Ronin Goju Karate Morley

Just over a week until our next grading.

We tend to grade quarterly, with students eligible at every other grading - not all make it there and not all pass, but we only invite those that have put the time and effort in and are capable of passing.

This grading has been brought forward so we can avoid both a December and September gradings - both months can be difficult for students of all ages.

Last grading was six weeks ago and the next won’t be until October. Some students have been invited to grade slightly early and others who showed capability, but with a bit more work needed, slightly late.

This is shaping up to be a pretty busy one. With students grading for anything from 8th Kyu Yellow belt to 1st Kyu Brown belt.

It will be a HOT, tough grading with lots to get through.

If anyone is a little uneasy on any of the syllabus - now’s the time to shout up!

July 19th

Junior Beginners - 10:00 to 11:30
🥋Kihon
🥋Kata
🥋Bunkai
🥋Pad drills
🥋Strike Shields
🥋Kumite (traditional)

Adults and advanced - 12:00 to 15:00
🥋Kihon
🥋Kata
🥋Bunkai
🥋Pad Drills
🥋Strike Shields
🥋Ground Work
🥋Grappling
🥋Ukemi
🥋Takedowns
🥋Kumite (traditional / Grappling / With Takedowns)

Get to classes over the next 10 days as often as you can! You’ll need the practice!

Warm in the Dojo tonight!

To those that came to class and gave everything they had - thank you.

Was a very sweaty event!

Strong focus on Kata Patterns and grappling drills tonight.

Defending, improving position, striking and takedowns. Was hot, sweaty and a lot of fun!!!

It’s nice to see classes as busy as they are!

But, we always try to limit class numbers. Generally 10 in the junior classes and 20 in the open classes.

It’s not about cramming people in, it’s about having time to assist each student that takes the time to turn up. If we cram 50 people in like sardines, half the class would get a look in!

And there is 3!!!

Two down!!

Just need to get up Ingleborough now!

One down two to go!

Yorkshire three peaks for Tickled Pink!

What a day!

The result was not what we wanted but we tried our best!

We arrived at the start of the challenge at 6:06am having set off from home at 4:30. The weather was immediately challenging.

Driving rain and (what felt like) gale force winds. But we didn’t mind. We were fully kitted out in waterproofs and grim determination.

We set off with a few hundred other Asda staff and made our way up Pen-Y-Gent. We made excellent time and managed to summit in less than an hour and a half.

But the wind was a nightmare and more than once we were blown off balance having to correct our footing to avoid a fall.

Then the descent - before the long trek to checkpoint one. This is where the issues started.

Flooded trails, overflowing rivers and that none stop rain and wind. About six miles from the checkpoint it became clear that our boots had failed us. Each step felt like wading in a swimming pool with water coming from the top of each boot.

To make things worse, my waterproofs were not so waterproof and I was soaked to the bone, head to toe, and I mean, Everywhere!

Once we had reached checkpoint one we had to call it a day. It was clear the event was going to be called off by the organisers and it would have been unsafe for us to continue.

We walked (swam) a total of 17 kilometres in just under 3.5 hours.

But we will not be defeated.

We are going back in a few weeks to do this again - I’m not letting a few hills and a bit of rain stop us completing this. So watch this space!

Thank you all for the donations, we raised almost £700 for Tickled Pink and we will be back to earn every penny of those donations!