Dragon Tang Soo Do

Martial Arts Superstar?

So you want to be a Martial Arts Superstar? Master Evans, Warren and I spent the day with the team to find out what all the fuss was about… Where better to start learning than becoming part of the Demo team. We were invited to tag along and take part in a Demo with the team at Teignmouth in Devon.
Arriving on Friday afternoon gave us time to book into a B& B and have a leisurely stroll round the quaint little seaside town of Teignmouth… 

And What a welcome! It was the start of the Carnival weekend - The atmosphere was absolutely buzzing, but at the same time relaxing, a million miles away from manic Bristol - I think I could get used to this! The impact of all the people in the procession, & floats and going by was a sight to behold - so colourful & vibrant. They certainly got the crowd involved, banging drums, rattling tins, and shaking anything else you care to mention, it certainly gives a new meaning to dancing in the streets!

We managed to catch up briefly with Master White and some of the gang earlier and, in company with Master Drury, went to check out his studio in Dawlish where the Seminar with Zara was going to be held on the Sunday. As we hadn’t had anything to eat, we said our goodbye’s until the morning. It appeared it was an eventful evening for all...

Warren & I, after checking out some of the local eateries that were recommended, chose to eat at “The NAZ” and truly enjoyed the best Indian meal ever!! The Staff were great fun & very welcoming. After giving our compliments to the Chef, we stepped back out and rejoined the Carnival, meeting up with Master Drury again and some of the more colourful people in the procession.

Eventually we wended our weary way home, knowing we had the Demo the next day…
Meanwhile Alison & Neal were still en-route from Bristol and had yet to arrive. At the Camp Site they had lots of fun putting up the remaining tents at 10pm at night. Master White stated it was a cross between a Disco and a Rave- what with torches flashing everywhere, and his car alarm constantly going off! Much as I would have enjoyed the camping, I’m so glad I was in a B& B that night as apparently some people were trying to snore the tent roofs’ off!

Woke up the next Day to Glorious Sunshine! Couldn’t have wished for a better start…After meeting up with Master Evans there was a meeting with Master Drury at “The Den” to brief the teams on the running order for the Demos, we realised it was not just us helping out- which was a relief! We met up with Master Drury’s Students from his Black belt academy & The Kyroi Ryu Ju Jitsu team, and of course the Lovely Zara Phythian (Martial Artist and stuntwoman) and Master Vic Marke (6th Dan and film producer). Nerves were starting to kick in but there was no going back now…so, after a quick stretch out and quick practise of our small contribution, we were on!

Master Drury was “the man on the mike” - keeping the crowd’s enthusiasm going, as well as joining in the Demo himself - so he was kept very busy, along with his lovely wife, Master Heather Drury, keeping us all to schedule.

The DTSD had 3 x 15 minute slots - which doesn’t seem a lot, but it takes a fair bit of material to fill that amount of time. The Demo team certainly work hard, and looked very professional!
I’m hoping our standards came up to scratch with our little fight scene– well the crowd seemed to love us anyway!

I think Master Evans has caught the “Hello Lovey’s-Bug”, as she wants to be involved next year!
Hopefully someone attending Zaras’ Seminar will do a write up, as she was a truly amazing lady – and along with Master Vic Marke was very easy to talk to. Zara has promised to try and let us have footage of the filming she took of us, how mad is that! Apparently she is allowed to get behind the other side of the camera once in a while, and enjoys it, so looking forward to seeing the results.

It was great weekend for meeting old friends and making new ones. I, for one would  go along just to support the guy’s - but apparently we’ve got to come up with some new material for next year, So we couldn’t have been that bad!

In closing, Just to say thanks to the  Demo team for letting us share a bit of their limelight – it was fun!

Regards Gill

Tang Soo!

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