Parents Page

Welcome to the Parents Page of Kuk Sool Won Children. We are extremely heartened that you have taken an interest in your child's activities at the Kuk Sool School and equally importantly that you have taken time to view this, your very own web page.

I was unexpectadly asked to come up with an idea for the Parents Page and after putting the grey matter to use, I thought the most appropriate way to kick this page off, is to write a factual account of my experience with Kuk Sool and how I am involved as a non-student, but more importantly - what happened to my children. You can read my story below.

I too am a Kuk Sool parent. Both of my two daughters, Daria and Aimee (aged 7 & 12 respectively) joined the Eastbourne School only last year. Like so many other parents, I was concerned reading papers, watching TV, etc., of the potential risks my daughters could be exposed to, growing up in a world that appeared to be so different to the way things were when I was their age. Maybe it is because so much more is highlighted these days in the media - I can't say - but nonetheless, I initially saw Kuk Sool as something I could do to help my daughters should they find themselves in a vulnerable situation at any time in the future. Well at least that was the original intention!

Totally unexpectedly, my eldest daughter - Aimee - who had never shown any indication of being interested in anything before, suddenly found that here was something she could actually learn and maybe more importantly - enjoy learning.  She flew through the first few grades and in just over a year is now in possession of a blue belt -  and entering both the UK & World Championships this year, something I could never have anticipated a year ago. Proud Mum is an understatement!!! The youngest one, originally came along because big sister had joined and I didn't want her to be left out (well babysitting is always a problem isn't it?!) . But she too has done amazingly well so far and is already a "half blue" or yellow belt / blue tag, for those already initiated into the Kuk Sool jargon.

So what is Kuk Sool? From the parent's perspective, Kuk Sool is a multi-skilled martial art and from a layman's viewpoint, somewhat of a cross between numerous other martial arts all rolled into one. Weaponry in the form of staffs, swords, fans (yes truly - and you thought they were only used to cool yourself down - how wrong you were!), bow & arrows, knife throwing, all form part of this martial art. Board breaking a la Karate is here - all I hasten to add, only allowed once the student reaches the senior grade of brown belt or above.

In this day and age, when a lack of discipline is criticised everywhere, here finally is an activity that can offer just that. Instructors do not allow bad behaviour without the student being punished, usually with press ups or lines - 50 lines of, "Martial arts begins and ends with good etiquette", being the most recently requested of the students travelling to the UK Championships this year after they misbehaved. But let's not forget the social aspect. By joining they are coming into contact and making friends with like-minded kids who truly pull together as a team and that cannot be underestimated.

If you, as a parent, are not yet involved, but would like to be, please ask any instructor at a training session for a contact number of the Parents Group, or to be introduced to one of the parents who are actively involved with the Parents Group. We would love to have you join us as part of the team. Please don't wait a year like I did!!!

STOP PRESS.....
I couldn't let the moment pass without adding an update on the UK tournament which - as mentioned above - both Aimee and Daria attended this year.  Daria as a yellow belt, found things far tougher than she expected and although she tried extremely hard she didn't actually achieve any medals, but nonetheless, thoroughly enjoyed the experience.  However, totally unexpectedly, Aimee came away with a Gold medal for techniques and a Bronze medal for forms.  This means that proud mum is now super proud mum and looking towards Houston with more hopeful prospects than originally anticipated.  The pictures above show my two daughters meeting the Grand Master Suh, In Hyuk and an extremely proud Aimee, with medals and Daria with visiting Master Kim, Jae Kyu, from Korea.