Lower Hutt Seido Karate

BDO CYCLE CHALLENGE REVEALS STORIES OF KIWI INSPIRATION AND ACHIEVEMENT

The BDO Wellington to Auckland Cycle Challenge reached its final destination in Pukekohe on the weekend, with close to 200 riders making their way safely through the final two stages from Hamilton to Glen Murray and then on to the finish line to waiting family, friends and supporters, each with their own tale of achievement and goals achieved in a remarkable kiwi recreation event.

Organised by former Olympic cyclist Stephen Cox and his company Dynamo Events, the BDO Challenge is an event designed for all New Zealanders, regardless of ability, background or experience with participants self-seeding themselves into a variety of riding groups.

The finish line though and indeed this event is more about the many riders who were taking on the event not to see how quickly they could ride, but whether they could reach the finish line at all and to soak up the experiences along the way.

Ray Hyndman (of Lower Hutt) was one of the remarkable stories, the 79 year old was the oldest in the race and overcame the tough conditions early in the week and some long days in the saddle to cross the line to a great reaction from the waiting crowd, whereupon he was presented with his finisher’s medal.

“That was tougher than I thought it was going to be to be honest. I knew it was a big challenge but with the weather the way it was early in the week, it was hard going at times.

“But I have finished and met some great people along the way. That is the best thing about this ride, as well as the roads we travelled down, it was the people you meet along the way and shared a few stories with once you crossed the finish line.

“I am not finished yet though, I am going to spend a week in Auckland resting up and then plan to ride up to Cape Reinga with a group called the ‘Geriatrix Cycle Club’ so that will be fun as well.”

The BDO Wellington to Auckland Challenge official charity partner is Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand, with MS benefiting to the tune of close to $30,000 from money raised throughout the week in a charity auction, raffle and on line participant fund raising.

Well done Ray

OSU

From us all at Seido karate Lower Hutt Dojo

Ray Hyndman with his finishers medal

As a family, we are keen to encourage Martin’s sporting activities. He is in Riding for the Disabled at Silverstream in Upper Hutt, has regular swimming lessons with the nearby Conductive Education centre, and he enjoys riding his trike at weekends (usually racing his twin brother and younger sister). Martin initially became interested in Karate after hearing about it from his friends at Dyer St primary school, and a somewhat misleading impression gained from watching the ‘Lego Ninjago’ cartoons! Initially I was more than a bit doubtful about the practicalities of his participation. But after reviewing the timing of lessons at the local Seido dojo, and emails with Sensei Ken Szeto, in September 2013 I started taking him along to the Saturday morning sessions for children. Sensei Ken has been highly supportive in encouraging Martin to take part. Martin even has a featured post on the dojo’s website.We worked out the best way for Martin to participate was for me to steady him under his armpits, so he is able to stand up (with his usual leg splints) and his arms are free to block and punch. There is a lot of running in the dojo, and this way Martin can also be supported to move his legs – I try very hard to avoid lifting him. There are also crawling exercises, which he can handle on his own. After observing the way I hold him, the sempai (senior adult students) in the dojo now also take turns to steady Martin when he is learning the 3-step and 20-step kata (a series of moves and punches). That way I can sit on the sidelines with the other parents, and rest my back!

Martin is a very enthusiastic and cheerful student, and he has a loud and distinctive “kiai!” yell when he completes a kata. The exercises definitely tire him, though his stamina seems to be improving. After the lessons he enjoys a restorative chocolate milk with me at a nearby cafe – by that point I need an espresso.The CP definitely hinders Martin’s ability to train at the required level of the karate syllabus, in that he cannot move without support, nor can he undertake any kicks. Crucially, it does not stop him participating in the lessons, or socialising with the other children. As for any 8 year old, having his own gi (uniform) and participating in karate is also great for Martin’s confidence, and gives him some bragging rights at school!

Osu!

Brett Parker (father of Martin)

Pictured: Martin Parker and Dad Brett in support at training