Ronin Jujitsu Club held there annual Hatsu Geiko training session on Elmer Sands beach just east of Bognor Regis (West Sussex).
This years event was held in support of Help For Heroes and donations can be made at:-

www.bymycharity.com/Hatsugeiko2010 and the ref is 20091117-7005-6892

This year Assistant Instructor Martin Robertson 3rd Dan represented Bognor Regis Zen Judo Club at the event
and here are the photos to prove it.

Some of the more hardy Jujitsu types practice on the beach (sand was underwater) !!

Martin looks for a soft bit to land on !

Sensei Tony Richards (Ronin Jujitsu Club) hands round the traditional Sake tipple after the training session,
in preparation for the dip in the sea.

Martin helps to hold up the Help For Heros banner, along with the hardier Jujitsu Instructors and students.
(Martin was the only one sufficiently tall to not find out how cold it really was).

Martin dries off after his swim and waits for his body to warm up again and let him know where the bruises are.
 

As the last session this year was so close to Christmas we had the presentation of the Student of the Year Award on Monday 14th December,
followed by the Traditional Games evening and Raffle of the 21st December.
This year has seen a number of the students and Instructors gain new grades and also the arrival of a number of new students.
The Junior session has proved very popular and has gone from strength to strength and on behalf of the students I would like to thank Assistant Instructor Martin Robertson for running this session.
The Senior session has seen a number of new students and maintains a good "Zen Judo Family" atmosphere.
On behalf of the Instructors I would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year. 

Some of the Instructors and Students 14th December 2009

Hannah was awarded The Dominick McCarthy Student of the Year award for 2009
by Chief Instructor John Robertson.

NB: Sorry for this post being so late, I knew there was something I had missed, just couldn't remember what! (webmaster).

Alex achieved his Orange Belt at a grading on 14th December 2009
 

Agnius achieved his yellow belt on 28th August 2009

Jamie joins the yellow belts after grading successfully on 21st September 2009.
 

(Sensei Chris Moslim demonstrates Akido weapons)

Instructors included Gordon Lawson 6th Dan BZJFA (Judo), Chris Moslim 7th Dan (Akido), Steve Mitchell 5th Dan (Ju Jitsu),
George Launders 4th Dan BZJFA (Judo), Graham Padget 4th Dan BZJFA (Judo), Keith Harby (Wing Chun), Leroy Blake (Akido).

Session were held in Judo (Tachiwaza and Newaza), Akido (including weapons), Wing Chun and Ju Jitsu.
The Saturday evening also included a disco and splendid food provided by Georges helpers.

Probably the highlight of the weekend was the well deserved presentation to Sensei Launders of his 5th Dan grade in Zen Judo
by Shihan Gordon Lawson 6th Dan BZJFA (Head of The British Zen Judo Family Association) (See www.zenjudo.co.uk)

(John gets the point)

(Sharna - Self defence)
 

Left to Right front row: Shihan Andrew Millard 7th Dan; Sensei Mike Healy 5th Dan
Sensei Caroline Gourlay 4th Dan and Shihan Gordon Lawson 6th Dan.

On Saturday 10th October Chief Instructor John Robertson and Assistant Instructor Martin Robertson made the trip up to Thatcham Zen Judo Club for a Zen Judo course.
Guest Instructors from The British Zen Judo Family Association including Shiham Andrew Millard 7th Dan and Shihan Gordon Lawson 6th Dan taught sessions covering the (BZJFA) Zen Judo Syllabus and various ground work kata.
This was also a chance to see other Zen Judo Club students and Instructors from both Thatcham and Trowbridge Zen Judo Clubs and also high grade Instructors from Nottingham.

Around 20 Instructors ranging from 1st Kyu up to 7th Dan and from a number of British Zen Judo Family Association Clubs attended the course, hosted by Shihan Gordon Lawson and his Club Instructors. Clubs from Nottingham, Manchester, London, Trowbridge and of course Bognor Regis and  Portsmouth were represented, for four hours of Judo Instruction by Shihan Andrew Millard B.E.M 7th Dan BZJFA.

At the end of the course shihan Andrew Millard 7th Dan presented Dave Bennington and Yvonne Robertson with 1st Dan BZJFA Licences.

For a full report see the zenjudo.co.uk website.

On Sunday 7th June 2009, senior gradings (to green belt and above) were held at the Love Lane Dojo in Petersfield.

Congratulations to Jon Taylor who has gained his blue belt and to Yvonne Robertson who has finaly attained her 1st Dan Black Belt. Both Jon and Yvonne have had to overcome a lot to gain these belts and should be an insperation to other club members, as to what can be achieved if you persevere.

Jon with Sensei David Bennington 1st Dan - Who graded him to Blue Belt

     
Yvonne after being awarded her 1st Dan by Sensei Phil Watts 6th Dan
celibrating with "The Zen Judo Family"

Congratulations to all students who have achieved new grades during April:-

Alex Mani - Yellow Belt (6-04-09)

Callum Harris - Yellow Belt (13-04-09)

Lance Bennett - Yellow (27-04-09)

On 6th April 2009 Bognor Regis Zen Judo Club was awarded a grant of £300 from Bognor Regis Town Council,
towards the running of this years Zen Judo (Spring) Martial Arts Course to be held on 2nd and 3rd May at the clubs Dojo in South Bersted.

For details of this years course go to www.zenjudo.co.uk or ask one of the club instructors.