Recently, Karate Noosa hosted an international training Seminar, located at its new training address of 75 Beckman’s Road Noosaville, State School Hall. Under the guidance of Kawasaki Sensei a renown international karate instructor: Kawasaki sensei, a graduate of the famous JKA (Japan Karate Association) instructor program: while in Japan he is based in Kamakura.
In Noosa his program consisted of 8 hours of intensive training: this being broken up into 4×2 hour sessions. Two Saturday and two Sunday. Students travelled from Gold Coast, Brisbane, Malaney and Pomona: one student took the opportunity to fly in from Perth, just to train under this renowned sensei. The extremely high level of Shotokan karate, was obvious.
When the class of 60 plus students, took to the training matts and stood in line to go through their formats, it was indeed interesting to note the strict discipline of movement and silence that came into play. After a set time, a break of some 10 minutes for water was allowed. This they drank from their water bottles, which had been placed neatly in line behind the training mats. During this time, there was little or no breach of discipline and all movements were polite.
Another obvious fact, as they collected their gym bags and started home, their composure was still one of quiet discussion and polite movement: however, their smiles and quiet exchanges, said it all. It was definitely a good training session: one that all students had enjoyed.
Bryan sensei first had the privilege of meeting Kawasaki sensei in Japan in 1994, and later trained with him for many years in Tokyo. He also had the privilege of taking students to Japan in 2017,2019,2023, to train with Kawasaki sensei, in his home town of Kamakura. Training was focused, on correct basics, with heavy emphases on the use of hips to generate power.
He also bought two students with him to experience the Australian way of life, and also test a new student karate exchange program, that Bryan sensei and Kawasaki sensei, are setting up. Interesting to note, that during his time the only town he visited was Noosa. “We definitely look forward to having Kawasaki sensei, back in Noosa in 2025,” said Bryan, head sensei of Karate Noosa.
Noosa Outriggers.
The mighty Noosa Outriggers have 7 teams and a number of juniors making the long drive down to Coffs Harbour this weekend. This type of thing shows the spirited and support that is alive and well within the boundaries of this club. And perhaps the most important of all is the number of our youth that are keen to take part.
“After the first three rounds of racing, Noosa is coming third behind Mooloolaba and Brisbane on the overall seasons, ladder total: so we need a solid performance to climb that all important ladder of success,” said club spokesman Colin Jones” The program is broken into three sessions. The morning events sees competition over a short course, 8km in length followed by the juniors, then a long course in the afternoon sees races of 16 kms. The following week we have the Battle of the Bays hosted by Brisbane Outriggers racing for small craft: OC1s and OC2s between Cleveland and Scarborough.
Our Seahorse Athletes.
It is now two weeks since the Noosa Seahorse Nippers played host to visiting surf club families and their little nippers from all up the Queensland coast. They came to take part in a very important inaugural surf lifesaving event, on Noosa’s Main Beach. Known as the Joint Disability Program the first of its type in Australia, it was an outstanding success.
Who would have ever imagined, that some day our families whose children’s lives revolved around wheelchairs, would ever dream of taking them through the soft sands of Noosa’s Main Beach for a days outing: and even more finish off with a swim in the surf. But now that impossible door has been well and truly opened. And no longer, will it be forever closed.
So successful has it been, that families have already asked if we can lock in the same dates for next year: so they can start, preparing funding and accommodation. There can be no doubt that following this year’s success, next year should be bigger than ever. There will be forever times that will stay with us, things that were so important not only for the beach and tourism but also in particular our wheel chair wonders.
By that we mean the beach mats. These mats that were laid from the steps front of the surf club to just several meters short of the surf. To some people it may not have seemed such a big thing, but to our nipper families, with, seahorse nippers in wheel chair plus beach bags and umbrellas it was like a miracle.
It was also first major financial involvement from that league of gentlemen the Tewantin Noosa Lions Club, whose donation helped make the mats a reality. Not to be forgotten they, for the second time, made another donation, this time to the Noosa Nippers Joint Program. Others, whose generosity was noted were Noosa’s RACV Resort and the Restaurant at Noosa Surf Club, Mooloolaba Surf Club and Noosa Shire Council: involved in many ways for many months. These are just a few of the many. To everyone, a very big thank you.
Another whose support goes beyond the pale, were the Knights from way up north in the surf club at Port Douglas: Irene, club president, and husband Grant, Surf Sports Director. They arrived a week prior to the big weekend and took part in the Noosa Seahorse Nippers Final Saturday. “The program had a lot to offer, it was very positive and it came together beautifully: and we had a lot of chats with many different people.”
“The thing I noticed were the people working behind the scenes: they deserve congratulations and well done.” From husband Grant, “This was great, not only for the surf club, but also for lifesaving in general: great to see families from the Gold Coast. If we can have it the same time next year it would be very good. The experience has been outstanding.”
It is occasions like this that help bring back the old fashion interclub friendships and the willingness to help new clubmates. But above all, it helps give heart and friendship to those less fortunate: and helps expose them to the world of surfing. Something that prior to the Seahorse Nippers, was believed to be beyond their every-day world.
To all the workers, many thanks you clubbies. And in particular our donors: your donations were a massive help to the visiting families. To those who could have helped but didn’t, ’nuff said.
