Carley Brockway (left) training at King’s Sports Centre

One of the sporting disciplines available at King’s Sports Centre is karate.

The Cayman Associated Schools of Karate (CASK) has been teaching Wado Karate at the centre for over a year now. It is a defensive art and one of the four major styles of karate practised in the world.

Karate means “open hand” or without a weapon. Wado translates to “the school” or “way of peace”.

According to Sensei Greg Reid, “Wado karate is suitable for men, women and children of all ages. The training recognises each person’s limitations and helps them to achieve individual goals.” He added that, “Karate is 90 percent mental and ten percent physical. Amid the noise and rapid changes of modern society one can find in Karate-do a peace of mind that will never be shaken.”

Two recent visitors to the centre were Chris and Carley Brockway, former students of Sensei Greg from Vancouver, Canada. They came to Grand Cayman for a ten-day vacation and also to study the methods used at CASK to introduce youngsters to Wado Karate.

Chris and Carley, who started training with Sensei Greg nearly seven years ago in Victoria, both agree that their instruction was first rate. They are now preparing to open their own school back in Canada so were keen to both study under their former mentor and seek guidance on how to approach their own training programmes.

CASK runs beginner, intermediate and black belt programmes throughout the year. Sensei Greg uses a traditional approach to the training with emphasis placed on mental and physical discipline in a safe and enjoyable learning environment.

The beginner’s programme is an introductory course designed to break down the misconceptions about karate and prepare students for the intermediate class. Each class begins with callisthenics, starting with an aerobic workout then a full stretch routine and strength exercises. At this stage only limited self-defence skills are taught and the emphasis is on getting away from an attacker.

Beginners learn three basic kicks then, as they progress, move on to practice a wide variety of “geri” or kicking skills.

Kihon, another aspect of karate discipline, simply means the basics. These train students to deliver a multitude of techniques while developing strong stance and precise movements.

Kata is a series of defence and attack exercises performed against imaginary opponents. Kata develops techniques, speed, strength, timing, rhythm, breathing, concentration and focus.

Adult students are introduced to Kumite or sparring. This is practiced from the intermediate level. It is a controlled exercise, with participants striving to score points but avoiding full contact and possible injury. Kumite is preparation for competition at national or international level.

The intermediate programme introduces students to the belt ranking system; this starts at white and progresses through the colours to black. At black belt the rankings progress from 1st Dan upwards.

The black belt programme is exclusively for senior brown belt and black belt holders. It teaches very advanced techniques.

CASK holds evening classes for adults and weekend classes for youngsters. During the summer school break, CASK also conducts a series of training sessions for youngsters.

To contact CASK call 928-3366 or you can pick up a brochure at King’s Sport Centre reception.