SEMINARS IN SOUTH AFRICA (PART 1)

To begin, I thought the best thing to do is provide  a background on my hosts, the EAST CAPE SHOTOKAN-RYU, and its chief instructor, Gary Grapentin Sensei (5th Dan). Unequivocally, this will be very useful for those looking for quality karate lessons (see the time and location schedule below): namely, classes in Port Alfred, Grahamstown, the Kenton on Sea Karate Academy, Fort Beaufort Karate Academy, Yellowwoods Primary School Karate Club (midway between Adelaide and Fort Beaufort).

PHOTO, VIDEOS AND ARTICLES ARE ON THE WAY: However, before I offer this schedule (and the aforementioned profiles on ECSR and Gary Sensei) I'd like to emphasise that I will be filtering out a series of articles in the coming weeks covering my open seminars at the Fish River Sun; daily one-on-one technical sessions for Gary Sensei and Maureen Sensei; the training in the Joza township; special classes for the ECSR instructors/senior grades, and local media. Last, but certainly not least, video footage from these sessions will also soon be available, so stay tuned! Osu, André  

 PS - To all karateka who attended my seminars in South Africa, you are invited to offer feedback. If you are willing to do this, please email me at: andrebertelono@gmail.com. Furthermore, with your permission this will be published, here on my website/blog. 

 

 

ABOUT EAST CAPE SHOTOKAN-RYU:

 

East Cape Shotokan-Ryu (ECSR) is based in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa and was established in 1992. ECSR currently comprises the following academies and clubs: Kowie Karate Academy (Port Alfred), Albany Karate Academy (Grahamstown), Kenton on Sea Karate Academy, Fort Beaufort Karate Academy, Yellowwoods Primary School Karate Club (midway between Adelaide and Fort Beaufort), Rhodes University Shotokan Karate Club (Grahamstown) and the Kingswood College Karate Enrichment Programme (Grahamstown). Membership includes children and teenagers as well as a large contingent of adult karateka. One of ECSR’s objectives is to strengthen and unite relations between the various communities within the Eastern Cape. This is in part realised through links to the Joza, Makana and Fingo Karate Clubs which are situated in the previously disadvantaged areas of Grahamstown.

Chief Instructor - Gary Grapentin Sensei: Gary Grapentin Sensei (5th Dan) has practiced Shotokan karate for the past 28 years and is the head instructor for East Cape Shotokan-Ryu. He also serves as a shihankai member and as the vice chairman of a national style based organisation in South Africa. At ECSR he is assisted by a number of instructors, many of whom began their karate training with him. I highly recommend Gary as a Shotokan Karate instructor and his seeking of high-level traditional technique; moreover, his fine character, which exemplifies the virtues of true Karate-Do.

ECSR special events: Apart from weekly classes, ECSR offers regular gradings at all training venues, mountain and coastal gasshuku, and training seminars conducted by senior guest instructors from various disciplines and styles of karate. ECSR is well-known for annually hosting the prestigious East Coast Karate Open Championships at the Fish River Sun Hotel and Country Club Resort. In 1999, 2008 and 2010 ECSR members enjoyed representation in the South African National All-Styles Junior Karate Team. Although participation in the karate sports arena is encouraged, emphasis is placed on traditional budo karate with the development of a positive attitude and a healthy way of life being of primary importance. Visiting karateka to the area are always most welcome to train at ECSR dojos.  

 

Email contact (Gary Sensei):  garyg@geenet.co.za

 ECSR weekly class schedule

Town/City	Class	Venue	Time	Day
Port Alfred	Beginners	Guide Hall	16:30 - 17:10	Mon & Thurs
Port Alfred	Novice	Guide Hall	17:10 - 18:00	Mon & Thurs
Port Alfred	Intermediate to advanced	Guide Hall	18:00 - 19:00	Mon & Thurs
Kenton on Sea	Beginners	Municipal Hall	14:15 - 15:00	Mon
Kenton on Sea	Novice to intermediate	Municipal Hall	15:00 - 15:55	Mon
Grahamstown	Adults (all levels)	Princess Alice Hall	13:00 - 13:45	Tues & Thurs
Grahamstown	Beginners to intermediate	Princess Alice Hall	13:45 - 14:30	Tues & Thurs
Grahamstown	Beginners	Masonic Hall	17:15 - 17:50	Tues & Thurs
Grahamstown	Novice	Masonic Hall	17:50 - 18:30	Tues & Thurs
Grahamstown	Intermediate &  advanced	Masonic Hall	18:30 - 19:15	Tues & Thurs
Grahamstown	Rhodes Karate Club Beginners to advanced	The Hangar	18:30 - 19:30	Mon & Wed
Grahamstown	Kingswood Enrichment	Kingswood	14:30 - 15:20	Mon
Yellowwoods	Beginners to advanced	Yellowwoods School	12:30 - 13:15	Wed
Yellowwoods	Beginners to advanced	Yellowwoods School	13:15 - 14:00	Wed
Fort Beaufort	Beginners & novice (yellow)	NG Kerk Hall	14:45 - 15:30	Wed
Fort Beaufort	Novice (orange) to advanced	NG Kerk Hall	15:30 - 16:30	Wed
Fort Beaufort	Beginners & novice (yellow)	NG Kerk Hall	17:45 - 18:30	Mon & Thurs
Fort Beaufort	Novice (orange) to advanced	NG Kerk Hall	18:30 - 19:30	Mon & Thurs



Maureen Sensei, me and Gary Sensei after an advanced private lesson.

 © André Bertel. Christchurch, New Zealand (2013).