On Saturday (July 28th 2007) the IOGKF European Gasshuku came to an end and in the evening we all went along to the Sayonara Party. This is the farewell event of the Gasshuku and everyone who took part in the week's training is invited to bring their families along to a gathering where we have something to eat and "let our hair down". Also this is the event when Higaonna Sensei (our chief instructor) announces the results of the IOGKF dan gradings that take place during the Gasshuku. This year's gradings took place on the Saturday afternoon after the final day of training, although sometimes the gradings can happen earlier in the week.

On a personal note, I had a great time at this year's Gasshuku and I think that the organisers did a great job at making the week a success. Special thanks go to Sensei Ernie Molyneux, Sensei Steve Shaw and their families - who must have been very pleased with how the event went and also quite happy not to have to be preparing things anymore!

Here are some photos from the Sayonara Party from this year's IOGKF European Gasshuku in Bournemouth.


















Towards the end of the night, while everyone was dancing and having fun, the Frank Sinatra song "New York, New York" came over the speaker system and everyone on the dance floor joined in a spontaneous hokey-cokey style dance. About 50 karate people all linking arms and having fun. I jumped in the middle of the dancefloor and took photos as the line swelled in and out, as I took photos of one side of the line of dancers, people from the other side of the chain took turns kicking me in the backside. This went on for the whole song, about 5 minutes!

Next year is the IOGKF Budosai in Okinawa, Japan. Hopefully that will be as good an event as this one.