So DKK summer school 2015 has come to an end. If you were part of it you'll be back next year, what a fantastic experience it has been. The day started with the 3rd dans taking students through the intricacies of stances used in Goju Ryu karate and how their functions are best used. This was follower by Sensei Gavin Mulholland hurting students with the kubotan! A vicious weapon that can be used easily if you have a pen shaped utensil with you. Soooo painful! The last session of the day was eskrima and how techniques can be used with the hands and equally with the feet. 

On the final afternoon, the DKK grading took place under the beating sun. It was fantastic to see so many pass to their next belt to those that badged to green belt. It's going to be a large grading next year with 7 people attempting black belt. Well done to Mike Jenkins who achieved shodan black belt. The evening/ night/morning was rounded of with the 'Instructor's BBQ'. Well done to everyone that was there training for the weekend and grading. Winter School 2015 here we come. Are you going to be part of it??

Shihan Dan Lewis

This weekend I did something awesome. I'm so happy to have made it through my 2nd Dan grading. A big thank you to all of you who have helped and supported me. Special thanks to Sensei Dan Lewis, for being an awesomely inspirational teacher, Sempai Darren Heywood, Rob Curtis, the fabulously feisty Marjukka Viitala, Michael Parsons, Danny Williams, Chris Taylor, Goran Powell for his great advice and all you other lovely people who have encouraged and supported me. Special thanks also to Matt Savigear my fellow nidan candidate who through injury was unable to continue, its been an honour and pleasure to train alongside you, speedy recovery. Congratulations to my fellow Nidans Jake Hoban and Mike Thornton who were amazing, it was an honour to share the field with you. It's been a fantastic DKK summer school, thank you to Sensei's Gavin Mulholland and Dan Lewis for making it all possible, it's a privilege to be part of such a amazing club full if exceptional people. And yes I'm still smiling! x


Philippa Lovegrove, Nidan