Ingleton Training Camp – November 2010-11-30
I had the enjoyment of attending the Ching Mo winter training camp in early November. Being a student of SiFu Billy and SiGung Kwok between 1989 and 1997, I have stayed in contact over the years whilst moving around the UK studying other arts. I contacted Billy when I noticed the training camp on Facebook and was made welcome.
I joined the happy band of warriors, staying in the lovely accommodation arranged. The group of about 30 travelled in from all over the North West, Midlands and Wales and ensured a great cross section of age, experience and talent.
Saturday morning commenced with the mother of all warm ups. It worked out about 15,000 punches , finger strikes and palm strikes before our 1000 or so kicks. The walls of the hall ran wet with perspiration. Then we started training. This warm up was to be remembered for several days.
Throughout the following day and a half the 25 years of Wing Chun across several SiFu’s crystallised into a single understanding. Ip Ching, we learned has drawn back in the many understandings and conceptions, to clarify and educate or re-educate practitioners in a single authoritative system.
I realised after all these years how much there is still for me to learn, to adjust and adapt to. The consolidation of all key learning into a 4th form was inspired, but with time constraints of a training camp it was merely a swift walk through. Additional drills to support and reinforce Chi Sau techniques again were something of value. I will be incorporating them into my training alongside my pak sau, lap sau, and HuBud (JKD) drills.
Sunday was another day with a challenging warm up although still suffering from the prior day, energy was lacking and it was noticeable that even the fitter, more resilient guys were fading.
With pole and knives on Sunday I enjoyed another day, as it is 20 years since my last Wing Chun weapons session. Again I found slight modifications to my previous learning, with an effective explanation from SiFu Billy.
In the final hours we touched arms with many new and old Wing Chun brothers and sisters, which I found extremely valuable, particularly with my limited training these days. I have always regarded my Wing Chun as the true system to rely on, whilst my JKD and JuJitsu provide other tools, the training camp reinforced my belief in Wing Chun. I was glad after 13 years since serious training with SiFu Billy the warm welcome and friendly, yet serious, approach is still a feature. The training was enjoyable, the Wing Chun fellowship was great and I hope to share this again in the near future.
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