21.8.2019 / Summer traning camp

Sweat and drudgery in Svatoňovice

Not to forget Taekwon-Do during summer time our school Sonkal went to traditional summer camp in Malé Svatoňovice in the Eastern Czech. Unlike previous years this time the camp did not take place at the end of August but in the middle of July from 13th to 21st. At the beginning the practicing was easy because the temperature was not pretty high and it was also sometimes rainy.
Later, though, the thermometer showed a bit higher numbers which significantly influenced our power. Still most of us did not give up and bravely faced the heating despite the sweat-soaked uniforms or T-shirts.

At least I had feelings that this summer camp was really exhausting. The training plan was as usual. In the morning the first part belonged to lower belts from white to green. They were divided to four groups according to their degree. Each group were led by one of four trainers Tomaš Vodička, Pavel Zavadil, Jan Dvořáček and Jiří Novák. This training took place from 9:00 to 10:30. Next one hour and half was scheduled for higher group from blue stripes to black belts under the lead of Ondřej Vrábel or Martin Svitek but the latter had to leave after two days because of his working duties.

The two afternoon trainings were at the same time from 15:30 to 17:30. The group of lower belts was one day led by couple of trainers Tomáš Vodička/Jan Dvořáček and next day by couple Pavel Zavadil/Jiří Novák. Higher belts were led by Ondřej Vrábel and one of the trainers of lower group assisted him. The evening lessons were voluntary except the first day because of the absence of the morning training. Right before the first evening training on July the 13th there was black belt pre-testing of our outstanding competitor Ondřej Faltin. He was well-prepared and showed great performance. The trainors Ondřej Vrábel and Martin Svitek were truly strict but also satisfied and let him go to the black belt testing. So we can expect new black belt in Sonkal School.

On Tuesday evening we made a campfire instead of the training and everybody could roast some sausages or slice of bread. That was appreciated by those hungry ones who always had a second dinner. Of course, there was also some music and singing with guitar so there was a lot of entertainment.

Strenuous effort was interrupted by day off on Wednesday. There was no training but nobody was bored. In the morning we went to nearby forest to take some photos and I believe that we managed to take beautiful pictures of all the participants. You can find them on our website. In the afternoon we had a friendly basketball tournament and there were a lot of those who took part. For the winning teams of younger or older categories the organisers even had some medals which were given to us by local sponsor the restaurant Salamandr.

On Thursday late afternoon all of us gathered in an assembly room of the dormitory to watch a promo video of one of our prime competitors Jan Veškrna. In that footage he as a brave Taekwondist defeated two rogues who attacked him. Not just him but also his two villains showed great action techniques and all f was truly enjoyed that show.

At the end of summer camp there were traditional colour belts testing. But before that, on Saturday instead of the evening training, there was pre-testing where was decided who can attend testing on Sunday. Even though there was a great number of those who successfully passed the pre-testing, lots of others were not allowed to advance to higher degree and most of them were truly disappointed. But I guess it´s not the reason to be sad for all of them have other chances in the following year and I believe they are going to improve their performances. But it is still up to them. All of those who were permitted to testing made great job and passed with no shame and I hereby congratulate them. I hope and believe that this is another step and motivation for practicing and improving.

On Sunday after the testing we had to clean up all of or stuff that we used for our trainings. Then we just packed the rest of our clothes and other things and then headed back to Prague. I dare say that despite the exhaustion and pain during exercises the camp went well. Perhaps everybody enjoyed it not just during trainings but also during team games that were prepared for kids by Veronika Holečková. One of the most positive things is that children did not have to go to school right after the end of the camp as usual. They could still enjoy a big part of their summer holiday.

Everybody, who attended the camp or not, should not forget to practice Taekwon-Do even during the holiday. It would keep you in shape and you would not be surprised at the beginning of new school year what is happening. I am looking forward to seeing you at autumn classes and other camps and competitions in following year.