On the 2nd Feb a group of fighters and fitness enthusiasts all gathered together at Wild Geese HQ for a Kettlebell Basics workshop.
It’s something I had been promising for a while, but as I’m so busy, often forget to arrange until too close to the date.
This time though it was different.
Our resident Kickboxing coach, Ronan McSweeny, had actually requested that I run a workshop as he’d seen me using them, had a go and thought, this could help.
So he put word out amongst his crew and then said “Dave, need to run a workshop”
Who am I to argue with the Irish, 4 Nations and World Full Contact belt title holder?
We set a date and I got to work.
The result was a cracking afternoon with attendance from a wide range of people, Kickboxers, Brazillian JuJitsu players, Mixed Martial Arts fighters, fitness enthusiasts and our intrepid Judo Coach.
There were one or two cancelled late on but have since paid up and one or two who handed over cash even though they knew they wouldn’t be in attendance.
Why would they do such a thing?
Because all the money raised on the day was to be donated to the Lia Stem Cell Fund (www.liastemcellfund.com), I’ve written about this poor girl before, but please click the link, you’ll find a whole heap of info on fundraising events and even instructions on how to donate directly into the fund.
We raised a little over €200 on the day. Future workshops will raise even more.
But back to the day…. After a joint mobility warm up participants were taken in detail through the three foundation movements in kettlebell lifting, the Squat, the Swing and the Press. Over a 2 hour period the gathered crowd learned, listened, asked questions and practiced these drills until each and every one of them had a thorough understanding of the hows and why’s of the methods taught.
This all culminated in a short workout using the same 3 moves.
I’ve since decided to call the workshop my Level 1. I will be expanding on this with further workshops until the participant has
enough knowledge and experience under his or her belt to become a certified instructor.
Unlike any other certification I’ve seen, the completion of the workshop does not guarantee a pass. I will expect you to teach a seminar or class of beginners (including myself) before the title of Coach is bestowed upon you.
It is a title that can and will be rescinded if misrepresented.
At Wild Geese we take our reputation very seriously.
That said, I will be running another Level 1 workshop on the 7th March, between 12 and 2pm.
Cost will be €20 per head, all going into www.liastemcellfund.com
To book your place either email me on info@wildgeesema.com or drop me a line on 087 672 6090.
You can also book me to run a workshop at your own club/gym/venue. I’ll still donate the cash.
Regards
Dave