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

SS is a roller coaster of emotions that by the time we leave we are all pretty drained, obviously some more so than others. It's not just those that graded but that was a fantastic show of spirit, strength, fortitude and determination...4 more Nidans: Andy, Ragi, Si and Ben, a plethora of Shodan-Hos, browns and everyone from new red belts up. Though as we know its not just the gradings that makes SS so special, it's those that attend and take part, giving all they've got, from Caroline icing everyone with a limp and more, to Si C and Matt driving Cassandra to hospital and Rob driving her to London, to smiley doing the daunting night shift rota and Dazzer running errands for me, the Yudansha for helping in the grading to Si M quenching our thirst with home made cider! Thank you for taking part from the 1st timers to the old hands. If I've missed anyone out or not thanked anyone then thank you for making this weekend special. To Sensei Gav for drinking whiskey with me and for the hours of utter nonsense that we gibber together and to our Godan Goran. To Senseis Dave Morris and Alan Vokes for their session on Saifa. To Senseis Roger and Tony of Shinseido Shorin Ryu for a fun and informative guest instructor session on the Bo. To Roger for his kind words and true understanding of who we are in DKK.

Remember this training doesn't stop here. We saw smiley and Siobhan start their Sandan Grading, during the summer Caroline and Tim Clark will continue their grading with their Sandan course in London, make sure you are part of that.
Congratulations to Dave U finalising his Sandan grade.

A selection of photographs from Summer School 2013 can be found in the Summer School gallery.

Dates for your diary:
Winter School: 18/19/20th October 2013
Summer School: 14/15th June 2014

Sensei Dan Lewis