WapCaplet Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 Hello all! Welcome to the new and improved KarateForums website!! What's new, you ask? Why, I am! That's what. That makes the website new, doesn't it? Maybe not improved though... Ok, perhaps a lame way to introduce myself. I just discovered this forum this morning and thought I would join. I've been studying Shotokan Karate for the last year with the ACKU in Calgary, Canada. Anyone in the vicinity? Only a green belt so far, but I am absolutely LOVING karate training. I guess I came to the right place. Here's a quick question to get some different opinions: The club I train at does very little contact when teaching kumite. It's classed as "semi-contact". Bascially we learn the 5-step and 1-step required for grading as well as practice our basics against one another, but there is no free-sparring in the dojo. There is a seperate kumite class that you can take, but the required protective gear costs almost $500, so I haven't checked that out yet. So the question is, how important to you feel full free-sparring is when one is first learning karate? I enjoy the method of teaching so far, but I realize how important sparring can be. Obviously karate is a martial art and is designed for combat. Am I jeopardizing myself by not learning to free-spar now, as opposed to waiting until Brown or Red belt level? Anyway, just wanted to get some different opinions, and say hi. Cheers, Wap "Fighting fighting. Same Same""But you know karate!""Someone always know more..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 Welcome. Patrick O'Keefe - KarateForums.com AdministratorHave a suggestion or a bit of feedback relating to KarateForums.com? Please contact me!KarateForums.com Articles - KarateForums.com Awards - Member of the Month - User Guidelines Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pacificshore Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 Welcome Di'DaDeeeee!!!Mind of Mencia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karatekid1975 Posted September 30, 2003 Share Posted September 30, 2003 Welcome to KF Laurie F Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G95champ Posted October 1, 2003 Share Posted October 1, 2003 welcome (General George S. Patton Jr.) "It's the unconquerable soul of man, and not the nature of the weapon he uses, that ensures victory." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaiFightsMS Posted October 1, 2003 Share Posted October 1, 2003 Welcome to the forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tombstone Posted October 1, 2003 Share Posted October 1, 2003 Odd introduction Welcome. And sparring is important Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninjanurse Posted October 4, 2003 Share Posted October 4, 2003 Welcome!!! "A Black Belt is only the beginning."Heidi-A student of the artsTae Kwon Do,Shotokan,Ju Jitsu,Modern Arnishttp://the100info.tumblr.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CloudDragon Posted October 4, 2003 Share Posted October 4, 2003 welcome A Black Belt is just a white belt that don't know when to quit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darce Posted October 7, 2003 Share Posted October 7, 2003 Yeah, strange introduction. But hi! Shukokai Karate, Orange belt ( 7. kyu) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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