Viking Spirit Camp 2002
Sweden
We recently accompanied Professor Gary Ellis as representatives of Progressive Kenpo Systems, Great Britain to Norkopping in Sweden as guests of Ingmar Johannson. The trip was a first for both Mark and myself on the International Kenpo circuit and it lived up to expectation in every sense of the word. Ingmar, Erika and the rest of the Swedish hosts made this pleasant visit, one to remember.
We were greeted at the airport at midnight by Ingmar and Tim Hartman (one of the guest instructors) and time from that moment flew by. The weekend consisted of guest instructors from all over the world conducting open air seminars in the park in Norkopping.
The weather was kind we had beautiful blue skies and sunshine for the whole of the visit.
Saturday evening and the seminars were at 10 and 11pm at twilight in a ring of burning torches.
We made trips to the Rok stone in Linkopping and took a look at stone carvings in Norkopping dating back to 2000BC.
Sunday afternoon and it was time for the Viking games. Each of the visitors were on one of the eight teams. The games a Coconut Shy for the children, Long Handled Axe Throwing, Tossing the Caber, and of course the Tug-of-War when teams pitted strength against opponent teams all culminating in the last event the Iris Christmas Party. Sunday evening at 'The Battle of Bergsbron' party we said our farewells and well wishes to friends old and new.
The whole visit was a phenomenal experience with some of the best Kenpoists in the world today conducting the seminars. We look forward to next year with anticipation.
Lesley Wilkins
Instructors fron Left to Right
Tim Hartman, Richard 'Huk' Planas, Lee Wedlake, Nigel Romeril & Gary Ellis
Viking Spirit Camp
