Wasserkuppe Seminar, Germany 2008
A large Irish contingent travelled to the 5th International Jiu-Jitsu Seminar in Wasserkuppe, Germany, from the 8th – 12th October 2008. The seminar, hosted by Shihan Jürgen Kippel (8th dan Jiu-Jitsu), was held in the idyllic mountain location of Wasserkuppe (Water peak) – the highest peak of the Rhön mountain range in the state of Hesse. Historically, the Wasserkuppe is best known in Germany as the centre for the development of various types of aircraft, and as a training centre for practically every notable test pilot between the Wars. Many of the Luftwaffe pilots received their training there, and significant advances in new aeronautical technologies were also made there. The first glider pilot school in the world was established in the Wasserkuppe, and since 1920 annual gliding competitions have been held there, attracting entrants from around Europe and the USA, resulting in many records being set for height, distance and duration of un-powered flight. A centrepiece in the “Ehrenhalle” (Hall of Honour) of a large bronze figure lying on an empty tomb, provides a memorial to all pilots who have died in aviation accidents. The inscription on it translates as “Sacrifices must be made”.
The Irish group that travelled to the seminar consisted of 35 students from Kilkenny and Waterford Jiu-Jitsu Clubs, and Maynooth Self-Defence Club, some of whom arrived on Wednesday for the entire seminar and others arrived on Friday for a weekend of jiu-jitsu. Training took place each day from 9am to 4.30pm, and instructors from Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Portugal, Poland, England and Ireland rotated between the five tatami, thus giving the students a taste of many different styles of jiu-jitsu and other martial arts. Renshi Hazel Farrell (4th dan Jiu-Jitsu, Waterford) instructed at the seminar for the second year, and they found her style of jiu-jitsu was very well received. Her students also enjoyed the experience of training and socialising with like-minded people from other countries. On the Friday night, there was a bonfire outside with mulled wine served to the adults, and on Saturday night there was a banquet followed by a martial arts demonstration and a party afterwards. The Irish were certainly the liveliest group and were the last standing, with some reaching their beds at 7:30am.
In addition to the senior students, Renshi Hazel Farrell brought a group of junior students from her Waterford dojo to the seminar for the first time. The attraction of this seminar for Renshi Farrell was the isolated nature of the venue and the communal accommodation in the army barracks, ensuring the safety of the young students at all times. The attraction for the young students (and the adults!) was the fun park beside the training area, which included various toboggans, sleds and slides down the side of the mountain. At weekends, many German families from the area travel up to the Wasserkuppe to enjoy the fun-park, and to watch the gliders taking off from the aero club.
It was a weekend of excellent training and socialising, and coupled with the fantastic sunny weather in such a picturesque location, we all look forward to returning in 2009.
See our photo gallery for photos of the event.
