Newsletter
Newsletter 3/2011
Docklands Summer Camp 2011
A.E.T.F. REPORT
Newsletter 3/2011
Docklands Summer Camp 2011
In Bedford
Master Jerzy Jedut started his every year visit in London with a weekend of seminars in Scotland, at the invitation of GMAC Taekwon-Do. Along with his student, Mr. Jarosław Suska, they conducted three training sessions for colour (2 sessions for 2 divided groups on Saturday) and black belts (1 session on Sunday). That was the very first seminar in Scotland conducted by the Polish Taekwon-do legends, but definitely not the last. All participants were delighted with amazing and very challenging exercises. And not only them. The whole seminar was watched by Grand Master McCallum. The time spent in the dojang showed his honest interest commenting that it was ‘exciting and very interesting’.
Session at Pimlico, London
It proved to be a very successful seminar, thanks to professional organization, information, and a very good and early promotion, which in the end gathered 163 Scottish, Austrian, English and Polish taekwon-do practitioners. That was a good beginning for Master Jedut who headed to the capital of England to conduct a week long summer camp organized by Master Denis.
Training in Bedford
Master Jedut conducted six training sessions in London and one in Bedford. Not many students took part in all of the sessions, but all who decided to come were very pleased. One of the main reasons for poor attendance were the very serious riots in London, which you could probably see on TV across Europe. Despite the trouble in the capital, some well known competitors took part in training. Among them; Mr. Graham Patterson, Mrs. Suzanne Patterson, Mr. Stuart Arroyo and Ms. Marcela Capaja. The most eager to enjoy the sessions with the successful Taekwon-Do Instructor were; Thea Johanne Ness, who took part in 4 sessions, Huong Nguyen in 4, and Katarzyna Rozwadowska in 6 sessions.
Session in Bedford
Almost all sessions were watched carefully by Mr. Piotr Capaja, who couldn’t take part in training because of his knee injury. However, he was diligently observing and recording everything around him, to use as precious knowledge in his own training later on. The next week Master Jedut took the time to rest, shop, and render-vous with many of his friends.
Master Jedut at Thorpe Park. Stealth - (acceleration 0-80 miles per hour in 1,8 seconds)
Traditionally, he went with friends for a trip to Thorpe Park, one of many theme parks in England. The fastest rollercoaster called ‘Stealth’ which accelerates 0-80 miles/hour in 1.8 seconds is his favorite one.
The last day Master Jerzy Jedut invited Mr. Piotr Capaja and Ms. Katarzyna Rozwadowska to his favorite Italian restaurant ‘Bella Italia’ to thank them for their care and commitment during his two-week stay in London.
Having Master Jedut as a guest is always a pleasure and honor. We would like to thank him for his time and for sharing his great knowledge, experience and passion. Master Jerzy Jedut shared his impression about the trip. You will find it below.
- Sir, your trip to London this year was preceded with a weekend seminar in Scotland. What are your impressions of that seminar?
I have a very positive impression, there was a really great number of participants. There was a nice welcome, Mr. J. McIlvany was kind and caring and the camp in general had good organization, friendly atmosphere and a great diligence of participants. I was also pleased to meet with my two former (in small part, but still) Polish students who currently live in Scotland. And I would like to mention the very nice surprise - a welcoming banner in Polish!
- It has been 11 years that you have been coming to conduct a summer camp in London. How do you remember your first time in England and what are your impressions of the 2011 camp? What has changed over the years?
The first camp took place a long time ago, but I still keep some memories in my mind. Firstly, I was conducting only one class a day. Besides me the classes were also run by Master Sheena Sutherland and Mr. Mark Davis. There were also some students from my club Lewart Lubartów with me, and among them Mr. Jarosław Suska. I remember that the technical level of participants was not so high at the time. I remember that my presence was received with great interest from the students. I also remember my Audi TT experience drive as well as Jarek Suska's demonstration which was very well received. This year’s camp was of course very different, it’s structure was different. The camp was attended by not many participants, but their involvement was at highest level. The technical level was really good. You could say that over the years things have changed very much, even everything perhaps. The level of the students has considerably improved. However, I noticed big, sometimes huge, differences between the levels of representatives from different clubs which are very often close to each other. Maybe this is nothing surprising in the English community, but I assure you that in Poland it would be impossible.
- With what mission did you come this year? Do you feel you were successful?
This year I wanted first and foremost to ‘improve the behavior’ of the competitors in close distance sparring. A set of exercises that I suggested was to help them stay close to an opponent and still have the possibility of surprising them with an effective attack, as well as avoid a counter attack from the opponent. Of course, part of the training were also, what I would call very classic exercises and consisted of muscle strengthening that would help control the most important leg techniques.
- Was it a successful camp?
I can say that it was a good camp because I could see my plan working. Without doubt some people who participated in almost all the classes had very visible progress, which I believe, will benefit them very soon. Of course the weakness of the camp was a low attendance.
- Sir, you conduct so many seminars and camps in Poland and abroad. What would you recommend and what would be your advice for instructors who want to organize a good and successful seminar or camp?
I think that to organize a good seminar you need to first of all have a good instructor to conduct the seminar. You need to ensure adequate room and provide the right equipment. It is also very important and necessary to promote such a project properly, because the seminar can be held only if you have the participants. It is very important that participants practice in groups with a similar level of ability and advancement.
- Is it easy to conduct training for a small group?
It is certainly different. It has its advantages and disadvantages. It is difficult and hard to achieve the specific atmosphere in training with such a small group. It is not good for the advanced participants to train in a small group because it is important for them to train with many different partners with a selection of the necessary skills. However, it is slightly different with the less advanced students. Smaller groups can be an advantage because it is easier to assist everyone with comments, corrections and notes. That kind of teaching which is more intimate and should be more effective in this case. I would like to add, that teaching patterns is always more effective in smaller groups but sparring is the opposite.
- Was it your last Docklands Summer Camp?
I do not know whether it was the last. It always depends on whether I am invited and whether there will be people to participate in the camp.