KICKSTART 2012

Once again we have started 2012 by  implementing our Health & Fitness Programme at the Lowestoft & Halesworth Dojang's called KICKSTART. This has been specifically designed by JIKJN Martin to help adults of all ages, using a mixture of exercises taken from the martial arts. 

News From The Dojang - January 2012

As we enter 2012, it makes us think about our goals for the forthcoming year, as well as reflecting upon our achievements for the year just gone.

Last year at Halesworth & Lowestoft Kuk Sool Schools we celebrated our twenty fifth year. Although no formal commemorative celebrations were held to mark the occasion, everyone at the Schools quietly acknowledged the fact that we’d reached a significant milestone.

In October, Black Belt, Lee Clewer travelled to the USA to compete in two international Kuk Sool tournaments and ended up winning two major Championship titles. Sadly Lee has now left Halesworth for Australia, however not before students, family and friends gave him a surprise 'send-off' party at the Triple Plea, Halesworth.  

In November the Halesworth & Lowestoft Kuk Sool School’s raised over £1800 for Children In Need with a sponsored ‘board-breaking’ session.  A big thank you to everyone that participated and to all those people who sponsored us. Special congratulations to Kai Bucknor who individually raised the most money.

Also in November several instructor’s travelled to Liverpool for the UK Championships. Again Lee Clewer was up to his usual winning ways with another hoard of Gold and silver medals. However the main highlight of the weekend was the promotion of Kevin Clouting to 4^th Degree Black Belt.

Kevin started training at Halesworth Kuk Sool at the age of ten years old.  Today Kevin has a prominent role as a senior instructor at the school. His three children Bethany, Kyle and Finn are all practising Black belts, making them our second generation of black belts. A big well done to Sa Bum Nim Kev.

Lowestoft Black Belt Promotions

On Saturday 27th November five members of the Lowestoft Kuk Sool Won Martial Art School traveled to Liverpool to receive their 1st degree black belts from Kuk Sa Nim.

The final presentation, which took place in front of 700 spectator's was held a week later after all the candidates had completed a final rigorous three hour grading exam held regionally at
Bury St Edmunds on the 20th November.

To obtain a black belt in the traditional Korean Martial Art of Kuk Sool, all students have to consistently study and practice for a minimum of four years.
During this period the practitioners have to exhibit a wide variety of martial art skills and techniques, as well as displaying a high level of etiquette and good manners.

The successful candidates from Lowestoft are; from left to right - Ethan Bentley, Dion Thompson, Tom Bennett, Cordell Thompson and Joel Walling.
Congratulations also to Catherine Ellis in achieving her 3rd degree Black Belt during the same event.

Head Instructor at the Lowestoft Kuk Sool School, Martin Ducker said that for these children to obtain their black belts at such a young age is a fantastic achievement,
all of these young people have practiced so hard and much credit is also due to the parents and grandparents who have supported them every step of the way.

Spooktacular Special!

Every year Kuk Sool Won of Lowestoft hosts a special Halloween Party and this year makes no exception to the rule!

Ghosts and Witches came from all around town and fun was had by all. We would like to thank al the parents for their costume efforts and our instructors for helping out!

Lets hope next years Halloween is just as much fun!

Black Belt Extravaganza

Our Lowestoft and Halesworth stars were out in full force last Saturday evening at The Lowestoft Sports and Leisure Centre. Both Kuk Sool Schools combined forces to demonstrate to over 150 people our Martial Art, in order to raise money towards The Beach Radios 'help an east coast child' charity.

We were delighted to welcome our VIPs and dignitaries including the Mayor of Lowestoft, our local MPs and Councilors and our guest of honor KSN Rory Davies. As some of you may know Rory is on his way to recovery - and was presented during the night with a pair of short swords.

We also had a special appearance from 'The Beach Bunny' who participated in his own special performance against our black belt instructors as our audience managed to raise over £250 in the buckets that were circulating.

All of our members from tiny dragons to black belts performed wonderfully to wow our audience.

A special thanks to The Bird family (Chris, Angie, Charlotte and Sophie) who made it all the way from Aberdeen, Master Darren Brown and PSBN Dave from Kings Lynn and PSBN Orville Lewis, all past Lowestoft members back to celebrate with us. Also to SBN Jon and PSBN Helen Denny for all of their efforts in helping to organize this event!

We do not have a final count as to how much we have raised yet. But everyone sponsored managed to break a board for an east coast child so we predict we are in the thousands!

Overall not only did the night raise money for charity but it brought us all back together again, one night which will certainly be treasured!

NEWS FROM THE LOWESTOFT AND HALESWORTH DOJANGS (June / July 2010)

On Wednesday June 2nd a black belt grading was held for over forty Kuk Sool practitioners at the Waterlane Sports Centre, Lowestoft.

For at least ten students from the Halesworth Kuk Sool School this was to be there final test before achieving their black belts.

The grading, which incorporated all aspects of the martial arts such as, kicking, punching, pre-arranged forms, self-defence techniques, board breaking and weapons was conducted by several senior Kuk Sool Masters, including the Grandmasters two eldest son's.
 
On Saturday 5th June, the successful candidates from the Halesworth and Lowestoft Kuk Sool School, all travelled to King Lynn, Norfolk to receive their Black Belts, which were personally awarded by the Grandmaster himself in front of a very large audience of family and friends.

A special mention goes to Rory Davies who received an emotional standing-ovation from the audience when being awarded his second degree black belt.

Rory is currently battling a severe illness and was only able to make his promotion after recently coming home after a prolonged period of treatment in Addenbrooke's Hospital.

Special congratulations go to the following people on achieving their first degree Black belts.

 

From Left to right; back row
Jamie Freeman, Jack Robbins, Robert Kemp, Chris Rogers 

Front row
Bilal Bounit, Finn Clouting, Alex Rogers

Also not pictured Alice Colls, Matthew Keal

1st degree Black Belt; Sian Savage, Brendan Harper, Shay Jordan, Ben Norris, Joseph Barber, Laura Gasson, Laura Riches, Andy Hemmings.

2nd degree Black Belt; Michael Garrod, Rory Davies

3rd degree Black Belt; Harriette Goldspink

4th degree Black Belt; Jonathan Denny, Matthew Goldspink

Martial Art Mum Win's Major European Title

A local mother has recently won a major martial art competition at the Kuk Sool Won European Championships at Kings Lynn on Saturday 5th June. The two-day event, is one of the largest martial art competitions in the region, saw over six hundred competitors coming from all parts of Europe to compete.

Janet Small 47, from Reydon near Southwold, had to compete in a variety of different categories, including sword, sparring and board breaking.

Janet won five gold medals and one silver medal to take the overall 1st degree Black Belt Senior Grand Championship title. Her particular division was made up from a large selection of both men and women and witnessed Janet providing the Judging panel with several faultless performances.

When asked about her achievement, Janet said, that she was really surprised and pleased at the same time, and added "I knew I had done well but I wasn't sure if I'd gained the overall Grand Championship title until the end of the day."Janet, who works as a local artist, is also a part-time gardener at St. Felix School, Southwold. She has been practicing the traditional Korean Martial Art of Kuk Sool Won for six years and trains regularly several times a week at both the Halesworth and Lowestoft Kuk Sool Schools.

The married mum, who has an twelve year old son, seems an unlikely candidate to be participating in the martial arts. Janet initially started the martial arts for fitness reasons, however she has already set her sights on her next major goal; to achieve her second-degree black belt, which she say's she'll be taking some-time next year.