Wing chun

Cork24

I'm wondering i hear theirs a place out in Douglas in Cork City that does Wing Chun on Thursdays @ 7pm any one know what building in Douglas it may be?

corkma

i think its the scout hall

Cork24

Where is Scots hall ?

flynny51

lol... read it again.

http://www.google.com/maps/place?cid=8083157073467977941&q=scout+hall

Cork24

Went down to see what was happening, and the guy told me fill out a form.

did not allow me to sit in and watch his training which has never happened before told me to fill out the form along with 85 for the year, and top of that its 12 a class which is dare enough

so i think ill hold off on that. not paying 85 plus 12 and not knowing.

Doug Cartel

Wow. You had to pay €85 before you could even have the honour of paying another €12 for a class?

Did it look like he actually had any students?

Cork24

he sent me packing with form in hand, without seen the Class in Action, I being doing Martials arts since i was 8 and never in my life have i seen some one sent some one away with out offering them to either join in or sit and watch then they will talk to you after the class asking you how did you get on and how do you feel about it..

Ok it looks Cool when people come in with Gloves and head gear but **** dude never judge a book by its Cover he show me some Old Pics and half of them are pics or Thai Boxing.. unless the guy now done Thai Boxing before i dont know

As any one about this guy no one knows. and if they do they dont say much.. So what i want to know is their anywhere else that does Wing Chun which lets people to sit in and watch before joining?

I tried Shao-Lin Kung Fu which was great the guy and all was nice and easy to talk to, he give me a one Week Free pass to all classes in the Week which are 5 classes a Week,
only thing is that their classes start at 6pm and i finish work at 6pm so No good

Cork24

dont know about that but told me he would ring me when a Slot opens up now thats please!

Cork24

dont get me wrong have no problems with anything about the place but, 85 for Member ship and i dont think its Insurance either! plus on top of that 12 a class

i cant understand why he lets no one sit in like how are people going to know what its about and what its like firsthand?

plus he gives u a declaration to sign **** i ant going in for a Face lift !!

flynny51

Some of the info in this thread might help you.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055154206

Cork24

Same boat as you, I was given a Form and told off i go.

What stops some one Renting a Hall, and watching Training Videos & state that they have full Training in Something.

Check this out Their Very Very Kind and give you a Free 1 week Pass and they allow you to watch, they Train in Weapons and 5 Animals Fight Styles.
As i Said in my last Post the Hours did not do me that well.

http://www.shaolin.ie/?gclid=CNWLwZba2qMCFYZo4wodrCHK-g

Opinicus

flynny51 wrote: »

If it's the guy I'm thinking of - John O'Riordan..

There used to be a John O' Riordan doing TKD years ago in Kerry. Same fella?

Hail 2 Da Thief

Cork24 wrote: »

did not allow me to sit in and watch his training which has never happened before

I'd imagine that his secret training methods are so deadly that only the most dedicated students are privilaged with the opportunity to learn these techniques :rolleyes:!!!

Cork24 wrote: »

told me to fill out the form along with 85 for the year, and top of that its 12 a class which is dare enough

LOL, so he wants you to pay €85 up front without even being allowed to view a class taking place? You weren't even offered a free trial class?
Is that alarm bells I hear ringing? Run for the hills mate!

Cork24

I never had a place that never gave you a free trial till now. the pictures he showed me had no TKD just a few old Thai Boxing pictures and none of them looked like him,

flynny51

Cork24 wrote: »

I never had a place that never gave you a free trial till now. the pictures he showed me had no TKD just a few old Thai Boxing pictures and none of them looked like him,

They were pictures, kind of hard to tell if it was muay thai they were doing no?

Doug Cartel

flynny51 wrote: »

They were pictures, kind of hard to tell if it was muay thai they were doing no?

These things look very different. Very very different.

I guess there is the possibility he was taking part in sanda/sansho, does anyone know if he has a record in this?

OLDMAN1

Doug Cartel wrote: »

These things look very different. Very very different.

I guess there is the possibility he was taking part in sanda/sansho, does anyone know if he has a record in this?

he or any of his students never entered any of the sanshou competition i put on last year, i gave up trying to get in contact with him, i rang him at least 5 times, texted and emailed the same , but i never got a reply...

Doug Cartel

For the record, as much as anything else, you run one of the main full contact kung-fu competitions here in Ireland, don't you?

What about if the photos were from competitions a few years ago, or outside Ireland? (Though I realise you could probably only speculate on this - so if you don't want to comment, fair enough.)

OLDMAN1

Doug Cartel wrote: »

For the record, as much as anything else, you run one of the main full contact kung-fu competitions here in Ireland, don't you?

What about if the photos were from competitions a few years ago, or outside Ireland? (Though I realise you could probably only speculate on this - so if you don't want to comment, fair enough.)

just to set the record straight, i am no longer involved with the I.C.B.A (IRISH CHINESE BOXING ASSSOCATION)

The first Sanshou competition held in Ireland was last year, if he fought outside Ireland in the past the people to ask would be Niall keane or Liam Dale, they may know, i have no information on his fight record...

Cork24

the pictures he had were Thai Boxing how could you tell they were wearing Thai Shorts.

Plus he had a Pic of Chris doing a Flying Kick into a Pad, I saw it down in his Gym in Blackpool before i think his name is Chris

yomchi

Opinicus wrote: »

There used to be a John O' Riordan doing TKD years ago in Kerry. Same fella?

No that's John Riordan, he's a sound guy. He's up in Newcastle west now and Lixnaw plus a few other places I'm not sure of the names.

He still does Taekwon-Do with Don Dalton.

flynny51

Cork24 wrote: »

the pictures he had were Thai Boxing how could you tell they were wearing Thai Shorts.

Plus he had a Pic of Chris doing a Flying Kick into a Pad, I saw it down in his Gym in Blackpool before i think his name is Chris

I had a feeling you were going to say Thai shorts! They're very comfortable and don't interfere with flexibility. I have an awful pair of gi pants, like trying to high kick in jeans. Could be someone was just wearing them for comfort.

Opinicus

yomchi wrote: »

No that's John Riordan, he's a sound guy. He's up in Newcastle west now and Lixnaw plus a few other places I'm not sure of the names.

He still does Taekwon-Do with Don Dalton.

Yeah that's the man.

CorkonianRebel

LOL!! this thread has given me flashbacks! I remember going down to John O Riordans class while it was on and I wanted to watch what was going on.This was when he was in Pine Street and I slid in quietly to watch.He saw me and it was like I slipped into the Pentagon with no ID! I was promptly ushered out the door and given a form! Pay Membership up front and then per class and I could join, he said.I remember thinking it was weird to pay for something I hadnt seen but I joined up anyway.That should be a lesson to everyone!

I stuck at it for a fair while even though my head said this isnt right.I bought a tee-shirt as I felt weird without one and I wanted to fit in.The next week he had a new batch and said it would be good to look the same as he had one on! He had new Tees every few weeks! I could live with him selling a few Tees but the training wasnt great.This was when he moved to Douglas and I was paired up with the senior student.Nice one, I said to myself......I will learn a fair bit here! When we were left alone to practice, the guy says he has no idea what we are meant to do! I thought he was joking but he wasnt! Dont get me wrong as John O Riordan seemed very good at Wing Chun but not good at teaching it.I stayed at it for around a year but began to drift away as the classes were costly and I was making slow progress with the poor teaching.

Then I happened to meet him in town outside Easons by chance one day and he says my membership is up and when I come to class to make sure I bring it with me! He didnt ask me about how I was getting on, just straight into money talk!! Thats when I gave up and looked for a different place!

This is just what happened to me doing it and what happened to the Original Poster just brought back the memories of my experience!

corkma

the tkd john o riordan's a different guy. he still runs a club in kerry. he's one of the top dogs in the iutf

corkma

lots of shao-lin posts popping up. all dissing the other kung fu club in cork

CorkonianRebel

I didn't mean to disrespect any other club.If someone is happy in a club, thats fine by me.I was just telling what happened to me and my thoughts.The stuff about being told that you cant watch a class brought back memories thats all.People can join there and see for themselves and they might like it there.Its up to the person as different things work out for different people.

corkma

I agree that not beeing allowed to watch a class is rubbish

yomchi

corkma wrote: »

I agree that not beeing allowed to watch a class is rubbish

Sounds like a lad with zero confidence in his ability

Cork24

No a hope in hell after hearing your mans comment about poor teaching,

i wish we were like America!! were they have Great teachers for every thing.

Niall Keane

Re. USA perhaps you are being sarcastic? But just for the record Ireland has had real (internationally recognised) world champions in Kung Fu related competition, the USA has not.
Personally I haven't heard of the clubs mentioned so far, so I wont comment. Finding real king Fu is a task in itself for many, I see you've been looking for a while, I admire your persistence. Whenever youre in Dublin feel free to drop in to any of our sessions (on the house) I'd hate to see someone eager to learn the art reject it due to a few bad experiences.

Cork24

Not Saying USA have better Fights or stuff. what i am saying is, i wish we were like America, Every No matter What Part of the Country your in, you are sure to find at lest 3 schools of every thing.. Here you have 1 of everything if you dont like the teacher or his training is poor then thats the end of that for you.

take Hapkido i tried that out like it hurted my back was out for a while. and then when i was looking to go back i find out UCC are after taking it over and now i cant join it. Same goes for Wushu UCC has it love to give that a try but no i can't.

theirs seem to be only 2 places in the Country that does JKD Dublin and the North. if we were like America, you have School Every where every Art would be their for people to join if they please, the only art with more then 1 club at the moment are Thai boxing, karate TKD Judo. which is a shame

Doug Cartel

Cork24 wrote: »

Every No matter What Part of the Country your in, you are sure to find at lest 3 schools of every thing..

This isn't really the case. Unless you live in a big city, and a lot of America is very rural, there'll probably only be TKD - if anything.

Cork24

when i was in New York their were Shaolin 3 school of it down in China Town, their were a **** load of BBJ

Doug Cartel

New York city, or New York state? Given that you mention china town, I'm going to assume you mean the city. That's not exactly rural is it? In fact it's one of the largest cities in the world.

Try some hick town in Idaho, tell me how you get on.

LiNgWiStIkZ

It appears we've been quick to judge.

Just got in contact with him this morning. Spoke to him for quite a long time. From what I experienced, he's a VERY experienced guy and it's all genuine. The fees aren't important to him but the class is tiny and he needs to keep up with rent and insurance. To be honest though, he had a good point about hesitating to leave visitors in. The room is tiny, if there were a full class then they'd all have barely any room.

He doesn't have a PC so all wingchunireland.com work and the email address is directed to another guy who seems to be very slow - which is damaging his reputation unfortunately!

tl;dr? He's a fantastic fella with a genuine interest in WC. I'd try it out if I were ye!

Cork24

Fair enough that the Class room is small and the number is small. and that he does not allow Visitors to sit in, but you have one guy Stating that he went to him and he was poor and the guy also stated that he say him in town and only asked about his fees.

ok that could be a Sam Pepper, but the fact of the matter is, why no Free trail? or even get to see one class running and then you can make up your mind on the fact should i join or not,

If this was China or Japan, you could ask to see the master skills, and then the choice is yours but here is not the case, only way of knowing is by getting a Free Class, your next class if you show up is a fee. i went to aload of places and got free classes and they were not for me, so i never went back. but paying 85 and being in the Unknown and then what if i turn around and say Well its not for me, I dont get my Money back. No a nice way to Run a School if you call it that here.

Chucky the tree

LiNgWiStIkZ wrote: »

It appears we've been quick to judge.

Just got in contact with him this morning. Spoke to him for quite a long time. From what I experienced, he's a VERY experienced guy and it's all genuine. The fees aren't important to him but the class is tiny and he needs to keep up with rent and insurance. To be honest though, he had a good point about hesitating to leave visitors in. The room is tiny, if there were a full class then they'd all have barely any room.

He doesn't have a PC so all wingchunireland.com work and the email address is directed to another guy who seems to be very slow - which is damaging his reputation unfortunately!

tl;dr? He's a fantastic fella with a genuine interest in WC. I'd try it out if I were ye!

So he's got no space to let 1 person in to watch for a few minutes but he's got space to let a new member join when they pay €85?

Heckler

Hey,

Its going back a few years now but I trained under John in Wing Chun and Seven star praying mantis for a good few years. I'll point out the good and the bad. At the time I had been training in Shotokan Karate and my friend was training karate and kung fu and said I should check it out.

Pros:

In my experience John was remarkably proficient in what he taught. He demonstrated everything himself. All the forms taught he showed the combat applications for every move. (something lacking in the katas i was doing in karate). One of my first 7 star mantis classes John was showing joint locks and pressure points. I was looking at him dropping people to the floor with the smallest of touches and thinking 'what a crock of ****e'......Then it came to my turn. Ouch. He was never nasty in this kind of demonstration, it was all done to show the application and result. He also teaches tai chi and chi kung. I've seen 2 big guys in class try to lift John by his outstretched arms when he sinks his chi and they couldn't do it. And Johns not huge by any means. For anyone thinking that was a setup I also got a chance to try to lift him, no chance.

I don't know anything bout membership forms and not being allowed to sit in on classes. Maybe because my buddy was a member I was able to join straight in. As far as i remember the fee was 30e and 8 per class (this is going back a few years now remember).

Cons

Training was twice a week (tuesday Wing Chun, Thurs 7 star mantis). some people did both some didn't. John often wouldn't show and would have one of his more experienced students take the class. i always assumed this was because John was/is a fireman and maybe worked shift and so on. The price of the class was the same regardless.

I always found John friendly and approchable. He never had this 'bow to me your Sensei and i will teach you ninja tricks attitude'. I did find the classes a bit pricey compared to the 2e a class for karate (Olympic Karate Club in Cork) but John had small classes (10 or less) compared to the OKC (20+).

Anyway, thats my experience with Sifu John. All good really. Maybe things have changed i don't know.

Cork24

By all mean i would say he is a great person and an great person in the Art he is Studying,

I'm doing Judo for a while but want to change my Style. As one person said to me before, in a Fight. what would i do, I answered get him into a Headlock and throw him to the Ground by the force of the fall and the fact i'll would be landing ontop of his ribs would force him to not being able to get up for a while.

he laughed and said, If you fight someone that's good on the Ground you fight Standing up. you fight Someone good Standing up you Fight on the Ground, you fight some one good with Kick you Fight Close in, Fight some one good at close Range, you fight at a Distance.

Point i'm making he was pointed out that i have on Style only and to truly become better i need to be able to Change the my Style in which has sent me looking since then i have done 5 different Arts all which are good, but something was lacking. only one i found really good was Hapkido but since UCC took over i can tick that off my list.

corkma

I think you're wrong about the Hapkido club. Norman Creedon teaches TKD in the mardyke. This is a UCC club and not open to the public. He teaches Hapkido in the Lough Parish Hall. Both clubs share a website but the Hapkido was always open to the public. UCC doesn't have a Hapkido club, in the TKD classes they finish sessions with a small bit of self defence that looks a bit like Hapkido.

Cork24

Last time i heard UCC took them over, They also took over the Kendo I think i could be wrong with that one.

corkma

I'd call in for a look. When the Mardyke was flooded the clubs would have moved to the lough parish hall

Niall0

Cork24 wrote: »

he laughed and said, If you fight someone that's good on the Ground you fight Standing up. you fight Someone good Standing up you Fight on the Ground, you fight some one good with Kick you Fight Close in, Fight some one good at close Range, you fight at a Distance.

Point i'm making he was pointed out that i have on Style only and to truly become better i need to be able to Change the my Style in which has sent me looking since then i have done 5 different Arts all which are good, but something was lacking. only one i found really good was Hapkido but since UCC took over i can tick that off my list.

Have you tried doing MMA?

Cork24

dont like MMA. MMA is more like BJJ. i watch a few fights in UFC, and lower level of MMA and it more or less ends up on the Ground,

the hole point of Self Defence is being able to stop an Attack on the Street. I cant see how MMA could do that, thats one place you dont want to end up on is the Floor out in Town as anything could happen.

if you do MMA not trying to Start a Fight of Words. but just me, if you gave me one of the Two UFC or K1 i'll pick K1 all the time im a K1 fan since i was Little.