Winter kendo camp 2003 - Waikato August 29 - 31

Sue Lytollis:

Great outcome for Hutt on the weekend at the National Winter Camp. We gained our first 'home grown' shodan with Scott (Marts of course we love ya but ya started kendo last century before Hutt was formed). Dan gained his 1kyu; Nic Philip gained his san kyu; Nic Pitt and Miyuki and Shinobu gained 5th kyu; Fiona and Nicola their 6 kyu and Steve, Mia and Mikey their 7th kyu. We felt that from Marty to the Potaka's, Hutt nearly had someone in every grade! We are only missing a 4th and 2nd kyu. Won't be long before we have that I am sure. It is likely that the clubs next opportunity will be at the Nelson Kendo Camp held on the Friday Feb 6 - 8th of Waitangi weekend. You can bet that you will hear from Anita on this one and we will 'people move' to have a fun time in Nelson for this event.

Highlights from the weekend camp involve Nic Pitt's intense interest in finding 'soldiers' on the desert road, Mikey's special Kendo Manga (comicbook from Japan - ask him about it); the 'Jimmy hat' at the Mongolian dinner Saturday night; hospitality of Waikato Kendo club; for Liz and Sue meeting up with Tatsuya and Dave from Invercargill Kendo club (Dave got his 4th kyu); Scott surviving the 'kakari geiko' sessions; sneaking Nic and Hughs dad into their grading; enjoying our newest and youngest member Xavier with Nicola and her husband; finding out that Shinobu's husband was talked into joining Kendo during the weekend; Fiona surviving the weekend on her sorefoot and the bravery of Mr and Mrs Potaka, Fiona and Nicola to try out Rembuden Taikai in October (if you aren't in it, make sure you come along to cheer us along). Overall 18 Hutt Kendo players and supporters went up tothe camp, one of our biggest contingents and I am sure everyone benefitted from the intensity of the Saturday and the opportunity to grade on the Sunday. Oh, and I was voted in as Secretary of the NZKF which I presume is a highlight and we mooted Hutt hosting the next Winter camp 04 and have to hear back from clubs to check that this is ok.

4th Rembuden Taikai - October 4-5, 2003:
Read the news and results of this annual event (PDF)