Opening eyes and minds to martial arts

MARTIAL arts enthusiasts found on Sunday that Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club offers instruction in a wide range of interests.
By The Newsroom
Published 7th Dec 2007, 11:04 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 20:23 BST

Club officers hope it will soon be offering still more.

A wet and miserable day outside was transformed inside the Sports Centre in Little Common Road.

There, teachers were demonstrating everything from gentle Tai Chi to Aikido, Judo, Jiu Jitsu and Karate to Boxing.

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Enthusiasts had pre-paid 10 for a day-long course which cost 15 at the door.

Tai Chi was being led by Gwyneth Ludkin, Aikido by Paul Barker and Judo by Matt Cowell.

Afternoon sessions include Matt Stevens with Jiu-Jitsu, Bexhill Judo and Karate with Ian Hollidge.

With each session lasting 55 minutes it was up to the individual visitor to choose which and how many martial arts in which to indulge.

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The club car park was full to over-flowing as visitors arrived.

Event organiser Jason Meek is both BAAC chairman and chairman of the Athletic Club.

As visitors completed morning registration for the open day they were seated around the floor mats lining the main gym.

Jason said: "It is not quite as good as we had hoped so far as pre-bookings go but there are enough people for 20 in each class - though some of those are the same 20."

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The aim of the open day was to show the public what the club offers and to encourage other groups to use its facilities.

Jason said: "At the moment, for example, the Judo Club is really busy. There is also Aikido which operates out of here.

"Gwyneth Ludkin runs her Tai Chi out of London Road but she is hoping to run a class out of here as well.

"I think this would be good because though the Sports Centre is well booked in the evenings there are facilities here which are available for hire during the day.

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"There is a chap who runs Ju Jitsu classes and I am hopeful that as result of this he will start a class here as well.

"I went on a day course on Aikido and want to do another one so I am hopeful that that can begin here.

"There is space here, especially during the day because most of the popular slots are during the evening. If Tai Chi came here it would be during the day, would be useful."