Report on Waterfall Training Saturday 6th January 2007 
by
Senpai Reg Harris

8 students from Bury St.Edmunds Dojo including Shihan Mac, made the four and a half hour journey to Wales on 6/1/07 to undertake the annual ritual of the Waterfall Training at the Scwd-yr-Eira falls. This was a special year for our club, as it was the most students we have ever taken to the Falls, with three waterfall virgins braving the icy waters for the first time, and two Senpai’s running to and fro from the falls barefoot (which we believe was a first). For once, the temperate Welsh climate ,deviated from the usual snow, ice, fog or gale force winds, to absolutely chuck it down with driving rain, which only added to the sense of anticipation.

We all met at the Slaughtered Lamb Pub, with a good turn out of 28 Karateka from various clubs from England and Wales. Senpai Steve Crane and Shihan Mac led the event, and after the usual health and safety briefing, we set off at quite literally, a blistering pace. For myself and Senpai Brett Allum, this proved an an additional challenge, as the slate and shingle track, dotted with sheep and horse manure made barefoot running particularly “interesting”, however we were soon off road and into the scenic Ray Mears territory. The high rainfall had made the often wet terrain even more sodden this year, with Shihan Mac leading from the front in being the first to make a spectacular, near perfect mud dive. Once he had demonstrated this, with his usual impeccable technique, the rest of then proceeded to follow suit in falling over at least once each, and covering our gi’s in huge brown mud stains.

After two stops on the run to carry out combinations of punches and kicks, we re-grouped, before we descended the steep twisting path to the falls. Once at the waters edge we all de-robed and made our way in grade order behind the huge wall of water, much swollen and frothing by the heavy rainfall, and then retracing our steps we undertook our punches. For me this is one of the high lights to my karate year, a true test of spirit and heart. Not only do you come away with a sense of achieving something truly unique, but I find it almost spiritual and a way of cleansing the soul, particularly after all the excesses of Christmas and is quite literally a fresh start to the New Year.

With every one safely through, the next part of the ritual was to yomp up the ravine to have a series of toasts to the New Year on the large flat rock that flanks the footpath entrance to the falls. Then back to the Lamb, for a hot drink and a roll and a general mickey taking session, with Tokei Dojo getting a bit of flack, for arriving fashionably late!! (Again).

If you haven’t been to the falls before, you must try to go, it’s a big experience, and only a select few people in the country have done it which makes it all the more special.

With thanks to Senpai Steve Crane for organising and running the day, and to Senpai Steve Crane for the photographs.

Osu!! Senpai Reg Harris, Bury St.Edmunds Dojo.

P.S. We are looking for more new recruits to run it bare foot again next year….