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| Newsletter | February 2010 |
IN THIS ISSUE
1 - World Wild Geese
2 - Level 1 Kettlebell Lifting Workshop
3 - Training On An Injury
4 - Four Day Combined Ship Security Officer (SSO) & Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO) Course
5 - On The Blog
1- World Wild Geese
I have lost count of the amount of times we have been told that we don’t market ourselves well.That’s all about to change because Wild Geese have gone international!
Ok, here’s what I’m getting at.
When one of Ed Parkers students moved to Dublin in the early 60’s and opened a club, Parkers Kenpo became the International Kenpo Karate Association or Federation or whatever. The point is, it was International and by implication, huge.
Now I don’t know how long Wild Geese has been around, because my
memory gets a bit hazy after a day or two, but over the years we have become a group spread over several countries. Samir Salma has just set up a school in the Gambia, Frank or “Chino” as he’s better known, is well established in Cuba, Miguel Arroyo is opening a school in Florida and Steve (ESTS) is a certified instructor in the UK.Last year, when Dave Gordon returned from Thailand we roped him in too, so now we have all 4 continents covered.
By the way, Dave Gordon is back from Thailand for the remainder of this year and will be teaching Muay Thai in the Headquarters every Monday and Friday at 6pm.
This has developed into a tightly knit, highly motivated workforce, that we are now starting to market and franchise aggressively on a global level. Yes Lads, I know I never return phone calls or write, but I did email you all a happy Christmas. And, by the way, Chino – you will be getting those DVD’s I promised you, soon, I hope.
Do we want to go down the road of consumer martial arts? I think not.
Do any of us have the slightest idea of how to run a business? Well, that ought to be obvious….
Whether or not Wild Geese becomes a recognised brand (why do I hate that sentence?). Whether or not we make a fortune, or even a living out of martial arts, there is really only one thing that matters to me:
The standards we have set are the standards we keep.
Now this could be a controversial article in itself but I think not doing gradings is a good way of maintaining standards in our students – that one will get around the twittering and forums!
If and when any of our students want gradings we will grade them but we are more interested in whether you can do it first. You are only as good as the training you do today. If there are no fees coming in from gradings then there is no temptation to manufacture grades to make a bit more cash when times are bad.
We maintain our own standards by looking to train with the people that
constantly push us. My training partners have always been younger, bigger and stronger than me, I have always found that this has kept me on top of my game, and given me an excuse when I get my arse kicked.Just yesterday I was training kettlebells with Dave “I hate it if there’s a weight in the gym I can’t lift” Gordon and Dave “yeah that’s good, but it only gets interesting if you can do it for 10 mins with the 32kg” Hedges. Best training session I’ve had in ages.
Every couple of months I go over to London for a couple of days to get my ass kicked and brain melted by Grandmaster Danny Guba.
Last month he told me that myself and my two nephews have to go to a competition and help give a demo at the Seni show in London. I have no qualms about bringing my nephews over as they are not trained as kids, they are trained as fighters doing Chins, Dips, Kettlebells and of course, sparring.
“Paul,” says Danny Guba, “Everyone over here wants to spar with you!” Lovely, thanks Danny, what have you been telling people. Actually, I say bring it on, not because I think I can beat them all, I know I can’t, but if Danny has such a high opinion of me, then I have to live up to it.
So credit for whatever little ability I have goes to my teachers and training partners. Continuing to work with them will keep the standard I have set myself or cripple me in the process!
2 – Level 1 Kettlebell Workshop – Lifting for Lia
On the 2nd Feb a group of fighters and fitness enthusiasts all gathered together at Wild Geese HQ for a Kettlebell Basics workshop. It's something I had been promising for a while, but as I'm so busy, often forget to arrange until too close to the date.
This time though it was different.
Our resident Kickboxing coach, Ronan McSweeny, had actually requested that I run a workshop as he'd seen me using them, had a go and thought, this could help his fighters.
So he put word out amongst his crew and then said "Dave, need to run a workshop"
Who am I to argue with the Irish, 4 Nations and World Full Contact belt title holder?
We set a date and I got to work.
The result was a cracking afternoon with attendance from a wide range of people, Kickboxers, Brazillian JuJitsu players, Mixed Martial Arts fighters, fitness enthusiasts and Donal, our intrepid Judo Coach.
There were one or two cancelled late on but have since paid up and one or two who handed over cash even though they knew they wouldn't be in attendance.
Why would they do such a thing?
Because all the money raised on the day was to be donated to the Lia Stem Cell Fund (www.liastemcellfund.com), I've written about this poor girl before, but please click the link, you'll find a whole heap of info on fundraising events and even instructions on how to donate directly into the fund.
We raised a little over €200 on the day. Future workshops will raise even more.
But back to the day….
After a joint mobility warm up participants were taken in detail through the three foundation movements in kettlebell lifting, the Squat, the Swing and the Press.
Over a 2 hour period the gathered crowd learned, listened, asked questions and practiced these drills until each and every one of them had a thorough understanding of the how’s and why's of the methods taught.
This all culminated in a short workout using the same 3 moves.
I've since decided to call the workshop my Level 1. I will be expanding on this with further workshops until the participant has enough knowledge and experience under his or her belt to become a certified instructor.Unlike any other certification I've seen, the completion of the workshop does not guarantee a pass. I will expect you to teach a seminar or class of beginners (including myself) before the title of Coach is bestowed upon you.
It is a title that can and will be rescinded if misrepresented.
At Wild Geese we take our reputation very seriously.
That said, I will be running another Level 1 workshop on the 7th March, between 12 and 2pm.
Cost will be €20 per head, all going into www.liastemcellfund.com A Level 2 workshop will take place on the 4th April, between 12 and 2pm, for those with more experience or those who have done the level 1.
To book your place email info@wildgeesema.com or phone Dave on 087 672 6090
3 – Training and Injury
Early in my career as a martial arts and fitness enthusiast, long before I knew my hobbies would become my passion and finally my career, I saw a poster that inspired my more than anything else at the time.At the time I was in my teens, held a brown belt in Karate and was taller but skinnier and weaker than most of my competitors. In fact in a recent National Tournament I’d had my butt well and truly kicked.
Then I failed a grading. I’d always walked through my belt tests, my technical proficiency carried me, but all of a sudden, I wasn’t a kid any more and the testers were looking for that little extra. I didn’t have it.
My instructor said one simple sentence, “Dave, you have to get strong!”
But my pride was hurt and I was nursing a sore wrist, so I couldn’t do push ups, etc, blah, blah….
Then flicking through a magazine, I don’t recall what, I came across an advert. It was a recruitment poster for the British Royal Marines. It had some text, the usual “What’s your limit” type thing but it was the image that stuck. I’ve searched for it on the web but can’t find it so I’ll describe it.
It was a black and white image of a bloke halfway through a pull up, and he’s hurting, pushing himself. The photographer is slightly higher than the marine, so his face is up near the lens, his body tailing away. But as you look down the body you notice something.
One of his legs is in a cast, from hip to ankle. This man is injured, his leg is broken or his knee dislocated, something.
Yet here he is, grinding out pull ups. No Excuses!
And I’m sat there feeling sorry for myself because I took a beating? C’mon Dave, get it together.
Since then I’ve had a fair share of injuries, twisted ankles, dislocated fingers, damaged toes, concussions, herniated disk, misaligned SI joint. The usual affair for a man that trains hard and thinks lifting heavy stuff, hitting heavy stuff and hurtling down mountainsides on a bike/board is fun.
But never as an injury stopped me training. And nor should it you.
You merely have to learn how to train.
At the moment my left shoulder is in a heap, it’s got gradually worse over the last two weeks as I’ve intensified my training. It needs a rest, but the rest of me is fine. My schedule today calls for heavy pressing, to do so would be to invite further injury. So instead I’m going to look at my training.
Upper body pressing is out, upper body pulling is a little dodgy, but everything else is good.
I will concentrate on Squats and Deadlifts with a large amount of Core work
while the shoulder gets better. I will take lifts that don’t stress it, and during rest periods I will do mobilisation drills for it (frozen shoulder aint fun, avoid it at all costs!!)That’s ok for the shoulder, but most of us suffer from back trouble. This can be far more restrictive than my little shoulder. But again can you train on it?
Yes, with permission from your physio/doc, you should.
When my back was in bits (misaligned SI joint and herniated disk) I worked hard on Pull ups and press ups. I was unable to use my lower body for anything, so I concentrated on upper body and core strength.
Back problems are often corrected by simple strengthening the muscles around the core. After all the core is designed to hold you in an upright position. So building strength with drills that isometrically work the core, such as Planks, Bridges and Vacuums may be just the ticket. Maybe the Kettlebell swing is just what you need.
Maybe, get clearance and a good coach before you try anything!
There obviously some injuries that you can’t and shouldn’t train on, but a little common sense and professional advice (which is usually lacking in common sense but shouldn’t be discounted) goes a long way.
Ask yourself a serious question next time you have an ouchie and are looking to cancel your training.
Ask yourself if your just making excuses or are you genuinely too banged up to train?
Would that Marine with his leg in a cast quit?
Why should you?
4 - Four Day Combined Ship Security Officer (SSO) & Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO) Course
Thinking of a new direction to take?Have you considered moving into the Specialist Maritime Security Sector?
Whether you wish to work as part of a Maritime Security Team (MST), in the more official capacity of a Ship Security Officer (SSO) on a luxury super yacht, motor cruiser, a cruise liner, an oil or bulk cargo tanker or any other type of vessel.
Or as a shore side Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO) you will be required to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise as a maritime security specialist.
The ESTS International 4-Day Combined Ship Security Officer (SSO) & Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO) course is designed specifically for individuals who wish to either gain more knowledge in their current port security field, or wish to move into port security as a Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO).
The course also covers the relevant areas as defined in the International Ship & Port Facilities Security (ISPS) code and the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) and their use.
This intensive and very informative course is instructed by certified Maritime Security Specialists, Ship Security Officers (SSO) and former Royal Marines Commandos who were members of the Elite Comacchio Group RM, now known as Fleet Protection Group (FPG) RM with an average of 15 years experience in the Security Industry.
________________________________________
The course is designed to instruct the student in (but not limited to) the following areas:
• The principles of international maritime security requirements
• Explore the International Ship & Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code
• Understand the current threats against maritime vessels
• Devise & maintain ship security plans (SSP)
• Appreciate the various security levels
• Develop & maintain measures for controlled access to a vessel
• Conduct ship security & associated risk assessments
• Implementing effective search mechanisms and security controls
• Understanding Port Facility Security Officer security responsibilities
• Conducting a Port Facility Security Assessment
• Devising and maintaining a Port Area Security Plan (PASP)
• Bolstering port security
• Understanding port facility security actions
• Anti-piracy weapons & countermeasures
We are offering the course running on the 12th to 15th February 2010 at the discounted price of £855 (normally £950) UK Pounds. The course will be held at our Head Office in Manchester.
Anyone wishing to attend can book and pay for the course on the following web page:
CLICK HERE FOR BOOKING INFORMATION.
You can also email us at the following email address: info@specialist-security.com.
Stephen Richards CMAS
Director of International Operations
Certified Master Antiterrorism Specialist (CMAS)
Certified Maritime Security Specialist (SSO & CSO)
ESTS International Contact Information:
Email: info@specialist-security.com
Reception: +44 (0) 161 618 1043
Fax: +44 (0) 161 618 1496
Website: www.specialist-security.com
5 - This month on the Blog
If you have questions or comments on any of the blog posts, or even if you’d like to suggest a topic of your own hit the comments button under the post or drop us a line on info@wildgeesema.com.
7 - RECOMMENDED LINKS & PRODUCTS
All Proceeds go to the Leukaemia and Lymphoma Society
This CD contains articles from the leading fitness specialists of our day including:
Adam Campbell; Alan Aragon; Bill Hartman; Bob Youngs; Brian Grasso; Chad Waterbury; Charles Staley; Chris Mohr; Chris Shugart; Craig Ballantyne; Dan John; Dave Tate; Dax Moy; The Doorman; Eric Cressey; Gray Cook; Brett Jones; Harry Selkow; Jack Reape; James Smith; Jason C Brown; Jim "Smitty" Smith; Jason Ferruggia; Jimmy Smith; Joe DeFranco; Joe Dowdell; Joe Stankowski; John Alvino; John Berardi; Julia Ladewski; Keith Scott; Lee Taft; Lori Incledon; Lou Schuler; Lyle McDonald; Mark Philippi; Michael Stare; Mike Boyle; Mike Mahler; Mike Mejia; Mike Robertson; Mike Rousell; Nick Grantham; Pat Beith; Pavel Tsatsouline; Rachel Cosgrove; Robert Dos Remedios; Ryan Lee; Steve Shafley; Susan Hill; TC Luoma; Todd Hamer; Tony Gentilcore; Tony Reynolds and Zach Even-Esh
We originally intended to publish this collection as a book. However - at over 800 pages - costs were prohibitive and we went with the CD option to maximize our contribution.
Minimalist Strength Training without bulk or fancy equipment
Power To The People, Russian Strength Training Secrets for Every American
A pretentious title but a truly fantastic book. Goes into great detail on how to perform the Deadlift safely and how to progress to massive amounts of strength without bulking up or wasting hours in the gym. I personally put 20kg’s onto my deadlift in only a few months of using the programme.
Check it out for your self Here: http://tinyurl.com/deadlift
All the best
The Wild Geese
Doce Pares Ireland / Kenpo Karate / Self Protection / Security Training
www.wildgeesema.com / wildgeesema.blogspot.com
+353 87 672 6090
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