Chans Martial Arts News
CMA 25-03 24th September 2025
Sydney Camp
We had a wonderful seminar by ShiYe Michael. He talked about axis control, the zones of Fixed & Free Pushing Hands. Pushing Hands using Relaxing, Yi, Continuity & Circularity.
In the Kung Fu sessions, we talked about training the body and mind as well as techniques. We also worked on the two versions of the spin side kick. The Black Belts worked on Yi and flow in techniques. Broadsword basics, the theory and practice of Free Pushing Hands.
Annual Kung Fu Camp
The Wellington camp was a huge success, with close to 130 enrolments it was very well attended and continues to show the upward trajectory of the Chan’s Martial Arts annual camps. Camp commander Mr Dave Clarke did a great job organising everything with his capable helpers. Mr Manny Mendoza helped organise the training hall and food delivery via the Wellington Filipino community. Mr Keith Van Niekerk helped organise the layout of the teas, lunches and brunches as well as organising the group dinner at the Old Bailey. Mr John O’Toole kept things running smoothly with his public relations and oratory skills informing us all of the goings on. There are many other members of the Wellington branches who went out of their way to give transport to visiting members and even get into the kitchen to cook some of the food provided during the weekend so we must all be thankful.
We must reiterate that our annual camps are always a team effort. We must thank our senior blackbelts who helped teach portions of the camp: Mr Nic Morrison, Mr Thompson, Mr Lane, Ms Chan, Mr Chan and Master Lord. Mr Mackenzie led the morning exercises for rank and file again with great insight and helped our members gain some understanding of the deep history of the land they were visiting. Mr David McQueen and his team helped push and assess the 1st grade candidates with exercises pushing their physical and mental boundaries.
This camp we emphasised mental focus, being comfortable and different objectives in training for different drills. We reiterated the messages at our annual seminars focusing on training the body, mind (Dao), and techniques (Ji)
We expanded on our standard parrying drills, clarified our RPF drills and practiced and expanded on our Chin Na drills making sure to maintain our fighting focus. Blackbelts also practiced and standardised weapons training, flow drills, pushing hands and circle form.
We also had a section where we spoke about our annual tournament, how we aim to train our students for the event and what the important morals to demonstrate. We emphasised that we conduct ourselves with honour, spirit and a good attitude. To compete without honour would disrespect our instructors and bring shame upon ourselves.
Camp next year was announced to be held in Blenheim. We are very excited for it already and expect it to be bigger than ever!
This year we assessed the blackbelts who had met the minimum time for training at their current rank to see how they are progressing and wrote some detailed reports in order to give them some feedback on their weaknesses and what we expect of them before seeing them in future gradings.
Not all of those that were assessed were invited to grade this year however this does not mean that those that weren’t asked to grade are not showing improvement and great promise, their efforts to put themselves forward to try to better themselves should be commended.
After careful consideration and approval from the council of Masters here are the invitations for the 2025 Blackbelt grading:
1st degree:
Lottie Vinson - HQ
Richard Beddie - HQ
Craig Jarvis - HQ
Hannah Wylde - HQ
Marrisa Holder - Remuera
Brendan Sidwell - Nelson
Peter Clayton-Jones - Parklands
Bryn Gilbertson - Queenstown
James Lowe - West Melton
2nd degree:
Jeremy Elrick - HQ
Cameron Woods - West Melton
Ian Collie - Invercargill
Lance Curtis - Lincoln
Karen Philips - Lower Hutt
Manny Mendoza - Lower Hutt
3rd Degree:
Rowan Findley - Nelson
Jeremy Parkhill - Invercargill
John Titter - Lumsden
Linus Lim - Sydney
Blackbelt Grading - 50th Anniversary
This year is a big year for Chan’s Martial Arts as we are celebrating 50 years! Our grading will be held at HQ (14 Iversen Tce, Waltham) and doors will open at 10am. Many old members from the past have already announced that they will be attending the grading as well as our gala dinner. We will have old members flying in especially from all over the country, many from Australia and even from the UK and Ireland. Tickets have sold out for the dinner but if you do wish to be put on the waiting list do reach out. https://forms.gle/AWPJuyk31nYAdYBd7
50th Year Commemorative Book
We are also about to publish our 50th year commemorative book. Mr Mike Barthelmeh and Ms Hannah Wylde have been very busy putting things all together, there have been contributions from countless members and a few very generous proof readers. To pre-order please deposit $50 into the social club bank account and let us know. Regular sales will cost more so lock in a great deal now! Chans Martial Arts Social Club: 03-0866-0296228-000
There are still some exciting events to come this year to be excited for, I look forward to seeing you all in training.
May Qi be with you,
Grandmaster Chan
Chans Martial Arts
Upcoming Events
27th – 28th of September – SOTC Christchurch Seminar
11th of October – Wellington KF Grading/Seminar
12th of October – Wellington TC Grading/Seminar
14th of October – Canterbury TC Ex Grading
18th of October – Canterbury KF Grading
1st-2nd of November – SOTC Auckland Instructor Camp
28th of November – Annual Instructor/BB Meetings
29th of November – Annual BB Grading, 50th Anniversary Dinner
9th of December – Canterbury TC Ex Grading
13th of December – Canterbury KF Grading
18th of December – Last Day of training at HQ