WEST Devon karate instructor Dave Anning travelled to Swindon for a dan grading under the chief instructor of the Southern Shotokan Karate Association.

Tavistock is the western most club in the SSKA which has clubs across the south of England.

After a successful grading Dave attended a packed kata course at Swindon’s New College. Kata is the set sequences of movements commonly associated with karate.

‘Like all martial arts Shotokan is an endless learning process, and there’s no better way to learn than to meet and train with other instructors,’ said Dave.

One of the kata practised on the course was ‘chinte’, a very old kata originating in China, that differs significantly from most Shotokan kata. Unlike most Shotokan techniques, which are linear and direct, chinte has a number of circular or rotational movements and some very unusual hand techniques — chinte literally translates as ‘strange hand’ — that focus on strikes to vulnerable areas. 

‘It’s really important to only learn specialist kata like this from real experts.’ added Dave, who described the course as ‘truly excellent’.

The course was led by chief Instructor of the Association, sensei Stuart Cole, seventh dan, who has more than 30 years of teaching experience.

The club is just starting up at Tavistock College on a Thursday evening. For details see www.sska.co.uk and follow the Tavistock link.