SummerFest Updates

Shihan Evan Pantazi
will be teaching a class with Shihan Bill Glasheen relating to the Kyushu points in Superempi. A second class will focus on these points in the main three kata of Uechi-ryu.From Evan:Mattson Sensei,

I have been honored over the past decade that Mattson Sensei has allowed me to work with Uechi-Ryu and Kyusho at this Summer Camp.  I have also had the opportunity to work with many people and make many friends (even wearing a black gi), in Uechi in England, Bermuda, France, Italy as well as the USA. I look forward to seeing everyone as well as meetng new folks to share the benefits and depth of Kyusho in Uechi-Ryu!

Not until Simon Lailey, a British Goju black belt returned from an extended stay in China with a super long set called “Superempi” did the Uechi world sit up and take notice of a form that fit into the Sanchin – Seisan – Sanseiryu formula for expanded technique/application and in growing numbers, accepting it as a credible Uechi-ryu kata.

Bill has accepted and works the kata and uses it as a tool, in the same way the Chinese martial art world uses these physical/mental sets for training. Bill teaches this set as a work-in-progress, not a rigid and set-in-stone mold into which all students must fit. Those of us who practice Superempi, use it in the same way we use our other Uechi kata. . . not as ritualized movement, but as fluid, flexible, healthful and highly practical tool kit, containing an infinate number of self-defense techniques and applications. Oh yea. . . its a challenge as well. . .

This year Bill will be once again working hard on the field with all who wants to peek into the wonderful and secret world of Superempi.

Of course Bill will also be overseeing the annual “FireDragon” Challenge on Saturday. This year, instead of forcing our FireDragon Warriors to do “pullups” from a tree limb, we will have a pullup bar! 🙂

Will be teaching at this year’s SummerFest. We are indeed, very fortunate in having such a highly skilled martial artist as a presenter this year. Master Fang-chih and Shihan Darin Yee will be emphasizing the relationship to the “Sticky-Hands” in TaiChi to the Uechi-ryu Kotikiti, “Wa-Uke” and Sanchin principles.

Master Fang-chi Lee’s qualifications are as follows:
     Member of the National Shao Lin Kung-Fu Team (1984-1987)
Tai Chi Master, Sandan in Kendo
Certified Reflexology Therapeutics (Le Foot Health Association, Taiwan)
Master of Science, recreation management
Bachelor of science, movement studies

Experience:
     -Taiwan National Champion
-Program Director of Training and Development for the Government of ROC.
-Member of Government (ROC) compatition team
-Certified judge for International Compititions
-Kendo Coach (Wei-Do High School)
-Instructor of Chinese Martial Arts (Chei-I Technical Junior College)
-Instructor of Chinese Martial Arts (Zhong Dai Medical College)

Roy Bedard: A True Uechi Champion. . .

Roy will be at SummerFest all three days, teaching The Uechi sparring techniques that made him one of our nation’s leading sport fighter until he retired in 1995.

• 1995 Pan American Games/ U.S. Team Trials U.S. Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, Colorado
• 1994 – U.S. Team Player – World Karate Championship, Kota Kinabula, Malaysia
• 1994 – Awarded 5th Degree Blackbelt by World Karate Federation, Kota Kinabula, Malaysia
• 1994 – USA National Championship, Jacksonville, Fl.. Silver Medalist
• 1993 – U.S. Team Player, Kuwait Liberation Cup, Kuwait City, Kuwait
• 1993 – Team Florida Member USA National Championships, Phoenix, Arizona Silver Medalist
• 1992 – U.S. Team Player, North American Cup, Vancouver, Canada Bronze Medalist
• 1992 – USA National Team trials, Akron, Ohio Bronze Medalist
• 1992 – Team Florida member USA National Championships, Dallas, Texas Silver Medalist
• 1991 – U.S. Team Player, North American Cup, Monterey, Mexico – Silver Medalist
• 1991 – Sunshine State Games, Sarasota, Fl. – Gold Medalist
• 1990 – U.S. Team vs. Egypt Goodwill Competition, Akron, Ohio – Gold Medalist
• 1989 – USA National Championship, Orlando, FL
• 1988 – USA National Championship, Las Vegas, Nevada
• 1987 – Captain of the United States Team, Pan-American Championship San Pedro Sula, Honduras Bronze Medalist
• 1985-1994 – United States National Karate Team Member
• 1980-1994 – Fourteen Time National Qualifier and Competitor
• 1987-1992 – Five Time United States Karate Federation Florida State Fighting Champion
• 1981-1984 – Three Time Amateur Athletic Union Florida State Fighting Champion

“As most people know, I have created programs, patented products , copyrighted materials  and developed a business out of police tactics. It has been my life’s work since 1986. My reputation has morphed from being the Uechi-Ryu Instructor to being the Police Tactics Expert. My method of instruction today involves a calculated blend of karate, judo and aikido, flavored with bits of kobudo all encased in modern legal theory. I have, unwittingly become eclectic in my approach to combat, which I now find amusing, since I was one of the die-hard claimants of dogmatic practice out of ‘traditional’ necessity.  Today I intentionally incorporate ‘change’ into my method of instruction as new technology, new laws, new awareness and new demands are placed on professional combatants (i.e. cops, solders, security personnel). I am no longer just an ‘empty-hand’ enthusiast as I incorporate chemical agents, batons, dart firing stun guns, and firearms into my training regimen. But still Uechi-Ryu  remains my compass for proper technical guidance in everything that I create, develop and put out to the profession.

I’m happy to share with our group an overview of how I think our Uechi-Ryu fits into all of this, how it forms the foundation of a solid ‘reality’ base, and how though sometimes it may lack in my opinion, practical application, it is ripe with principle. I can, in particular – give you my take on Sanchin – something I have spent the last few years of Camp listening to, rather than participating in when it comes to academic discussion. As you might guess, I see it a little differently, viewing it through a combative looking glass and analyzing the science behind it for achieving balance, power, mindset and combat endurance. Otherwise, I am happy to sit and listen some more.”

Best,

Roy

Although Mark has studied on Okinawa from most of the famous Uechi-ryu masters, including GrandMaster Kanei Uechi, he considers himself first and foremost, a Tsutomu Nakahodo student.

Mark will be teaching many of Nakahodo’s training secrets and techniques we have all heard so much about.

Masters’ Celebration at SummerFest!

I recommended to the IUKF Board of Directors that this year’s we honor Shihan Art Rabesa with the promotion to Kyudan (9th degree black belt) and the title of “Hanchi”. (3 gold stripes). After a brief discussion, where Art’s long and distinguished martial art career was relived, his illustrious teaching career and the publication of his two textbooks (“Kumite” and “Explosive Karate”), the Board unanimously approved my recommendation.

In addition to all the senior Uechi instructors, a number of our “friends of Uechi” are on our schedule this year. John Hassell will be with us all three days, teaching traditional Okinawan Bo. (As will “Windsong” Blake and Tracy Capone.  I’m especially honored to welcome Kyusho expert, Shihan Evan Pantazi, who this year will be working with Shihan Bill Glasheen – exploring the fascinating 4th kata investigation, demonstrating both the link to Uechi-ryu and the Kyusho applications of this complex kata that lie just beneath the normal level of performance most see in Superempi.

Memorable SummerFest Happenings!

During an “Under The Tent” seminar, Calvin and another honored guest from China, Sifu He, decided to compare “push-hands” skills for their audience. What a fantastic demonstration of skill, balance, timing and strength!

What began as a simple demonstration, slowly evolved into a full-blasted competitions. After a spirited and aggressive match lasting well over five minutes, by mutual consent, both agreed to a draw! Most of us had seen “push hands” performed before, but never by two Sifu with the experience and skill of these two experts.

SummerFest – Where new friends are made –
And old friendships renewed!

Yes, the music is great, demonstrations spectacular and the sea breeze refreshing. But the most pleasurable experience of all is simply spending a couple hours with old friends or joining a group of “old-timers” and listening to all the tournament stories of the 60s – 90s… you know, where the matches get tougher every time stories are told and the Tiger Kanbun killed gets larger with each telling!

Stories about the early SummerFests also get more interesting with time. How many of us still remember the camps where the Uechi family participated – where Yonamine and all the other senior Okinawan masters attended and impressed the participants with their skills and strength.

How many of us are still around who recall the first “Hall of Fame” awards banquet, following five days and nights of strenuous workouts and activities on Thompson’s Island. Remember the Island runs every morning? I wonder what happened to Klaus – the impressive long distance runner who led us on these exploratory runs around the Island? Few will remember that Klaus also ran the Boston Marathon wearing his karate gi and combat boots – finishing in quite respectable time.

How many of us remember the Thompson Island cookout; the one where grandmaster Kanei Uechi serinaded the group playing his Samisam and singing ancient Okinawan songs?

On July 27 – 29th, I will be hosting yet another memorable SummerFest. Many of the original participants will be once again attending and helping to make this event one of the most exciting and impressive martial art event of the year.

Please talk up SummerFest in your dojo and try to bring a few friends with you. I promise you won’t be disappointed. GEM