April 2009 – James Crisp

Soosun and I had a lovely week in New Zealand, and great weather. We visited the North Island, landing in Auckland. We drove straight to Rotorua, arriving in time for dinner. The next day, we visited White Island, the most volcanic area in the Southern Hemisphere. Pretty amazing, had to wear gas masks. Steam, acid, sulphur and bubbling pools everywhere!

Then on to the Tongariro Crossing, probably the best bushwalk I have ever done – 19kms of amazing scenery, steep climbs, volcanic craters, lakes and the “Mount Doom” volcano from the Lord of the Rings. Although it took all day, it was not a walk that ever left you bored – so much variety, ending finally with rainforest.

We went adventure caving in Waitomo (the Black Abyss), which started with tight abseil down a chimney, swimming and sloshing through wet caves in a wetsuit and floating on tires, some tight squeezes and we finally got back to the surface climbing up another chimney. Great fun!

More New Zealand photos here.

Step in and strike at the first sign of movement of your combatant. Do not wait for their strike. Do no over-extend your body. Especially if they are bigger than you, ensure you are close enough to be in your optimal range. Maintain structure. Strike and continue to control, keep them off balance and cramped as you follow up. Your attack is your best defense and gives you the advantage.

When rolling, imagine your arms are around a witches hat – wide bit at your body, small end is your hands. Imagine your arm and hands are drilling into your partner’s chest. Also, when you come down from bong sau to pierce, this should be going forwards too. It is a strike and your partner will need to be defending against it with the arm doing the fook sau.

The “party” counter arm grab using elbow over (left hand grabbed by right, or right hand grabbed by left) ends with drawing the opponent’s hand towards your body. Imagine bringing your elbow to your ribs (this avoids bending or leaving stance).

The “party” counter arm grab using wrist and fingers pointing down (left hand grabbed by left or right hand grabbed by right) starts by moving around the force the opponent is placing on you (circular move, often around and up) and ends pointing your wrist and fingers towards the ground (where you want your opponent to be forced to go).

Software dev, tech, mind hacks and the occasional personal bit

Month: April 2009

New Zealand Holiday ’09

Wing Chun Notes – Striking, Rolling & “Party” Counter Arm Grabs