Pages Road : taught by Chris Lineham. The regular mini seminars are open to all students and are a great way to step up and ready yourself for the more demanding gasshuku.

As always, the turn out from the higher grades just adds to the benefits for the kyu grades.

During July we held the annual Kids fest classes. Each year we hold as part of Kids fest several “Aikido For Kids” classes.

The classes were held at Rangiora Dojo [taught by Kyle Southam], Linwood Dojo [taught by Shane Goodwin] and Burnside Dojo [taught by Andrew Williamson].

This year a total of around 70 kids attended the 3 classes held and experienced aikido for the first time. Around 8 kids have since joined the regular classes.

The spring seminar is coming up. All are welcome!

Friday 28 September - Sunday 30 September.

Confirmed Sensei:

• Andrew Williamson (6th Dan)
• Irene Williamson (5th Dan)
• Kevin Allen (4th Dan)
• Simon Puffett (4th Dan)
• Gary Crooks (3rd Dan)

Registrations are open. Fill in your name on the registration form at the Burnside dojo.

FRIDAY MORNING UPDATE: Unfortunately the high-profile celebrity we had planned for the Friday morning class and coffee can't make it this week. You should still come along and train - it's good for you! (I assume being awake while the birds are still defrosting is good for some reason).

There are a few high profile birthdays coming up over the next two weeks. Out of reluctance to get on the bad side of good people, they can remain anonymous for now. No names. No ages. :)

But, it's a good chance to highlight some of the lesser known risks of Aikido training - the sorts of things that can affect your training for weeks:

• Moving furniture is more risky than a dojo workout
• You should warm up before hanging out clothes at home - is there a joke about irimi-nage being like a clothes-lining technique?
• Never wear a cap whilst mowing the lawn lest you crunch into unseen branches
• Rotate your hips around your centre when getting in & out of cars – not just your upper body!
• Drink from the pink coffee cup cautiously

A big thank you to those that have kept us in check for another year!

On a completely unrelated matter (wink, wink), we're expecting a big turn out for the Friday (20 July) morning class, coffee, or both. The pink cup might even make an appearance.

• Mini seminar - Saturday 28 July - At Pages Road in the afternoon. Details will follow shortly. This is a short two lesson seminar which is free to ASC students. It is a chance to train just a little more intensively than the usual regular classes.
• Proficiency tests
  • Yudansha: Sunday 29 July Burnside Dojo, 5.00pm
  • 6th - 4th kyu: Monday 30 July Burnside Dojo, 6.00pm
  • 3rd - 1st kyu: Monday 30 July Burnside Dojo, 7.30pm
• Spring seminar - the weekend of 29/30 September - Mark these dates in you diary now. The seminar this year will celebrate the depth of instruction we have available to us in Canterbury along with classes from several other NZ instructors. Details will be available shortly.

These events are also on our calendar page. You can subscribe to the calendar and be automatically kept up-to-date.

The Kids Classes for Aikido start again from Monday 16 July.

We will be handing out the certificates from the last grading from Monday.

We held our regular Kidsfest classes again. Thanks to all the parents for braving the weather and bringing your kids along, and for watching - and hopefully enjoying - the classes.

There were lots of eager faces, a few looks of confusion, and lots of happy laughs as assistants were was tossed about. Great to see a number of kids with natural ability.

We have a few photos from the Pages Road class.

Beginners take note: Join in July and get your July training for free!

This is the regular mid year weekend seminar & grading for the Aikido Shinryukan Otago. The weather provided a “warm” welcome to Dunedin for visiting instructors Andrew williamson and Kevin Allan – snow, sleet and bitterly cold. Unfortunately Andrew’s flight was delayed (by ice in Dunedin) and he didn’t arrive to early afternoon. Fortunately Kevin had driven down on Friday and stepped in to take the morning classes. Despite the weather the training was fun. Approximately 20 students attended the seminar including Erick Haynes and Jo Vanderlaan from Chrishtchurch.

On Sunday morning we held the grading – 8 students graded ranging from rokkyu to nikyu. The standard was high.

It was great to have Ben Hayward visit for the first week in June. Ben (shodan) is currently working for Fulton Hogan in Oz near Melbourne. He finishes his contract at the end of this year or early in 2008 after which he will relocate back to Christchurch. Ben continues to train in Oz although we think he needs to work on his fitness. Ben is a regular contributor to our magazine.