Welcome to 2007

Now that the dust has settled on the madness that is Orientation Week and the craziness of selling Sax Appeal is a distant memory, now we can settle into the important job of adjusting to this sometimes alien place called UCT.

And as you navigate your way from the New Science Lecture Theatre to the Kramer Building and back to the Arts Block, don't forget that you also promised yourself you would come try out Aikido. Mens sana in corpore sano (a healthy mind in a healthy body) as you learn in Latin Intensive ;-)

We train in Hall 3 of the Sports Centre at the following times:

Tuesday: 19h30 - 21h00
Thursday: 18h00 - 19h30
Sunday: 10h30 -12h00

Currently all the sessions are focussed on getting beginners to understand the movements that underline the art - so it's a great time to start! Later in the semester we will differentiate the classes.

As from 12 March we will be having an advanced class every Monday evening from 18h30 - 20h00. Those classes will take place at the Ju-Jitsu club dojo at Valkenberg in Observatory. Having that venue also means that we will be able to train even during exams and the extended vac times.

Another very exciting event is the visit by 4th dan instructor Guenter Heck from Berlin. He will lead a weekend seminar from Friday 02 - Sunday 04 March (next weekend). On Saturday 03 March there will be a free session focussing on the basics which I hope all of you will attend. Saturday evening we're hoping to do sundowners on Clifton's 3rd beach.

Guenter will also be teaching at various dojos in the Western Cape in the week of 5-10 March.

This promises to be a full year given that the Club is central in hosting the 30th Anniversary celebrations of the Aikido Federation of South Africa in November this year.

On a more personal front:

Last year saw two of our members tying the knot. Mark, our Chairman last year, married long-time sweetheart, Bronwyn;

and Brandon and Ellen created a joint balance sheet in December. We wish both couples well in their lives together.

So... I'll see you on the mat soon. Hall 3, Sports Centre. If you have any queries, drop me an email ghalib.galant@gmail.com or call me on 083 797 7095

Ghalib