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2007 European Instructor's Conference

16th - 18th November 2007

The inaugural European Instructor's conference was held in Caldas da Reinha, Portugal and was attended by instructors from Germany, the United Kingdom and of course Portugal. The conference was presided over by Sa Bom Nim Wynford Williams (Chief Instructor Europe). Sa Bom Nim's aims were to pass on what he had covered with Choong Jae Nim in his recent visit to headquarters.

Delegates began arriving on the Friday with events commencing almost immediately. An instructor's class was arranged for the Friday afternoon with a Dan classing to follow. Saturday saw seminars all day covering a multitude of topics. Sunday was reserved for discussions between the senior instructors.

Instructor's Class

The conference opened with a class run by Sa Bom Nim Williams. A lot of the ITF syllabus was covered with discussion around points where there were differences in the way things were practised. Sa Bom Nim emphasised the need for a uniform standard across all instructors.

Many discussions and catching up took place throughout the conference.

The class ended with a full understanding and consensus of what should be taught.

Testing

After the Instructor's class followed the red & black belt testing.

Candidates ready for testing

The examination panel consisted of Sa Bom Nim Williams, Master Richard Hellings, Master Annette Salles, Kyo Sah Abilio Augusto and Kyo Sah Christina Augusto.

Black Belt Ho Sin Sool

The examination panel were impressed with the ability shown by all the candidates and with their Tang Soo Do spirit.

Candidates undertaking 'Kyok Pa'

The language difference was generally not a problem as all the instructions were given in Korean. This was not however the case when covering culture & Terminology where translation skills were needed. Sa Bom Nim would like to thank Mr Mathies and Mr Peter Augusto for their help in this area.

Culture & Terminology

As with all testing's there are areas that need clarification, discussion and correction but overall it was felt that the testing candidates demonstrated a good technical standard.

Testing Class

Seminars

The seminars commenced early on Saturday morning and continued well into the late evening. Each seminar lasted approximately 2 hours and covered everything from the basics to advanced hyung. The seminars were conducted by Sa Bom Nim Williams and he was assisted by the Masters and instructors in attendance.

Starting Seminar

The attendees enjoyed the explanation of the techniques given by Sa Bom Nim Williams.

Sa Bom Nim demonstrating Ha Dan Mahkee

Master Richard Hellings giving one on one tuition

Master Annette Salles demonstration correct blocking

The enjoyment wasn't limited to the students but was fully shared by the instructors.

Master Annette Salles practising with the class

Sa Bom Nim Williams teaching the children

Sa Bom Nim Williams spent a lot of time explaining the intricacies of technique so that not only the students attending could improve their standard but so that the instructors would experience another way of teaching and communicating these with students.

Sa Bom Nim Williams explaining Ahneso Pahkero Mahkee

Even the instructors got a first hand demonstration. At the end of each seminar an attendance certificate was issued to all students.

Black belt / Red Belt seminar attendees

All the delegates travelled back on the Sunday but before leaving there was time for some sight seeing and a chance to see the beautiful coast line. Even then Tang Soo Do was on the minds of all.