This year’s seminar started off with the introduction of two new superior grades as well as two other students beginning their second superior. Each grade practiced the respective forms as well as some basic applications derived from them. Once it was time for the rest of the seminar to kick off, SiFu began by performing both the Siu Nim Tao as well as the Cham Kiu. Once these were done by all the students and all corrections were noted, SiFu then explained to the students that due to the fact that we are not as efficient with our lower limbs as we are with our arms, he was going to dedicate the seminar to various footwork techniques as well as footwork applications.

With this in mind, the students started to train the various techniques demonstrated by SiFu, which were variations of previous applications as well as newly constructed ones. After a fully packed first day, it was time to close off by once again performing the Siu Nim Tao, as that is the tradition of a WingTsun kwoon.

Upon the second day the superior students yet again practiced their newly taught forms. When it was time for the student grades’ seminar to begin, SiFu requested that the students begin by going over the previous day’s techniques in order to refresh their memory and as a means of a warm up for what was to come.  After some time, SiFu gathered everyone around him in order for him to demonstrate the following set of techniques and applications. On the second day there was a higher focus on Chi Gerk as well various kicking techniques, which could be used as an offensive defence against an opponent or aggressor. Just like the day before, the seminar included techniques, which required some coordination as well as determination and so both days were quite wearisome for the students.

The third day kicked off with the superior grades performing various applications that were derived from the form they were previously practicing. This led to the student’s seminar in which SiFu inquired that all students should now try to coordinate both arms and legs while defending oneself. SiFu again demonstrated the required techniques, and while the students practiced, he called various pupils in order to be examined for their respective grade. This section of the seminar was highlighted by the eighth graders and above having to control multiple opponents without causing harm to them, while simultaneously having to perform various physical exercises, and finally a tenth grade student had to perform the same test with added opponents.

SiFu concluded the seminar by explaining that each student must now try to utilize all that was learned in a ‘Real Action’ scenario, and hence the students were paired up and continued to practice until the end. Once the seminar was closed off, certificates along with badges were presented to all those who managed to pass their respective grade and finally all were gathered in order to take the group photo.