Uechi-Ryu in Yorkshire

Anyone living in on near Cullingworth in N Yorkshire who is interested in learning Uechi-Ryu Karate should contact Andy Love on 07905 186930 or by email at andrew.love5@btinternet.com Andy, who was one of Nigel's first students in the 1980s, is going to open a club if there is sufficient interest.

Okinawan Karate Master visits Hedge End

Master Ryuji Hayashi (7th Dan) and Sensei Hiroshi Tokaida from Amami Island visited our dojo in Hedge End on Monday 29th October to take the evening training session. Both instructors are in England on an instructional visit organised by the Sei-Bu-Kan Karate Association (www.sei-bu-kan.com). We were also delighted to welcome for the first time Sensei Derek Charlton and his students, and Sensei Kuda Adams and his student who travelled up to train with Master Hayashi. Master Hayashi is third from the right on the front row of the photograph and Sensei Tokaida is fourth from the right. A full article, and further photographs, will appear in the 'ARTICLES' section of this website shortly.

Visit from Senior London Instructor

We were delighted to meet Kuda Adams (4th Dan) on 23 August 2007 when he came down from London to train with us. It was really good to meet a Uechi-Ryu Karate practitioner from one of the UK's oldest clubs. Kuda, one of Terry Daly's (6th Dan) senior students, joined in with the regular evening training. Kuda will shortly be opening a new dojo in Wandsworth, London so if you live nearby please feel free to drop him a line - contact details on our UK Clubs page. We hope to reciprocate and to visit London later in the year to train with Terry, Kuda and the other London Uechi-Ryu practitioners.

L-R: Nigel Coole, Kuda Adams and Dean Sinclair

More grading success in Hedge End

Congratulations go to Chris Harper on passing his Yellow Belt grading. Chris is pictured below being presented his well deserved Yellow Belt. Despite moving out of the area some time ago Chris has travelled significant distances twice a week to continue his studies. His determination and progress is a credit to him.

Uechi-Ryu Kenyukai Summer Camp,

Temple-sur-Lot, France

Monday 29th July 2007 - Saturday 4th August 2007

International Summer Camp by Master Takemi Takayasu, in the sport center of Lembrun in Temple-sur-Lot (Lot-et-Garonne). You can fly from south UK airports to an airport within easy reach of the summer camp. This is an absolute must for all serious Uechi-Ryu students in Europe.

SENI 07

Calling all Uechi-Ryu Practitioners (Uechi-Ryu, Kenyukai, Okikukai, IUKF etc)

We are going to SENI07 at EXCEL in London on Sunday 20th May 2007. Any other Uechi-Ryu practitioners who are also attending the show (no matter what grade or association you are from) are invited to meet up for a 'chat' at lunch time. The aim is to meet new people and encourage friendships between all Uechi-Ryu practitioners in the UK.

We intend to meet up at about 1230hrs, details of where to meet will be made known asp. Please take my number and call us on the day if you turn up at the last minute 07970 684017.

More details about the show can be found at www.senishow.com

Grading success in Hedge End

Congratulations go to Phil Henshall on passing his Yellow Belt grading. The photograph below is of Phil being presented his yellow belt by Sensei Nigel Coole.

Kanei Uechi Memorial Seminar - 10/11 March 2007

We are planning a Uechi-Ryu Training Seminar on 10 & 11th March 2007 to mark the anniversary of the death of Master Kanei Uechi. It is hoped that there will be enough support from other dojos to make this an annual event being held on the closest possible weekend to the death of Master Kanei Uechi to mark the incredible contribution he made to the furtherance of Uechi-Ryu Karate and friendship around the world.

The seminar weekend will be open to all Uechi-Ryu practioners from beginner to senior grades and regardless of which association you are part off. The Seminar will cover the full range of study from Sanchin to sparring. The plan is for a 3hour session on Saturday 10th March starting at 2pm followed by a 2 hour session on Sunday 11th at 12 midday.

There will be a minimal charge to cover the costs etc but it will be kept to an absolute minimum to encourage as many people as possible to attend. If there is sufficient interest I will also plan a group meal/social event for the Saturday evening.

If you are a Dan grade and are prepared to lead a session or have a special area of interest, please contact me asp as I am putting together a training programme and am looking for a variety of instructors to lead on the various different sessions.

This is open to all grades - please drop me an email to let me know you are at interested and I will email you directly with further details, programme etc as soon as they are confirmed.

First Grading for Uechi-Ryu Karate Do in Hedge End

We held our first grading on Thursday 7th December 2006. Aaron Beard and Alex Pordage have been training at the club since it first opened in June 2006. Both students passed with flying colours and were awarded their yellow belts. The photographs below are of Aaron Beard (top pic) and Alex Pordage being presented their new belts by Sensei Nigel Coole. Nigel said that he was "delighted with the results, both students have worked very hard and I am very pleased with the progress they have made".

Martial Arts Illustrated

Major Uechi-Ryu article in key UK Martial Arts Magazine

Following submission of an article by Nigel Coole to one of the UK's foremost martial arts magazine, Martial Arts Illustrated, we are pleased to say it was published almost entirely as submitted along with a number of photographs to accompany the article.

The article was about the Uechi-Ryu Kenyukai Summer Camp in France 2006. Readers will notice that the only major howler is the misspelling of the word 'Kenyukai' in the articles title. For readers that can purchase it it is in the Jan 2007 edition.

THE NEW UECHI-RYU KARATE CLUB HAS NOW OPENED IN HEDGE END, SOUTHAMPTON

A big thank you to the all the new students who turned up on Monday 26th June 2006 for the opening night of the new Uechi-Ryu Karate Club in Hedge End. I hope it wasn't too confusing for you all and that you all enjoyed your first session. I also hope that this is just the start of a long and very satisfying journey for you all.

For those readers who have only just found this site and who have thought about learning karate but have dreaded the thought of being the only beginner in the class then now is the ideal time to that step as the whole class are starting together.

Classes are for both men and women aged 16 and over. Beginners and students who have previously studied other styles are equally welcome.

Don't worry you do not have to be Bruce Lee or super fit as classes will always allow beginners to develop their fitness and ability. Karate is not only a great way to get fit but it will also help you to develop the presence of mind that is often needed to cope with the pressures and potential conflicts of life.