First times are always scary but exciting, but we'll help you better prepare yourself for a grading!

You would have received a Techniques Handbook or a Mini-Kids Book when you joined. There is a syllabus for every rank/stripe. You need to master the syllabus for your current level for your grading day. This means that you will need to know the theory (e.g. Korean words, names of techniques etc.) and the practical (e.g. performing the techniques and knowing the purpose of the technique) of your syllabus. 

PRE-GRADING
Pre-grading is a mock grading which often takes place two weeks before the actual grading. This involves theory tests (either oral or written), line work and fundamental movements. Your instructor will watch your performance to let you know whether or not you are ready to grade and provide you with feedback so that you can work on improving your techniques before the grading day.

GRADING DAY
This is the real deal! You should arrive 15 minutes earlier before the grading time to mentally prepare yourself for the grading.

Below is a list of things you must have with you at the grading (it should be the case at every training):

• White, clean, ironed and tidy dobok.
• Belt tied correctly around your waist. 
• Wear a white shirt/singlet under your dobok.
• No jewelries/watches.
• Confidence & spirit.
• Tenets.

REMEMBER when the examiner is talking to you, say "Yes/no ma'am/sir" in an attention stance. If you did not catch what the examiner said, say "Sorry, sir/ma'am, please repeat that/what do you mean?", not "What?".
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RESULTS
Kubz/mini-kids will receive their results and new stripes on the day of the grading, whereas youth/adults will receive their grading results and rank on the next training. 

Dear parents and members

If you were at the grading with Master Patterson on 5 August, then you would have heard the announcement that Regionals 2017 will be happening on 16 September 2017! Otherwise, you should have received an email from ITKD South Island regarding the upcoming Regionals! 

If medals, trophies and gaining experience don't entice you, but you'd like the chance to win a Mighty Fist Matrix Dobok or a set of Mighty Fist sparring gear, then you should  sign up  before 20 August 2017! In all seriousness though, we would like that all members will partake in this tournament as we will need all of you and your effort to help and win the Best Club again this year! 

Look at how much fun everyone was having! 

Parents, you are also most welcome to volunteer and sign up to officiate at the tournament too! ​

If you need more information, please go to the South Island Regionals Championships website or you can email them via their Contact Us page.

​Boy, how time flies - like Calum! (See below)

Special thank you to Ms Marcela Avalos and Mr David Jones who volunteered to be officials and Mr Luis Apiolaza for taking photos!
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Check out some cool videos of Mr Woodill and Mr Brockerhoff flying! We will post a video of the best coloured belt pattern soon! 

시작 (sijag)!

If you recall, Mr Broughton led a sparring seminar on 18 March 2017. He was very cool and everyone learnt a lot and some of us got battle wounds to show off!

If you missed out on the last seminar or got a concussion and forgot some tips or would like to learn more techniques or all of the above, here's a second chance to attending this seminar this coming weekend! 

Date: 27 May 2017 (Saturday)
Time: 5.00 p.m., please arrive 15 minutes earlier (2 hours)
Venue: Casebrook Intermediate School Hall, 100 Veitches Road, Casebrook, Christchurch
Host: Pulse Taekwon-Do 
Cost/Fee: $20, no registration required, but you may do so here
All members (we're talking about you, kids!) interested are welcome! Spread the word!

Dear members and parents

Just a reminder, Halswell Taekwon-Do is hosting three seminars that will be led by Mr Jon Sawden (III dan), details below.

Mr Sawden is the head instructor of Calibre Waitakaruru, Haruaki Plains. He has been practicing Taekwon-Do for 29 years and has participated and medalled in the World Champs for Power and Specialty - a perfect opportunity to learn from the best! 
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20 May 2017, Saturday

Have a better understanding on commonly used kicks!

​Venue: Pioneer Recreation and Sport Centre, 75 Lyttelton Street, Somerfield, Christchurch
Time: 10.00 a.m. - 12.00 p.m.
Cost/Fee: $30, 10% discount for families 
Open to: All 
Please register here!
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20 May 2017, Saturday 

Sick and tired of going as hard and as fast as you can but have the solid board taunting you while your fists/hands/feet screaming in pain? Learn proper techniques to generate maximum power for breaking!

​Venue: Pioneer Recreation and Sport Centre, 75 Lyttelton Street, Somerfield, Christchurch
Time: 1.00 p.m. - 4.00 p.m.
Cost/Fee: $45 (no discounts) 
Open to: Green stripes (7th gup) and above and aged 10 and above
Bring: Dobok, running shoes/thin soled shoes and thick knee high socks (e.g. rugby/ski socks)
Please register here!

Join the Kicking Seminar and Power Breaking Seminar for $65!
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Click here for more information on the event and how to pay.
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21 May 2017, Sunday

Learn how to fly! And kick at the same time.

​Venue: Te Hapua: Halswell Centre, 341 Halswell Road, Halswell, Christchurch
Time: 9.00 a.m. - 11.00 a.m.
Cost/Fee: $20 
Open to: All gups, aged 10 and above
​Bring: Dobok and running shoes/thin soled shoes
​Please register here!

Exciting times for everyone - the school holidays are finally here!

We are hosting a School Holiday Programme ("the Programme") for children (age 4-12) so that we can share our passion for Taekwon-Do. 

For those of you who have not heard of our Programme, it is an introduction of what Taekwon-Do is - a summary of what you will learn more in depth before you sign up for our usual term classes. We will be running the Programme in the second week of the school holidays (24th April - 29th April), but not on ANZAC day (25th April). There will be two sessions (one hour per session) each day and children are all welcome to attend these sessions everyday (one session per day). 

These hour long sessions will cover different aspects of Taekwon-Do like flying kicks and ground kicks, punches and other hand techniques, blocks, self-defence, and demolition. But what is so special about Taekwon-Do is that not only is it a sport, it is a martial art too! Thus, we will be learning a bit of discipline and tenets that will help you through your everyday lives. Of course we would have some fun games too! How could you ever doubt us?!

When: 24 April 2017 to 29 April 2017
Session 1: 1.30p.m.-2.30p.m. (4-6 years olds)*
Session 2: 2.30p.m. - 3.30p.m. (6-12 years olds)*
Venue: Cobham Intermediate School Hall
Cost: FREE
Attire: Something comfortable to run, jump, and stretch in!
Bring: Water and enthusiasm
Registration is required as spaces are limited! 

* Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the start time. 

NOTE: Parent(s)/Guardian(s) are required to be present during the sessions. 

​Please feel free to spread the word!!

If you have any enquiries, please feel free to email us at ​[email protected]  

Dear Members,

I hope everyone grading is feeling confident and prepared for the upcoming grading!! 

A slight digression, please remember to:
1. Arrive at least 15 minutes before grading, mentally and physically prepared;
2. Have a clean and ironed dobok with your belt (if you will not be at the Masters Weekend seminar before grading); and
3. Bring your mouth guard and sparring gear (green belts and above). 

The venue for grading is now at Casebrook Intermediate at 100 Veitches Rd, Casebrook, Christchurch 8051. 

See you there!

Dear Members

I hope everyone had a good break! It's time to see some faces at training again.

There are some events coming up this month and April:

18 March 2017, Saturday

Mr Broughton is one of the coaches for the Taekwon-Do New Zealand team so this session is seriously worth considering!

Venue: Casebrook Intermediate School Hall, 100 Veitches Road, Casebrook, Christchurch
Host: Pulse Taekwon-Do 
Time: 5.30 p.m. (90 minutes)
Cost/Fee: $20, no registration required
All members (we're talking about you, kids!) interested are welcome!

9 April 2017, Sunday

This is our third year running hosting the Riccarton Round Robin (3 part series). It is open to all Taekwon-Do (ITF) practitioners and a great way to gain some competition experience. 

Venue: Cobham Intermediate School Hall
Time: 8.30 a.m. - 4:00pm 
Cost/Fee: $30
​Registration coming soon here »

All members, Kubz, Mini Kids, Kids, youths and adults are all encouraged to join!

22 & 23 April, Saturday & Sunday

Five Masters will be coming down to Christchurch during the said weekend. This will be a great opportunity for all of you to learn from the best, update your skills and techniques, and be inspired!

Check out this page » for more information. 

Venue: Celebration Centre, 81 Bickerton Street, Wainoni, Christchurch 
Time: 9.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. (Sat) and 9.00 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. (Sun)
Cost/Fee: $100
Open to yellow belts and above! Please register here »

23 April 2017, Sunday (at the Masters Weekend)

Those who are interested to grade, it is time to put in extra effort during your trainings to better prepare you for this upcoming grading! If you have any questions regarding your syllabus, feel free to get help from your seniors or even your juniors.

Venue: Celebration Centre, 81 Bickerton Street, Wainoni, Christchurch
Time: 1.30 p.m.
​Examiner: Master Graham Patterson

Pre-Grading will be 28 March and 30 March, (Tuesday and Thursday) 

If you are unsure whether you are ready to grade, Mr Herbison will let you know during these pre-grading sessions (during the usual youth/adult training sessions). We are giving you ample of time to prepare yourselves. Remember to study the theory for your current and previous syllabus so that it will feel less like an ambush when Mr Herbison presents you with papers begging to be filled - so don't forget your pen/pencils!!! 

Important note: Those who are not looking to grade at this upcoming grading are expected to show up and also be armed with your knowledge and pens at these pre-grading sessions. 

13 April 2017, Thursday

Kids, please ask your instructors whether you are ready to grade.

All Requirements to grade are listed here », but the important ones are:
1. Enough attendance
2. Good behaviour stickers
3. Completed homework
4. Positive report card 

Homework and the report card are to be handed in by 6 April 2017.

If you have any questions, just ask the instructor/assistant instructor. They are very friendly!

Venue: Cobham Intermediate
Time: 5.00 p.m. start - arrive changed ready to form up by 4:45pm!
​Examiner: Mr Herbison

12 April 2017, Wednesday

Kubz, it's time to gather your courage and show off what you've got! Fret not, the grading is just similar to your usual class. Except this time, you get to have a new stripe, extra badges and a certificate if you perform superbly! 

Venue: Cobham Intermediate
Time: 4.30 p.m. start
​Examiner: Mr Brockerhoff

IV going on V
If you didn't hear, the black belt senior grading took place last week (10 December). There were several black belts from Christchurch who went for the grading. The results came out - congratulations to everyone! 

Special congratulations to Mr Herbison. It's about time to scratch off the "I" off the right side of your "V" on your belt! Finally! Well done, sir!

It has been around a decade since Mr Herbison last graded and he did himself and all of us proud. Not only did he get a new black belt, he got a black eye too! 

Mr Herbison thought he did terribly during the grading (just like the rest of us lower grade peasants) – “I nearly puked and passed out” and "I felt muggy”. Nonetheless, the pressure of grading for the first time in ten years was enough to make diamonds, and his first and only objective was to just pass.
 
“So how did you do it, sir?”
“Mental preparation. You have to keep doing. You have to keep going.” 
 
Check out the breaking videos!!
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