We were originally invited to attend the winter course in Porto, Portugal by Sensei Murakami when we picked him up from Heathrow back in April. Sensei had just flown in from Porto for his Spring UK tour and he was most insistent that we should train with him in Portugal during the winter.

Well that was back in April and after many e-mails , faxes and telephone calls to Portugal, we were finally on our way from Porto airport to the Ibis Hotel where we hopefully going to meet up with Sensei Águas and Sensei Murakami. Four of us travelled to Portugal, Geoff Mitchell, Mick Power, Paul Willmott and myself.

After checking into the hotel we met up in the bar and sat down to nice cold beer. Just as we sat down, Paul spotted a car pull up into the car park and Sensei's Águas and Murakami get out and go into the neighboring Novotel hotel. A quick sprint later (by Paul) and both Sensei's were joining us for a drink. After the initial greetings, Sensei Murakami sat back in his chair, smiled at all of us and simply said, " you are all going to die!". I had the distinct feeling that we had somehow unwittingly walked into a trap. It was then explained to us that the winter course in Porto (actually a little town called Lamego about 100Km from Porto) was for the younger students and was an invitation only, limited place course for the "elite" of the Portuguese national squad. In previous years (this was the third annual Winter Course) the course consisted of 3 sessions over two days. 
This year however, was different. There would be 5 sessions over two and a half days, and the sessions would be hard, very hard. Well, speaking personally, apprehension turned quickly to fear and after checking that there was no easy way to escape, only one sensible course of action seemed appropriate, head into town for a beer or two!

Early the next morning, Friday, we were picked up by Louis-Philippe and we headed off to Lamego. Before we even had a chance to get into the cars, Sensei Águas had given each of us a present of the local Porto wine. The journey to Lamego took approximately 2 hours (including a quick stop for a cup of the strongest coffee on the planet) and we passed through some stunning countryside. We arrived at the Lamego sports complex just after 11am and then after checking into our rooms, it was into the dojo for the first session.
Sensei welcomed everyone to the Winter course and began by explaining that the sessions would be hard and if anyone felt ill then they should just sit down at the back of the hall until they felt well enough to continue. Looking around at those training it seemed the general standard was very high and I just felt like I wanted to kind of disappear and not stick out as visiting students from England. Well, no chance of that, Sensei then proceeded to introduce the four of us to everyone and after some pained smiles it was on with the lesson. The general age of those there was I would estimate between 19 and 25 and these people were fit.

I don't intend to give a blow by blow account of the training at these sessions but after the first two hours (which Sensei explained was just a little warm up) I for one was ready to take early retirement. The afternoon session was, as he had told us, even harder than the morning session and the two hours seemed more like two weeks.

After dinner (in which Sensei Águas insisted that we sit with him and Sensei Murakami) we were all ready to just crash out but Sensei Murakami would have none of that. He said we had to go into town for a drink, one hour maximum! I think we got back to the complex surprisingly early, but still well after 1am, so much for one hour max!
The next day after the first morning session and lunch, it was straight back to the room for a sleep to try and recover some energy for the afternoon session. The training was relatively basic but very intense and plenty of repetitions. At looking at the flagging people in front of him (and not just us four), at one point Sensei explained that he couldn't be kind to us by making the training easier. We just had to keep on and the hundreds of kicks and punches would do us good. He then launched into another set of basics or kumite. I have to say that the training reminded me of the lessons we used to have with Sensei Whitcher and it also made me realize just how lazy I had become over the last few years, primarily through teaching. The afternoon session ended with us performing Bassai Dai, 5 times on the trot, full speed and power, with no break in between, and this after over half an hour of full speed gohon kumite again with no breaks in between (except to change partner each time)!

Saturday night again saw us dragged screaming and begging to the pub for "an hour max!" but this time were many of the other students with us. I couldn't believe how friendly and hospitality they all were and how they made the four of us feel like special guests. I only hope when we have visitors from overseas we can be half as friendly as these young Portuguese were.
The Sunday morning session (the last) was also just as hard as the rest of the sessions but it was eventually over and quite surprisingly we survived it. During lunch, just before returning to Porto, Sensei laughed that he was watching me during the warm up on the Sunday morning and he could see I was "knackered" before we even started training. Well, I'm pleased to report that all four of us stayed the course and none of us had to sit out.

I want to thank Sensei Águas and all his students for looking after us so well and treating us like guests of honor. I hope at some time in the near future we can return their hospitality. I would also like to thank Sensei Murakami for keeping to his word and killing us all!
A final thought, I asked Sensei why he didn't conduct such hard training courses in England. He explained that in England, and in most other European countries, his lessons tended to be Seminars and were more geared to teaching than to drilling, stamina and spirit training. Roughly translated, I think he was trying to tell me, very diplomatically, that we weren't really up to it in England. Well, if that's not a challenge I don't know what is. Lets hope next year we can get 40 to 50 people together who are "up for it" and we too can benefit from this excellent experience. 
 

Dave Lewin. Oct 2002.

Thanks to Mario for helping out with the spelling (and the impossible warm ups)!!!
 

 
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