Students learn new skills at annual karate seminar

A SPECIAL workshop with advanced instructors and high-level teaching was hosted by the Byron Shire Shotokan Kase-Ha Karate Do and Self Defence team at an annual workshop.

Students from across the region gathered for the event at the Bangalow Showground, learning vital new skills and advanced techniques.

The workshop was by delivered by sensei Mark Smith, who is the chief instructor of Kase-Ha Shotokan Karate Australia.

He is based in Melbourne and represented Australia at the JKA World Cup in 1978.

Smith was assisted by Jean Boussard, who runs Byron Shire Kase-Ha Shotokan Karate & Self Defence dojo at Bangalow.

Boussard said it was “an amazing opportunity to benefit from the teaching of a very advanced instructor, while cross training with other karatekas and martial artists in an open seminar”.

He established the academy in Byron Bay in 1998 and has been based ar Moller Pavilion at Bangalow Showground for the last 15 years, where he teaches several times a week.

Boussard is a 2nd Dan in Taekwon Do and has been initiated into many other martial arts, including Vietvodao (black belt), judo, aikido, kendo, nunchaku, Tai Chi, capoeira and Thai kickboxing.

Each session incorporates meditation, techniques, drills and breath work.

The academy has specialist coaches with an array of skills which can be taught at all levels.

Its team is active in the community and runs sessions with participants ranging in age from school students to people in aged care facilities.

For more information on classes and instructors visit byronshireshotokan.com .