiu actions integrate with Chi-sau, Lap-sau and Lat-sau actions.

It is always eye-opening when folks see something that was right in front of them the whole time and then get to put the pieces together. This was one of those times and it always makes these camps so fun!

A variety of drills were presented for all members throughout the day, and the session ended with combination stepping/punching/kicking drills up and back across the floor in order to really drain the legs and force the action of relying on mechanics vs. physical strength. By 5 o’clock, they were ready to be done.

Tomorrow bright and early, we begin day 2. Day 2 will work extensively in more Siu-Nim-Tau, Chum-Kiu, Chi-sau, Lap-sau, Lat-sau, and grappling, takedowns, and ground fighting. If everyone thought today was rough, it is nothing like what is coming tomorrow.

You’re welcome.