European “Gathering of the Pack” 2011

[lonelydog]

A big “Wuff” to all

I’m elated to announce one more time the annual European “Dog Brothers Gathering of the Pack”.

This year schedule will be:

Saturday 9th July, “Dog Brothers Gathering of the Pack”
This will be our 6th “Gathering of the Pack” in Europe. We can be excited to have again an awesome event with fighters all over Europe and further afar. Audience is welcome.

Schedule / Location:
Saturday 12.00
Turnhalle Kirchenfeld, Aegertenstrasse 46, 3005 Bern / Switzerland

Registration:
FIGHTERS MUST PRE-REGISTER, even if they have fought before. The Fighter's registration form must be filled out and sent to me until 30. June. For registration and the registration-form please contact me at: lonelydog@dogbrothers.ch
Only those who are pre-registered are allowed to fight. You are not registered until your name appears on the list of registered fighters at;  www.dogbrothers.ch


Sunday 10th July, Seminar
Use the unique possibility to train with: Guro Marc “Crafty Dog” Denny
This is one of the very few seminars that the Head Instructor of DBMA gives in Europe! Don’t miss the opportunity…

Schedule / Location:
Sunday 12.00 - 17.00
Turnhalle Kirchenfeld, Aegertenstrasse 46, 3005 Bern / Switzerland

Costs:
Seminar with Guro “Crafty Dog”: 80 sFr / 60 Euro


Monday & Tuesday 11./12. July, Training Camp
The Training Camp will be conducted by: Guro “Crafty Dog” and Guro “Lonely Dog”

Schedule:
Monday/Tuesday, each day 3 training sessions:

-  1st session 10.00 - 12.00 Stick fighting & Kali Fitness with Guro “Lonely Dog”
-  2nd session 14.00 - 16.00 Dos Triques with Guro “Crafty Dog”
-  3rd session 18.00 - 20.00 DLO & Kali Tudo with Guro “Crafty Dog”

Costs:
The training camp is just admitted with prior participation of the Sunday seminar.
All 3 days together (seminar & camp): 180 sFr / 140 Euro


Easiest and best way for accommodation is the campsite in Bern: www.campingeichholz.ch
This is very close to the Gathering/Seminar location, also it’s a good way to make contact to the other fighters and have fun together while camping together. Considering food there is a supermarket close by, and the camping has kitchen corners to use for free. Besides the campsite has a restaurant.

If you have more questions please let me know.
Otherwise see you all in summer!

Wuff
Benjamin “Lonely Dog”

[Gong Fu Dog]

I'm already counting the days....

Will be so great to see everybody again!

[Kostas]

I'll be there 

[Gong Fu Dog]

I'll be there

Great my friend...looking forward to see you again 

Zen Guerrilla, nice that you speak German....will be great to have a chat with you

[AndrewBole]

see you soon !!

[Gong Fu Dog]

Gong Fu... I look forward to it! 

Me too 



AndrewBole, looking forward to some nice discussions about BJJ 

[Point Dog]

It's going to be sweet! 

Also, looking at the plan for the training camp... looks like Guro L will break our bodies in the morning and Guro C will break our minds in the evening

AWESOME!!! 

[The Tao]

Lonely Dog....I just sent my registration form via email/.pdf file.

Many thanks.

[Crafty_Dog]

If you like, I can do both 

[Point Dog]

If you like, I can do both 

   We know you can 

I've just volunteered myself for a DLO-style beating, haven't I

[The Tao]

I won't be making it.

[Crafty_Dog]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svb0bfvlvVI&feature=player_embedded

 

[jcordova]

Very funny!!!

[Point Dog]

Just back from seeing my surgeon, there is a possibility I won't be fighting this year 

I have a chunk of 'missing' cartilage behind my right knee cap and will require an arthroscopy to 'find and remove' it.  Depending on when I can get operated on this will mean that I may not be able to fight 

[Crafty_Dog]

Very sorry to hear that PD.  Speaking from extensive personal experience, some of the toughest tests of our path come when we are injured.  Now is when you can show how much our path gives by keeping your mind right.

[Gong Fu Dog]

Point Dog, I'm sorry to hear that! I wish you a fast recovery!!

[Kostas]

Just back from seeing my surgeon, there is a possibility I won't be fighting this year  

I have a chunk of 'missing' cartilage behind my right knee cap and will require an arthroscopy to 'find and remove' it.  Depending on when I can get operated on this will mean that I may not be able to fight  

I'm sorry to hear that...it sucks big time...no two ways about it  

[Crafty_Dog]

There is rumor of a sarong with a baseball inside vs double sticks fight. 

[Gong Fu Dog]

There is rumor of a sarong with a baseball inside vs double sticks fight.  

Yes Sir....I'm also looking forward to see that fight....  

[barna284]

Is it necessary to register in advance for the Seminar & Training Camp? I will be traveling Europe in June-July and I wanted to attend the Gathering as a spectator and then do the Seminar & Training Camp if possible.

BTW, which equipment need I take? Sticks & MMA gloves good or should I bring headgear & stick gloves? 

[lonelydog]

no you don’t have to pre-register to attend the seminar/training-camp. Just send me an e-mail to let me know...
as equipment just bring sticks, (maybe some padded ones too), a training knife, some gloves (mma and fma), a pair outdoor shoes, a pair shoes for training indoor (training hall).

wuff
benjamin
 

[lonelydog]

hi colin

very sorry to hear that! hope you will have a good recovery.

curious about the news you have. looking forward to see you soon at the loreley.

benjamin

[lonelydog]

at the moment 45 registered fighters, and I expect more registrations…

sure this gathering will be great!

see you all soon.

registered fighters are: http://www.dogbrothers.ch/pages/en/dog-brothers/gathering.php

wuff
Lonely Dog

-

[barna284]

Does anyone know of any other place I can stay in other than Camping Eichholz? Apparently all the rooms are booked  . I'm travelling alone (backpacking through Europe) and intend to attend the gathering as an espectator and attend the three days of training (the looks I've gotten from my sticks hanging out the backpack at train stations are priceless). Any hostels / cheap hotels to recommend?

Thanks in advance!

[Kostas]

Does anyone know of any other place I can stay in other than Camping Eichholz? Apparently all the rooms are booked  . I'm travelling alone (backpacking through Europe) and intend to attend the gathering as an espectator and attend the three days of training (the looks I've gotten from my sticks hanging out the backpack at train stations are priceless). Any hostels / cheap hotels to recommend?

Thanks in advance!

The following was NOT cheap (80-90 euro a night) but I stayed there last year and was happy with it.

http://www.kreuzbern.ch/

Be forewarned...it has rained at most of the Gatherings held in Bern.  As for the rooms at the camping, they usually get booked months in advance.  I believe there is a hotel much closer to the camping than the Kreuz (which is  in the city center)  - namely the Ambassador - Guro Lonely or Point Dog can fill you in.  I am not so sure that it is cheap.

I will be pleased to meet you - if you see me, please come and introduce yourself - I arrive at the last minute, and will probably have my mind on the fights, but after the day is done, I'd be interested in hearing about your  backpacking around Europe - in younger days, I did a lot of traveling, and still have a number of friends who do.

[barna284]

I will be pleased to meet you - if you see me, please come and introduce yourself - I arrive at the last minute, and will probably have my mind on the fights, but after the day is done, I'd be interested in hearing about your  backpacking around Europe - in younger days, I did a lot of traveling, and still have a number of friends who do.

I sure will! It's been quite an interesting trip so far. I still have Venice and Paris before Bern, and London, Madrid and Barcelona afterwards. It's a really mind-blownig experience.

Now, if you excuse me, I have to go try to find somewhere to stay...lest I end up sleeping under a bridge!

[Gong Fu Dog]

barna284, I´m also looking forward to meet you next week  
And I hope you find a nice place to stay

[barna284]

barna284, I´m also looking forward to meet you next week 
And I hope you find a nice place to stay

Thanks man! I just got a room at a nice hotel relatively close to both the train station and the gathering spot. Quite expensive but what the hell, you only live once...

Hoep to see you all in a few days!

[Crafty_Dog]

As I've gotten older, the 12-14 hour flight to Switzerland had gotten tougher on my hips, so I have had to evolve some special pre-flight workouts to prepare.  Very pleased with today's session.

[barna284]

Guro Crafty, I have a nagging injury in my right hip which comes and goes. I might try to bribe you to get some of your hip rehab-prehab secrets. Will some italian Chianti wine do the trick? 

[Kostas]

I sure will! It's been quite an interesting trip so far. I still have Venice and Paris before Bern, and London, Madrid and Barcelona afterwards.

Excellent...see you soon!

[Crafty_Dog]

B284: 

It just might 

[Point Dog]

57 fighters! 

Can't remember exactly how many were at the first Euro-Open, I think it was 60+.

Seeing some of the names on that list has made me wish I'd train that wee bit harder! 

I forsee a long day, with many spectacular displays of Heart, Mind and plenty of Balls! 

[C-Mighty Dog]

Have some GREAT fights! I will Eventually make it out there one year. What I see is, there are alot of Newbee's fighting. I'm sure with your experience, you'll do well, while most of them will be wondering why they signed up!

[C-Celtic Dog]

Unfortunately I am not going to make it this year as my sister has asked me to be the Godfather for my nephew that same weekend.

Going to miss seeing everyone but should be back next year.

Hope everyone has a great weekend, good fights and some cold beers 

Gerry

[Crafty_Dog]

"Higher consciousnesss through harder contact!" (c DBI)

[Crafty_Dog]

An awesome day.

[Crafty_Dog]

Far too big a day to relate all at once, (I will have to get the final count of the fighters from Benji) so I will start with the newly ascended Gong Fu Dog;s Three Section Staff.  In the interest of full disclosure I should say that I worked both GFD and one of his opponents, Dog Andraz 

Frankly our thoughts on the TSS before GFD was that generally it was not a terribly effective weapon (see #6 in RCSFg, The Stick vs Other Weapons) but GFD, with a strong background in a traditional Chinese Gung Fu system has caused our thinking to evolve.  See the 2011 TrIbal Gg clip.  When paired with his substantial aggressive BJJ guard skills it is not enough to achieve closing the distance.  I worked with Dog Andraz some ideas for closing on GFD's TSS , , , and then I worked with GFD to become harder to close against.  Much of this had to do with adding to his ability to throw caveman and forehand horizontals (which by the themselves run the risk of predictability) with uppercuts from both sides and backhand horizontals and diagonals as well.  Also we worked a gunfighting footwork concept to his spinning backhand move.   
Given that he had only been exposed to these ideas for the first time the day before this fight, I was really impressed with how well he integrated them into his fight.

I look forward to seeing what happens as he deepens in this material from this experience.

DA executed very well the blocking structure on which we had worked to defend against the TSS ability to whip around typical blocks and whack the opponent, often in the back of the head.  Being sound in this is vital against the TSS and I thought DA did this very well.   

Both men had their moments in a very exciting fight.

This was not the only quality fight for the TSS.  GFD can generate considerable power with some of his motions and he may have broken a metacarpal in one of a different opponent's hands.  Also there submissions  from guard. when the fight did close e.g. GFD closed against a spear structure long staff opponent.   

In a related vein Lonely Dog and , , , I forget who had an intriguing fight using flails (stick with wooden ball attached by short length of rope).  IT being felt that the wooden ball presented IQ reducing risks, a certain care was used.

Sorry for disjointed nature of this post; it is the best I am capable of at this moment.

[Gong Fu Dog]

Guro Crafty, thank you so much for all the new ideas! I will work on them for sure!!!
And also thank you for preparing Dog Andraz the way you did! It was a great fight, and I learned a lot!

BTW, it was me who had the Flail Fight with Lonely Dog...

Woof!
C-Gong Fu Dog

[C-Mighty Dog]

"Newly Ascended Gong Fu Dog"....Does that mean that C-Gong Fu Dog has made Full Dog Brother?........

[Crafty_Dog]

My bad.   This was only his second Gg as Candidate and so he is not yet eligible for consideration.  He remains C-Gung Fu Dog,

[Crafty_Dog]

Lots of good vibes in the post Gg altered state today.

Today I taught single stick for 5 hours.  Tomorrow Benji will do KK and I will do double stick and Kali Tudo.

Tonight I played the PPV show for everyone.  Good times!

[Kostas]

Greetings all..am writing from Zurich airport...waiting to return home

This was my 3rd Gathering and I believe that this time the level of fighters was better than ever.

C-Gong-Fu Dog did very well....Guro lonely had an intense fight...amazing to watch him explode into action with a flurry of hits,..

My Bulgarian friend Pavel - a strong contender at his first Gathering, integrating kicks into his stickwork quite well

I managed four fights in the day...thanks to Point Dog, Pavel, 3D-Dog, and C-Lena Dog for helping show me the weaknesses in my game.

There were a number of promotions, which I leave to others to announce here.

A GOOD Gathering...a STRONG Gathering.

Respect to all those who fought, and have fought.

[Gong Fu Dog]

Kostas, it was good to see you again my friend...Congratulations on becomming Candidate! You deserve it! Looking forward to see you again next year

[Kostas]

Kostas, it was good to see you again my friend...Congratulations on becomming Candidate! You deserve it! Looking forward to see you again next year

Thank-you...and yes...it was great to see you too, my brother!

I want to thank you for your encouraging me to attend, though I have had a difficult year.  I would also like to thank you for your coaching me in my fight against 3-D Dog, which would have gone worse for me, were you not there.  And last, but not least, to let you know that we are grateful for your expanding DBMA through your 3-section-staff work with Crafty Dog's help.

It was also a pleasure to meet your wife and son, my friend, and I hope to see all of you again next year 

[Crafty_Dog]

Yesterday at the Camp Guro Lonely opened with KK, then I taught Double Stick into Kali Tudo. For those so inclined Guro Lonely did a Kali Fitness segment. Today my section will be on DLO.

[Gong Fu Dog]

Kostas my brother, you are more than welcome!

I'm more than grateful that Guro Crafty is showing me some new ideas for my 3SS Game!!

And yes, my family will definitely next year also be there 

[Crafty_Dog]

DLO yesterday.  Rest today.  Home tomorrow.

[Gong Fu Dog]

Guro Crafty, thank you for these beautiful days!!
Without you all of this would be impossible!!

I enjoyed the Kali Tudo Class a lot! And it was a honor to be your "dummy" 

Woof!
C-Gong Fu Dog

[barna284]

I'm already in London, yet the days at Bern are still running through my head. I really enjoyed being a spectator in this Gathering; both the comradeship and the intensity of the fights were amazing.

I'd like to thank all the great members of the tribe I met. Guro Crafty and Guro Lonely, thanks for some great training sessions. I'm sure it'll take me a long time to fully absorb everything we saw. Kostas, Colin, Thornsten, Chris and anyone else I may be forgetting, thanks for the friendly conversation and advice. I look forward to seeing you all again next year, hopefully as a fellow fighter in the Gathering!