News

On Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th October, the Association held its Autumn Gasshuku at the Nuffield Fitness Centre in Chichester.

The weekend was well attended with several of the Association's clubs represented.  All aspects of the Association's syllabus were covered over the two days.

Two students from the South Mitcham Karate Club were successful in gaining their Shodan:  David Wedja and Reuben Willoughby.  Congratulations to them!

The next Gasshuku will be the Winter one which will be held in February 2025.

Sensei Pete Saunders, 4th Dan, instructor at the Dover Karate Club, was recently awarded the National Kindness Award.

This is awarded to adults who have demonstrated an exceptional level of kindness during the 2023/24 school year. 

Below is the text read out by the mother of a young pupil Sensei Pete Saunders was mentoring:

"Pete Saunders is the Caretaker of Guston and is also the karate teacher running classes every week for the pupils of Guston.

For the first time in years, Washinkai decided to hold a weekend summer gasshuku at our Lydd, Kent club instead of the  usual four day summer course at Milton Abbey School, Dorset.

What a good decision we made!

Hosted by Sensei Chris Wateridge, 6th Dan, and held at the Lydd Community Centre, we had the largest attendance in years.  Clubs which were represented came from Norway, Andover, Canons, South Mitcham, Tadworth, Chichester, Dover, Hawkinge, Marsh Academy as well as Lydd.

May has been a busy month for Washinkai, with courses and competitions taking place in both the UK and in Spain.

The first course in May was held at the Canons Karate Club hosted by Sensei Annette Turpin 6th Dan.  A good attendance, considering the M25 was closed and rail strikes taking place.  However, the weather was superb!