Past Events
Over the years that the association has been active we have enjoyed the opportunity to visit many countries and train with the members there, those visited include Belgium, China, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Italy, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, the USA. At the same time we have hosted many courses and visits to the UK. With Ju Jitsuka from those countries.
The trips have often been in the company of families and friends and these trips continue through to today with New Zealand seeming to be everyone’s favourite. We have had the opportunity to train in the USA and also fly over the Grand Canyon; we have trained in New Zealand and also visited many ‘Lord of the Rings’ sites. We have also trained in South Africa and enjoyed going on safari and holidayed in Sun City, our Ju Jitsu has allowed us to experience all of this. As a member you could enjoy these too, here are some of the pictures from some of the trips.
Belgium
We have been visiting this charming west european country since 1991 attending courses as well as social events. It was with the enthusiasm of the senior coaches from here that Yoshimi was formed in 2002. Our visits to Belgium are to their two main centres for their national association which are Vise and Aalst and our annual exchanges will continue for some time. This weekend trip is the most popular in the calendar.
Hungary
Hungary appears to be the second most popular annual trip each year and we have visited every year since 2002, and on occasions twice a year. The group are based in the wonderful city of Budapest but we have been taken all around this beautiful eastern european country from Estergom in the north to Lake Balaton in the west, a lovely country with wonderful people.
China, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand
China, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand visits here only happen when we have been elsewhere like Australia or New Zealand and we stop off to break the journey. Normally one nights stay to break the outward journey and two or three night on the return. This stop off was on our way back from Sidney where we stopped of in Bangkok and in the picture are four of the coaches visiting the Golden Palace in the city, you see its not just training there is a little culture too. In the picture are Carla Ebers, Diane Monk, Maria and Philip Friend.
South Africa
South Africa is another of our favourite countries, we have been there four times training in the past and each time we have been able to see even more of this amazing land. From the majestic Drakensburg mountains to the rolling plains of Kruger and Pilansburg national parks. We have been lucky enough to see most of the big five although no leopards we’re afraid. We have travelled from Pietersburg in the north to Cape Town in the south, even to visiting the notorious Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 18 years. We have played with 10 week old lion cubs experienced living in the bush for several nights, truly experiences that will last forever like the picture here of our accommodation.
New Zealand
The most amazing country ever, from the semi Antarctic in the south to the sub tropical in the north a country of contrasts and we have been lucky enough to visit and enjoy many of the sights. Bungee Jumping in Queenstown, Zorbing in Rotarua, White Water Rafting on the Bolder River in Westport and the famous Jet Boating on as many occasions as we could. We do train as well and on this occasion we were able to grade both of the Ian’s, Murph to 2nd. Dan and Hauss to 1st. Dan. They are working really hard to promote Ju Jitsu in their home town and we enjoy helping them.
Scandinavia
Scandinavia has also been a very popular destination with us visiting Finland several years ago and Denmark and Sweden more recently, Yoshimi Ju Jitu International has friends in both countries and we still enjoy regular visits whenever possible.
The USA
The USA has been another very popular destination, New York, Florida, California, Las Vegas and Houston have been some of the destinations. The picture is the group at NASA Space Control Centre, where we were shown around the centre. The martial arts are very diverse in the USA and many of the coaches always want to come to the UK to run seminars and courses, many of which we have attended. We hope that you enjoyed our review of past trips, we’re looking forward to the ones to come.
