What can I say about last week’s Houston Modern Arnis Camp?

I had a phenomenal time training and teaching. The last time I went to Houston was pre-COVID-19. In addition, I missed last year’s camp since it took place three weeks after my right hip replacement surgery.

I wasn’t going to miss this camp!

Waiting to board my flight out of Toronto Pearson Airport

While waiting to board the flight from Toronto to Dallas, I discovered several of my friends were on the same connecting flight from Dallas to Houston. Oh, man! What a great start!

Before our connecting flight to Houston! Photo courtesy of Terry Hill.

I enjoyed hanging out with Mike, Matt, Jason, and Terry before boarding the Houston flight. After arriving in Houston, we all checked into the Hampton Inn, just up the road from Al Garza’s Premier Martial Arts dojo, the camp’s location.

We spent most of the next day hanging out in Galveston and walked on Seawall Boulevard, totaling 16,000 steps. Afterwards, we ate lunch at the Bubba Gump Shrimp restaurant on the pier, as shown in the video below.

Galveston Beach Front

The camp kicked off on Friday with Professors Chuck and Ken taking turns. As usual, they did a fantastic job. For most of the day, the theme was double zero, both stick and empty hand. While other material was covered (umbrella block, right and left and empty hand translations of traditional moves), the focus was mostly on double zero. I tell you, training the double zero for most of the day was an absolute blast.

Quite a few attendees felt fried at the end of the first day of the Houston Modern Arnis camp.

After being informed that I was assigned to teach the Saturday morning session, I mentioned that I might review the double zero material during my session. As it turns out, some folks wanted me to review some of the material.

Reviewing left-hand double zero material on Saturday morning. Photo courtesy of Lisa Ferber Land.

Saturday

Knowing I had only 90 minutes to teach, I decided to stick with the highlights of what was taught during the first day. It would be impossible to cover everything Professors Chuck and Ken taught the day before. The materials I reviewed were the double zero off angle 12, the brace block/clear to double zero and Professor Ken’s left vs. right double zero sequence. Along the way, I added disarms and structural pointers. I had a lot of fun teaching this session!

Professors Chuck and Ken covered more tapi-tapi material for the remainder of Saturday, incorporating the double zero. In addition, the two co-taught a phenomenal knife-on-knife session, emphasizing drawing the knife with either the right or left hand. I tell you, this was a lot of fun!

A fantastic potluck dinner was held on-site after the afternoon session. Thank you to all who contributed to this dinner. With food this good, it’s safe to say that I ate too much!

For the last Saturday session, we had a round-robin session where each black belt participant was assigned to teach a topic. Professor Ken assigned me to add “banda y banda” to a tapi tapi sequence. After Professor Chuck kicked things off with the 1-2-5-12 drill, I added “banda y banda” to that drill. Every participant had to add their assigned technique to the sequence. While I didn’t count the number of techniques, I think it’s safe to say there were 15 or more techniques in the round-robin sequence by the end of the session.

Oh yes, there was a surprise promotion to 3rd-degree black belt for Athena Land and Mark Briggs. A hearty congratulations to both of them!

Photo courtesy of Lisa Ferber Land.

Sunday

Grandmaster Earl Tullis kicked off the last day of the camp with a detailed left-hand session. With his trademark East Texas humor, he covered every aspect of a left vs. right tapi tapi sequence.

Professor Ken taught the last session, focusing on the brace block’s practical applications. He specifically focused on baseball bat swing-type scenarios and how to use the brace block.

Reflecting on the significant milestone mentioned during the closing moments of our recent gathering, it becomes evident how deeply entrenched this event has become in the fabric of our community. As Grandmaster Earl pointed to in his closing remarks, we stand at the cusp of a remarkable anniversary: the 30th Houston Camp next year.

As such, next year’s Houston Modern Arnis camp will be a landmark camp. I planned on being there, and so should everyone else! BE THERE!

Upcoming Grumpy Men Seminar

Due to work and distance, I will probably not be able to make this event but urge anyone else within driving distance to attend this event! Go to it!

Additional Reading

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Have a great week!