Sayoc Whip Seminar - 10/1/00

KMB

Joined
Feb 14, 1999
Messages
15
For anyone interested, this is a short summary of the Sayoc whip seminar held on 10/1/00 at the home of Ma and Pa Kangas (mother and father of Guro Charles Kangas) in semi-rural Wallace, PA. Fortunately the Kangas property is lined with trees so no-one driving by was driven into shock by the site of 20+ people standing in a field cracking whips.

Tuhon and his son Jimmy led the seminar. After starting out with safety instructions and tips on how not to whip yourself, Tuhon started the seminar, which taught the participants how the three of nine template (which is shown on the web site) can be applied to the whip. Using the whip with that template not only gives you a better understanding of hand positioning, footwork, and ranging, it also gives you a better idea of how the template can be applied using projectiles - Sayoc Bakal. (Using a whip while doing the template really makes you emphasize correct hand, wrist, and arm position or you will likely whip yourself.)

After working on the template, Tuhon gave the participants various combinations to work, and then had everyone work on their weak hand combinations and strikes. Approximately three hours of cracking the whip, working combinations, and doing drills tooks its toll on my hand (no glove - big mistake)and mental capacity. Towards the end Tuhon had the participants race up and down an open field while working on various whip combinations. First single whip, then double whip.

Many branches of the Sayoc family attended, especially the New York and Pennsylvania contingents. I had met a lot of the New York folks at Sama Sama and previous seminars and am amazed how laid back and open the Sayoc people are. I imagine its a reflection on how Tuhon selects his students. Other dignitaries and participants were also present.

A pot luck dinner and BBQ were provided during and after the seminar. It was pretty humorous to see people eating and socializing with red welts across their face, necks, arms, etc. Afterwards, instruction on firearm safety and tactics was given by Mr. Kangas and many of those present went to the range.

For those who missed this opportunity, I certainly suggest you shouldn't miss the next one!

Kevin Blake


[This message has been edited by KMB (edited 10-02-2000).]

[This message has been edited by KMB (edited 10-02-2000).]
 
okay, the Sayoc Kali looks great; the seminars definitely are affordable- at least the ones i've found in NYC...
here in lies the problem- i'm not into always travelling out of PA...
so tell me, please, where are the PA. chapters of Sayoc Kali located? Where was this one at- in reference to where i'm at, which is the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area, in N-E PA....cause i'd love to get more into it if there's anybody doing it closer to me...
 
Wallace, PA, where the seminar was held, is near Downingtown, PA, just about 25 miles east of Lancaster. I believe the whip seminar was held there because the Kangas family had enough property for all the participants to spread out and practice without accidental contact with other participants. Also, I don't think I'd want to be at an indoor whip seminar, if 20+ people are cracking whips. Your hearing would definitely be bumming.

In PA right now there are regular classes in Upper Darby, which is right outside of Philly. Another training group may be starting up soon in Philly. If you are looking to start a group in NE PA, I suggest you contact Tuhon through the web page or Guro Tom Kier at LIVEBLADES@aol.com. Speaking from experience, the Upper Darby group started with just a couple of guys who were really interested in learning Sayoc kali. We are now a regular training group that includes four instructors. My experience has been that if you show persistance and dedication, Tuhon will make every effort to see that you get the proper training and instruction in Sayoc kali.

Good luck.

[This message has been edited by KMB (edited 10-03-2000).]
 
Donna;

"J-Man it was great meeting you--I always enjoy meeting fellow forumites and Bladesforums souls. You looked pretty good with that whip of yours!... As if you already had been practicing some stuff."

Well...I have been working with the whip a little bit trying to pick some things up. But the ONLY crack I could do when I got to the seminar was the overhand (1). By the end of the seminar I was fairly confident with cracks 1-5 of the 3 of 9 template and was able to string together some decent combos. Now I have to work on accuracuy, efficency and being able keep the whip moving in fluid patterns. After that I'll try to apply what a learn to knife throwing

KELT34;

I would highly recomend checking out Guro Tom Kier. He is an excelent instructor. It's a shame his brother HAD to get married that day...Tom is great with the whip. I attended his Tuesday night class and also took a private lesson. He showed me so much that my mind is still spinning trying to keep track of it all.

J-MAN


 
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