Considering the discussion of kumite rules, and my necessary no-show at the MAP meet, the idea of having a little karate get together popped in to my head. Maybe we could have a whip round to fly fishy and mitlov over, and we could then debate a new set of awesome karate rules using the time honoured way of the fist. And crying, sulking and stamping feet... Regardless of this taking place or not, what events should we have, and what different rules should we have to maker karate even awesomememer?
I'm going to ask a stupid question: Would you have to be a kareteka to participate? I like the idea personally.
Where should we host it? Let me put it this way: the photos taken in "southwestern Oregon," "Takilma," and "Ashland" are all in my immediate vicinity: http://www.larrysgallery.com/2.html And all of this is a half-hour from where I am: http://www.whiteweasel.net/trips/vac2001a/index.html As for the rules, I'd like to see full-contact continuous sparring with some degree of protective gear (ideally including Kudo spaceman helmets so I don't end up any uglier than I already am).
As for location I was thinking somewhere in the UK. Perhaps somewhere central and well connected? Brum springs to mind... As for non karate-ka entering, I think it'd be ok, but it'd be an entirely karate-oriented ruleset, and partially for fun, partially to see what rules work better than others. (didn't actually think I'd get proper serious responses! I'm chuffed!) Very early stages, but maybe we could have some kind of collection to help finally get MAP's server up and running...
Largely because we're not in any way licensed or insured to host a tournament in the site's name, and would feel rather uncomfortable if anyone were to get hurt in a sparring-based event set up in our name without being under our control. I'm more than happy for MAP to be associated with an event like this, but another school or individual would have to be listed as the organiser and host, I'm afraid.
Why don't you class it as a "open" or freestyle event but focus heavily on the rules you want to include. Thats what I've done for my event held late september if you fancy a trip to cardiff Id be happy to cover the insurance for the day on the venue and provide some mats
I'd be game for taking part - I guess somewhere central-ish with good transport links would be good for location?
(Pssst... the US is the center of the universe. Can't get more central than that. Just sayin'...)* *Statement made in irony, for those who like to take such things too seriously.
Well, before anyone heads to Oregon, I have a buddy that lives in Grant's Pass (about 40 minutes away), and according to him, there are Sasquatch that will kidnap you in the middle of the night. Now IIRC, Sasquatch rate just below Giant Squid, and we know you don't want to tangle with them. On the other hand, Atlanta has great music, great food, and an airport, which Oregon probably lacks entirely. And it's a much shorter trip from the UK. Go big. Go ATL.
Josephine County (where Grants Pass is located) is a cross between Red Dawn and Deliverance. You can tell him I said that Jackson County (where Ashland and Medford are located) is A River Runs Through It with a dash of Shakespeare in Love. And Oregon DOES have an airport. Biplanes and zeppelins land there all the time. How dare you suggest we don't have modern conveniences?!
ah, but if you guys have a UK based you won't be able to get your best member there. Me... *cricket sounds* Man, I was hopin for a little support there. Here's a possibly stupid question. Could we bring non-MAPers as guests, say from our dojo?
