sport
EVERYBODY
WAS KUNG FU
FIGHTING
Aled Singleton stays
fighting fit with some
kung fu training.
KUNG Fu is an ancient martial art which has
developed into thousands of different forms over
one and a half millennia. The form of kung fun
practiced at Roath Nam Pai Chuan Kung Fu comes
from Malaysia.
As soon as we arrived at this class myself and
fellow beginner Abbi were pushed straight into
exercises which would be familiar to anybody who
had done circuit training or something like pilates
or yoga with sit-ups and push-ups. Once there
seemed no part of the body left to warm up we
worked with a partner to practice some contact:
starting with one-on-one tag, before learning a
sequence of moves with kicks and punches.
Instructor Nick Chown kept on reminding us
throughout that kung fu is both ‘art’ and ‘martial’;
the former being about learning a skill and the
latter about the potential to use fast and efficient
force against a combatant. Probably the most
rewarding part of the class was practising a setpiece move where one person was the aggressor
and the other defender. By the end the defender
gained the skills to take the aggressor down in just
a few simple moves.
The recurring message from Nick was that this
pic JIWEI HAN
ancient martial art gives you confidence and
discipline. You are taught enough to do the basics
in self-defence, but also the self-assurance not
to abuse those skills. Once the aggressor was
down Nick told us he would normally walk away
– knowing that the other person would back off.
Though we learned some more crippling moves
this doesn’t seem to be the point of kung fu. Nick’s
own story is that seven years of kung fu had helped
him turn his life around and “find the good person
inside”.
The class finished with a series of kicks and
punches – again working with a partner. The whole
way through balance was seen as more important
than being able to kick or punch well; at one point
Nick even told us to let off the hand movements
and just concentrate on keeping secure on our feet.
The fact that everybody in the class helped Abbi
pic:JIWEI HAN
and me confirmed that nobody there had an ego or
any point to prove.
Info: 07817 821502 / www.
cardiffroathkungfu.com
THE PEAK OF FITNESS
With the South Wales Three Peaks Trial this month, Alistair Corless
talks about the opportunity to prove you’re not over the hill.
WHY run when you can walk? If you are of this
mindset then the South Wales Three Peaks Trial is
the event for you.
This organised challenge walk is designed to test
hikers both mentally and physically with a focus
placed on map reading alongside powers of endurance.
The event was first held in March 1963, making it
the third oldest of its kind in the UK, and it is the
walk’s renowned reputation for being both safe
and challenging, which has led to hundreds of
competitors gracing the finish line year after year.
Since 2008 the course has been modified to include
a 10-mile bronze option, catering for all shapes and
sizes of rambler. Alongside the bronze route, which
also consists of a 2000’ ascent, there are gold and
silver routes – circular walks of 15 miles with 4000’ of
ascent and 20 miles with 5000’ of ascent respectively.
For those with Bear Gryllsesque capabilities, there is a
platinum route. This is a linear walk spanning 17 miles
and 5000’ of ascent, making it shorter than the gold
route yet such is the steepness of the ascents that
navigation is more challenging causing the route to
be far tougher. Such is the allure and difficulty of the
platinum route that entry for the race is limited to just
200, meaning that not even all of Leonidas’ Spartans
would have been tough enough to make the grade.
The Abergavenny hills have seen all manner of sights
over the race’s 41-year history, with climbers ranging
from canine companions to the seven-year-old son
of a former race organiser. The money raised from
the 2014 Three Peaks Trial will be split between
the charities; Longtown Mountain Rescue Team,
the National Trust, the owners of Sugar Loaf and
Skirrid Fawr. With the race looking likely to sell out,
pic: DAVID EVANS
one of South Wales’ most renowned hiking events
looks set to hit the heights once more this year.
Red Cross Hall, Abergavenny, Sat 29 Mar. Tickets: £18/£10 children (platinum route); £10/£5 children (all other routes).
Info: 029 2023 8576 / www.threepeakstrial.co.uk
BUZZ 46