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Report on Waterfall Training Saturday 4th January 2005
by
Senpai Stephen Hare

At last this year I had the opportunity to attend the annual Scwd-yr-Eira waterfall training held on Saturday 8th Jan 2005. My wife and daughter traveled down with me the day before, staying at a local Travel Inn. The weather was a bit of a concern due to the extreme gales overnight around the country, but as luck would have it from about 8:30 Saturday morning the sun came out, the sky cleared and remained that way.

As we arrived at the Lamb Hotel and others started to appear and prepare themselves my wife commented that we were all mad, Osu’ing going on everywhere and people getting dressed into old Gi’s on the side of the road – not a pretty sight.
At last the call from Shihan Mac, ‘Any Waterfall Virgins raise your hands’ he called, I don’t know how many of the 34 participants put their hands up but myself, Senpai Mark Kingsland, Geraldine Allars and Terry Hunter all from Bishops Stratford raised our hands as we were all ‘Waterfall Virgins’. After the briefing we were off jogging the few miles over boggy fields to the waterfall stopping en-route for some Kihon and Sanchin Kata.

Seeing the waterfall for the first time was quite spectacular especially after all the recent rainfall. Everyone prepared by removing tops and foot wear – I didn’t think beforehand that it was to be in bare feet! Anyway, all minimally dressed we headed off in grade order down the hill and worked our way behind the waterfall to the opposite bank, settling down ready for the next bout of Kihon. Not too bad so far I thought but that lasted about 2mins with the freezing cold spray in my eyes and starting to make my head go numb.
At last the instruction to return back under the waterfall, easy when you think that was it, but no, still more to come. Next we’re behind the waterfall punching away just to keep the flow of blood moving around your body waiting your turn to step down to the lower ledge, as close to the wall of water as you could get for yet more punching. My turn arrived and after slipping down onto the lower ledge in a less than graceful manner I completed the 50 punches and just before losing total feeling in my head I was out on my way back up the slope to get something warm on.
Actually, that was the next interesting part, trying to undo the knots in your Gi bottoms with no feeling in your fingers. In the end I just gave up and kept them on (Reminder to self – next time use elasticated waist). After standing in cold water for the duration of the training you forget about your feet and how cold they have become, but it’s not long, whilst attempting to put your socks and shoes back on that you are reminded!

On the return journey I joined Shihan Mac, in what appears to be another tradition, a drink of Saki at the top of the hill – hits the spot.
Back at the Lamb Hotel to change into clean and warm clothing have refreshments and generally talk to everyone else about their experience.
A total donations of £109.11 were made by those who attended for the Red Cross Tsunami appeal. Many thanks for Cardiff Dojo for keeping this annual event going and now I’am looking forward to next year, but at least not as a ‘Waterfall Virgin’……Senpai Stephen Hare
Bishops Stratford Kyokushin Karate Club