Connecticut Summer Camp 2008

Cromwell, CT

July 20th to 22nd, 2008

Camp Host: Tom Cushing

Each year there are many Modern Arnis Camps held through out the country. This gives people the opportunity to enjoy a camp in their local area as well as venturing out to another state. During the course of the year, the Masters of Tapi-Tapi rotate attendance at the various camps. This allows people the opportunity to meet, work and train with Masters that are not from their immediate area.

Students who attended the Connecticut camp were treated to the talents of Masters Brian Zawilinski and Jim Ladis. Unfortunately, Master Gauss who was scheduled to attend camp was unable to make it. They took turns teaching various sessions during the camp. It was amazing to watch how everything that they taught came together with careful explanation and example. No matter how different the techniques seemed the Masters skillfully demonstrated that it is all the same. It did not matter if you were using a single cane, a knife, double canes or empty hand you could perform all of the techniques as if you had been practicing all your life.

Master Zawilinski demonstrated both empty hand techniques and single cane techniques. It was amazing to watch the precision he used when performing his technique. It was very obvious that Master Brian has amassed a vast knowledge of body mechanics. When demonstrating with the cane he was able to perform the same moves that he had done empty hand as well as many traps and locks. Master Brian taught a session on real world self defense using a small flashlight. He demonstrated how effective a commonly carried item could be for controlling an opponent and escaping a bad situation.

Master Ladis also worked both empty hand and single cane drills. After watching his technique it was very obvious that once he had control of you the only ending would be a lot of pain. He carefully broke down even the most complex technique so that everyone could understand it. Master Ladis taught a break out session to the Modern Arnis Black Belts, his attention to detail made it very easy for everyone to not only perform the technique but take it home and teach it to their students. The Masters of Tapi-Tapi have been working hard to pass on the knowledge that Professor Presas gave to them. The only way to do that is to produce good teachers to carry on.

A special feature of the Connecticut Modern Arnis Camp has been dinner at O’Rourke’s diner, a legendary local eatery. Master Chef Brian O’Rourke himself usually prepares the meal, but this year we were treated to the culinary mastery of Jim Ladis. Brian O’Rourke arranged some intensive culinary training for Jim, each day he was treated to a new Master Chef who would instruct him in the preparation of an additional course for the meal we were to enjoy Saturday night.

This camp seemed to be very special; there was an energy that was almost electric. Everyone, even first time camp participants said the room was filled with such positive energy they could not believe it. This energy made the days pass so quickly that before you realized it was the end of the third session of the day. As usual it seemed that camp

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