Over the weekend of May 15th and 16th 2010, myself and over 80 others from countries as far ranging as Canada, Germany, USA, Denmark, Belgium, Australia and obviously the UK, got together for a 'Wong Shun Leung Ving Tsun' Seminar weekend in sunny Southampton.
There was a real buzz in the room from the beginning and we were not disappointed!! Kevin Bell began by stating that there would be no ego's allowed and anybody losing control or drawing blood from over enthusiasm and point scoring would be shown the door immediately as this event was a skill and idea sharing occasion.
Kevin went on to begin procedings with various drills demonstrating the power aspect of the WSL approach when punching, starting as a recovery exercise when a position was lost and utilising speed, power, timing, intention and structure impressively got his points accross.
It was obvious from the off that this is a pure no nonsense 'fighting system' method of Wing Chun and not an esoteric, flowery look at the art...they pride themselves by referring to their lineage as 'Chinese Boxing or Pugilism' and you can see why!! - all drills were taught with a fighting intention behind them and a single minded focus bourne out of their insistence on pressure testing their skills with REAL fighters from both the Boxing and MMA world who are actually trying to hit you - not a simple complient partner who delivers a punch and kindly leaves their arm out there.
Second to take the stage was Ernie Barrios, a previous student of Sifu Gary Lam and certified also to teach under Sifu David Peterson. Ernie's emphasis was to get us to disconnect our thinking and emotions and work on springy, forward energy (Lat Sau Jik Chung) and testing this with various resistance exercises with a partner found within Siu Nim Tau.
We then looked at Daan Chi Sau with a step which has a totally different purpose and footwork methodology to many others lineages - the ideas are simple but highly effective and it is clear how so many other groups pay lip service to the Wing Chun concepts and needlessly 'chase the hands' in these drills.
WSL coach Alan Gibson rounded off the day with a look at developing waist/core rotational power with various boxing type partner drills which progressed in a direct manner to more Wing Chun conceptual ideas working on disruption, uprooting, Lien Siu Dai Da (linking defence to bring in offence) and Chiu Ying (square on facing concept).
With day one drawing to a close and arms bruised and battered but adrenaline and inspiration flowing, David Peterson summed up the intensive 6 hour day with a reminder that everything we had looked at could be found in the first section of Siu Nim Tau both practically and conceptually.
After a good evening in Southampton with close friends, beers and a pub meal we headed to one Alan's students house to watch some boxing and talk Wing Chun, it was good to see the senior WSL represetatives relaying stories from their past experiences with Wong Shun Leung himself and informally answering any questions people had over a drink and with good humour - again not an inflated ego in sight!!
Day 2 began with big Aussie John Smith who trained directly under Wong Shun Leung and David Peterson and is a bear of a man but highly skilled and knowledgeable. John led us through Siu Nim Tau as a group and explained various energies and intentions throughout.
Drills were introduced showing the need and use of the Tui Ma (push step) through Daan Chi Sau and Seung Chi Sau and also practical partner exercises using a shove - what had made a big impact on me was the high level of skill by so many and even after many years of practice myself and my colleagues openly admitted to feeling out their depth on several occasions with many people our junior in both age and experience simply due to the fact that they were better versed in the Wing Chun concepts and direct approach - one Belgian student of Clive Potter, a young man named Christophe Germain who attended was around 8 stone wringing wet I would estimate and under 5ft 5 and I found impossible to deal with (or even move!!) and he didnt even attempt to strike me but controlled my every move with ease which for me was truly inspirational!
Sifu David Peterson rounded off this amazing two day event with a detailed look at Chi Sau, footwork and the WSL approach to Chi Gerk whlist tying all the previous lessons and points together in a package that we could take away and develop - there was no showboating here, it was pure skill development exercises for the benefit of all and I can honestly say without doubt I cannot imagine a single Wing Chun practitioner the world over, regardless of level that would have failed to get something from this weekend.
I have made countless friends, learnt an incredible ammount, gained masses of information and inspiration and feel strongly that my future training will be with the WSLVT lineage.
