Jason Widdy
Jason's Alter Ego
Jason joined the Ballarat Kendo Club on Sept 10th 1987, during the club’s second beginners class, by a friend who had started in the first beginners’ class (he quit two weeks later!). From then till May 2001 his training with the club was consistant, only missing about 12 training times in those 14 years, including the dark times when it was cold winter nights and it was Gary and himself or Gary, Tony and him). He started Jodo in 1998 with Sensei Katsumi Kuramochi, who helped him get his 1st+2nd Dan Kendo as well as his 1st Jodo Grading.
Jason on his last day with the Shubukai Kendo Club
From October 2001 to March 2006 Jason moved to the Gold Coast (work related) where he joined the Gold Coast Kendo club ‘Shubukai’ . He enjoyed training there, apart from the extreme heat and and humidity. It also helped that the Dojo was 15 min walk away from his home (I wonder how the locals think when I walk to training in full uniform, this is before I got the schooter)
Again because of work, Jason have moved back down to Ballarat. Unfortunately because of work (afternoon and night shifts) his training is off and on again. Although his dose try to support the club when he can by running their website as well as other supporting roles, when he is not training.
Current Ranks: 3rd Dan Kendo, 1st Dan Jodo
hi jason, yes i do remember you shubukai is a great small dojo with wonderful teachers. as i remember you where a editor, had many a great time down there as i used to travel down from the redlands with my good friend nick. and yes i do recall the heat getting the best of you sometimes. hope you are doing well. kind regards dave.