Tribute to master on the beach
There may have been half the usual number of participants due to Covid-19 but positive temperatures boosted a positive mood during the annual midwinter karate training in Caroline Bay.
‘‘We usually get 70 odd people from all over the country but because of Covid this year, everything is different,’’ shihan Dave Moore, of Seido Karate Timaru, told The Timaru Herald yesterday morning.
‘‘We’re glad it’s not minus five [degrees Celsius] though, we’ve had that before.’’
The 30-odd participants this year ranged in age from 5 years old to ‘‘older’’ and came from clubs in Temuka, Geraldine and Timaru, he said.
The event has been running for more than 40 years and was started by sei shihan Michael
Higgs who died just over a year ago.
‘‘This event is now dedicated to him,’’ Moore said.
A minute’s silence was held after the greeting in memory of Higgs.
Moore said they were pleased to be able to get back to training properly and yesterday was a great chance to bring everyone together after months of restrictions due to the pandemic.
‘‘Social distancing was really hard because we would normally spar and grapple,’’ he said.
‘‘We just had to space out and kata instead.’’
Kata describes a pattern on movements that can be done solo.
Now members are able to train again, they are working towards a grading in July, Moore said.
Following training on the beach in 6-7 degree Celsius temperatures, the group ran into the sea for the traditional midwinter swim.