Western Union Competition
Our third successive year entering the WKU competition at Weston-Super-Mare and it just keeps getting better. This year so many families wanted to go that we had to get a 71 seat double decker to transport us there, and a couple of families drove.
The weather on arrival was not what we hoped for but the rain held off and everyone went and did their own thing, visiting fairs and booking restaurants etc. Later that night most met up in the bar for a few beers and a chat, it was a nice first night.
The competition was, as always, very well run by Wendy White and we arrived nice and early to get some spectator seats. Although not quite as busy as the first year we entered it had about the perfect number of entrants to make it busy but not a hassle. The standard is always good here and what I personally enjoy is the different opponents for our squad - usually we come up against the same old faces time and time again. Here it is different with some excellent Welsh clubs and Southern clubs entered. Also, the atmosphere here is second to none. The edge and nervous tension seems to be more relaxed here than anywhere else. Plus, a lot of my favourite referees judge this competition so on the whole everything seems fairly refereed. There were some outstanding performances by the newer Dokan squad members and I was proud of all of my squad.
Dokan finished the day at the top of the medal table which I was particularly pleased about as we did not have as good category split as usual. We had 11 blackbelt girls in the same section. Not much more I can say except it was a great competition and everyone enjoyed the day. The kids are talking about next years WKU tournament already.
After the competition we all went to an Italian in town which Lisa Snowdon had booked for about 80 of us and we had the most fantastic meal. The following day it was off to the fair with the kids before heading home on the afternoon.
It is the social times together like this that bonds Dokan kids and parents together.
How many karate clubs can take 80+ people 320 miles on a seven hour drive and have a great time together? The kids love this weekend and a lot of the adults have grown to love it too.
Especially me.
