Carrick on Suir Taekwon-Do

Carrick on Suir hosted all Ireland R.I.T.A Summer Camp of 2009 in Melleary Scout Centre, Co. Waterford This weekend 17^th -19^th July. In attendance were students not only from Carrick but Fethard, St. Marks, Naas, Galway, Dublin North and Kilmacow.

After settling into our dorm Mr. Tobin 3^rd degree took the Friday evening class starting with the obstacle course as a warm up. After succeeding in getting every one through the monkey bars and over the cargo net (some easier than others) we changed into our doboks to continue with team bonding exercises where we all had the opportunity to meet the other members from the participating schools.

Fitness training was scheduled before breakfast Saturday morning with Mr. Tobin 3^rd degree for those eager to start the day running. Mr. Keane 6^th degree from Stillorgan Tae Kwon Do School then took the sparring class. Having warmed up and taken us through some drills Mr. Keane had a four legged race which resulted in each team being pitted against each other in an attempt to take the other teams down. This was followed by the colour belts being pitted against the black belts in a rugby type game where tackles where numerous to say the least.

Mr. O’ Donnell 6^th degree from Galway Tae Kwon Do School instructed the power class after lunch where the theory of power was discussed in detail and put in to practice. The class was divided into groups where a black belt took each group through the breaking techniques necessary for their grading all the time being over seen by Mr. O’ Donnell 6^th degree. Having corrected our technique on focus pads we moved on to timber where each student was patiently instructed until success was achieved on a number of different techniques.

Ms. Keane 6^th degree from St. Marks and Naas Tae Kwon Do School then closed off the day with a patterns class. Each of the patterns were practised and the students were encouraged to perform their patterns in teams in front of each other. Ms. Keane having passed on her experience had the black belts perform Do San so that the pattern was demonstrated in a self defence capacity allowing the students to see how each of the blocks and counters are used against opponents to get a better understanding of what patterns are about.

Sunday morning was a later start the younger members being allowed to recover from the previous nights party including bonfire. Mr. Tobin took the final class of the weekend whereby we were broken down into three teams. Each team had to compete against each other in both a team pattern and a self defence routine. All the routines were both individual and enjoyable not only to watch but to have participated in.

Many thanks to Mr. Tobin 3^rd degree and Carrick Tae Kwon Do School for hosting a brilliant weekend, also to Ms. Keane 6^th degree, Mr. Keane 6^th degree and Mr. O’ Donnell 6^th degree for their patient tuition and contribution to the weekend. Also many thanks to Sadie without whom we would not have been feed, again many thanks.

Looking forward to seeing everyone again next year.