Annual Prague camp resumes in style

After a two year hiatus due to Covid lockdowns, in June of this year the IFSC Force taekwon-do club were able to once again resume their annual summer training camp in Prague, Czech republic in collaboration with our friends from the Czech National Taekwon-do Union.

We had eight members make the trip this year which was fantastic considering the camp was only organised in April of this year.

On Thursday afternoon our squad of enthusiastic and willing participants met at Dublin airport to begin our adventure.

After arriving in Prague late in the evening we were treated to a late night walk of Prague city centre to help stretch the legs after the flight.

On Friday morning we made our way by train to the camp location in Ctyrkoly where our accommodation and training hall were located. Even though it was just 40 minutes from the centre of Prague, it was like entering a different world with beautiful rustic scenery with rolling hills and Sazava river, fantastic weather and excellent public transport located close by.

On Friday afternoon we journeyed to the training hall to once again renew acquaintances with our friends and colleagues from the Czech National Taekwon-do Union who were waiting for us, including the President of the Czech National Taekwon-do Union Mr Jakub Roubal, Technical director Mr Kamil Kolofik and senior instructor Ms. Lenka Kolofikova.

The training session started with fun games to warm up and break the ice, before a highly intensive two hour sparring drills session.

After the training, we returned to our accommodation for a much needed Czech cuisine dinner and a beer or two of the local Pilsner to quench our thirst and salve the aches from the training.

On Saturday morning training recommenced with a two hour training session of sparring drills, patterns and fundamental movements.

After a short break for lunch we had a second two hour training session, including free sparring, patterns and conditioning.

Having completed two intense sessions, while we were all tired, we still had energy to make a trip to the Aqua Park in Prague for fun on some thrilling water slides, and relaxation in the jacuzzi and pool bar.

On Sunday morning it was back to training with a two hour sparring drills and kicking drills session.

After lunch on Sunday we were honoured to have the attendance of Ms Petra Blahova, an instructor from the Strancice club and a former world medallist in patterns and special technique.

The Sunday afternoon session included self defence, patterns, and special technique to complete our training for the weekend.

Sunday evening we were invited by the president Mr Roubal to his home for a barbecue for all those who had attended the camp, where we were treated with incredible hospitality and a feast of food and drink, and plenty of fun and chat.

On Monday some of our members were able to extend their stay for a sightseeing trip to the beautiful spa town of Karlovy Vary where we were able to relax after an intense weekend with bathing in thermal pools, massages, salt chambers and drinking from the therapeutic spa waters.

Next year we intend to run the camp again in June and as requested we will extend it to five days, and as always it is open to anyone from any other Taekwon-Do club who wish to join us.

We want to thank again Mr Jakub Roubal, Mr Kamil Kolofik, Ms Lenka Kolofikova and Ms Petra Blahova for the warm and welcoming hospitality and the opportunity for excellent Taekwon-Do training with our Czech friends.