On Thursday 7th September 2006 myself (Steve Leak) and my partner Trish flew out to San Francisco to visit my friend and former student Diane. After a long flight of ten hours we arrived at San Francisco airport feeling very tired. We where met by Diane's husband Carol.

As this was our  first time in the USA Carol drove the hire car a few miles outside of the city. Then the real fun began. How do you get this thing in gear, why are we going through a red light, why is petrol so cheap where the main comments. But we got to our hotel in one  piece.

During the stay we where well looked after by Diane and her Sensei Tom Kubiak of Family Martial Arts of America. we where escorted everywhere and Diane    had a daily schedule worked out for us. She was marvellous. Sensei Kubiak also showed us around the small American town of Martinez.

Diane and Tom made us feel like royalty during our visit. we where taken to some of the best restaurants in California I think! We had a Mexican lunch with Tom and his wife on the first day. This gave us chance to get to know Tom. During our visit both Tom and I realised we felt the same passion about the martial arts and lots of other things in life.

Diane showed us around San Francisco and we did all the sights. The cable car ride was a dream come try for me and also for Diane's daughter who got to ride the cars after a wait of one hour. China town is just that, a town. Pier 39 is a real tourist attraction and the sea food is fantastic.

On the Saturday Sensei Kubiak allowed me to take a couple of his classes which was great fun. The main karate event took place on the Tuesday evening when I was invited to teach bunkai to all the classes and also in front of Sensei Llewellyn 7th Dan, chief instructor for Panama and also the author of Shotokan`s Secrets, Sensei Bruce Clayton.

After the mini seminar we all went to a fantastic Chinese restaurant for dinner followed by evening drinks at Steve Callaway's house. He is one Sensei Kubiak`s students and fantastic host.

                                                  Steve & Trisha        Steve & Diane          Steve Teaching           Group Photo          All Sensei's

We are hoping to see Sensei Kubiak here in the UK in the future but we are also talking about our next visit to FMAA and I hope we can take a few more students with us in the future.

I would like to thank Diane, Carol, Kevin, Caroline, Tom, Sensei Llewellyn, Sensei Clayton, Steve Calloway and all the students and families that made us so welcome in Martinez

KARATE INTERNATIONAL END OF YEAR PARTY 2006

Friday 15th February 2006 was the date of the end of year family party and awards. Over 50 students and parents attend this event (I hoped for more). All the instructors and adults had been out for a meal the week before.

Most of the students that attend received awards of merit but two people where awarded outstanding achievement awards. They where Alan Stanley and Sara Hirst. Both these people attend classes two or three times each week and also attend Kobudo classes. They both excel in their martial arts and always give 100%.

Sensei Peter Clarke of Kodokan Jiu Jitsu and his wife pat also attended the party and we had a great time dancing to the disco and eating till we burst. At the end of the evening all those children below 16 received a small present.

I hope that we can entice more people to attend the next event.

Photo's coming soon