Great Success: Jiu Jitsu Fest 2009
All smiles after Sheila’s excellent workshop on top control and submissions.
What a weekend! With Jiu Jitsu Fest 2009 officially in the books, I can now take a moment to recap some of the highlights and give thanks to the people that helped make it happen.
Those that arrived in Bend early got a treat on Thursday evening at the Academy. Mr. Harris taught class, and special guests Brian and Sheila Bird also arrived to say hello and visit the dojo. The real magic happened the next morning, however, as my friend Chris Wright Martell displayed tremendous technique, endurance, and heart in his 3 hour, 72 round Brown Belt Examination.
This was a special examination, with participation by many attendees.
I found myself in a crucifix during one of the final sparring rounds.
At 5:30 that afternoon, I taught the first of 3 seminar sessions, showing triangle set ups from the guard by pushing in on the wrist, and its correlation to mount position, setting up the armlock by pushing down on the wrist. An extended sparring session followed, and I was fortunate enough to get an long roll with Sheila Bird, barely staving off her treacherous gi chokes and walking away thoroughly impressed. 28 people showed up at Red Robin for the post seminar meal, where lively conversations and general jiu jitsu talk reigned supreme.
Full attention was given to Sheila as she broke down the technique into clear steps.
At 10 a.m. on Saturday morning, Sheila shared her “A” game techniques with the attendees, including the ‘Crushin’ Russian’ arm control, and kimura into leg scissor choke. I have already seen people incorporating these moves into their sparring, so it’s clear that Sheila’s instruction was both inspiring and effective. The afternoon had Mr. Harris gave a panoramic view of gi grips from the guard, gripping sequences against resistance, and answered questions from seminar attendees as only he can. Everytime I am around my teacher, I am astounded by his depth of knowledge, degree of detail, and real life experience. All of us in the Harris International family are unbelievably fortunate to have him leading the way, clearing the path, and encouraging our development.
Rick Ellis hosted the Saturday night party, where on screen MMA action mixed with laughter, drinks, and socializing. A tremendous amount of filming occurred and this “still under wraps” project is getting better and better content all the time. White water rafting was available on Sunday for all those that attended Jiu Jitsu Fest 2009, while I taught a few private lessons for those interested parties.
By all accounts, the water was not warm, which made the ride much more exciting.
Huge thanks to those who traveled from a far to participate, with visitors from Arizona, Northern and Southern California, Canada, and the East Coast. Rick and James deserve special mention for hosting and catering the Saturday night soiree. It was a true pleasure to get to know Brian and Sheila Bird better, catch up with Chris and Hope Martell, and once again connect with the man behind it all, Mr. Roy Harris.
See you next year!