Basically, what comes to mind right now is just WOW! The camp was not only the biggest, it was the best by far, and the BTS Training Center is the most amazing facility I have ever seen!The weekend started Friday night for the 135 in attendance with an inspirational talk from CrossFit founder Greg Glassman (
CrossFit.com) on why CrossFit and S.P.E.A.R. work so well together. That was followed on Saturday morning by the largest workout I have ever been apart of when Brendan Gilliam (
https://webmail.montcopa.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.crossfitnsc.com/brendan.html) took over 100 attendees through a CrossFit workout, it was just an awesome sight.
Tony Blauer and his team then took the camp through several hours of concepts and drills. The camp was made up of roughly equal parts military, law enforcement, and general public. One of the most impressive aspects of the training was the universal applicability of the S.P.E.A.R. System for each group regardless of experience level. Coach Blauer's ability to seamlessly relate the material to each group is just amazing, and a tribute to the system he created.
Saturday culminated with an excellent MMA class by UFC fighter Joe Lauzon, who was also universally praised for his teaching prowess.Sunday began with an intense Combat Conditioning workout that blended CrossFit concepts with the S.P.E.A.R. Systems behaviorally based drills.
The remainder of day consisted of training drills including the X-Axis Shin Kick and Saving Private Ryan drills plus an overview of the importance of mindset by Coach Blauer.
This year's camp ended as always with a Ballistic Micro Fight demo by members of the PDR Team and S.P.E.A.R. Instructors showing just how realistic training can get in High Gear.Everyone, I spoke to at the end of the weekend planned on attending more training ASAP, several inquired about joining the PDR Team so they could start teaching the general public, and many of the LEO's and military personnel in attendance where interested in attending the S.P.E.A.R. Instructor course to be held at the WTC in October, and/or sponsoring courses within their agencies or groups.
Congratulations to Tony, Jesse and the whole team. Here is a link to some photos from the camp:
http://picasaweb.google.com/tdarcuri/08BlauerTacticalSystemsSummerCombativesCamp?authkey=gFXWDj-Zprchttp://picasaweb.google.com/wakefoose/BlauerTacitcalSystemsCombativesCampUSAAugust2008Camp and Other Training Feedback:
"I appreciate everything BTS has done for my mom and I. I really look up to everybody on the team. I couldn't of asked for better opportunities to be able to grow as a instructor, as well as a person. And I thank you for that!"
- Jake Jacoby- The Realistic Female Self Defense Company
"Tony,Just wanted to say thanks, I do Crossfit and have really come to enjoy the vids they have up re the SPEAR system and your instruction. I have 9 yr old and 11 yr old daughters and I have slowly started introducing them to concepts in self defense. They will actually sit and watch your instruction vids (I introduced them to it with the 'Open hand/Closed hand' after that they were hooked). The girls play volleyball and swim and fitting in a martial arts class of any variety would be tough so I do what I can to get the concept of self defense into their awareness of the world. The other day after watching one of the vids (I believe it was 'Intro to the Spear') my 11 year old (who is 5'4") wanted me to try and swing on her. I was reluctant so we are just standing there talking about it and I reached quickly for her collar. . .her head flinched, her hands came up, blocked . . . she looked a me and said, "Wow, that was really cool". Thanks for that, and for helping her start down the road. And I could have talked to her about mindset for weeks and it doesn't make near the impact as when she listens to your instruction (ahhh the lesson of being a parent).Cheers, keep up the great work."
- Corey -
"This may sound very cliche, but I think the PDR training is the missing piece of the puzzle in my martial arts training. I have over 16 years of martial arts experience, and at 4th Dan I found myself getting complacent with my techniques and training. The PDR and S.P.E.A.R. system has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for me now. I now understand how this system can compliment any martial arts style, and no longer feel guilty for taking something outside my martial art. It can only enhance my training. I really appreciate the intellectual level at which the training is delivered. I work as a Kinesiologist and already understand in great depth the body's physiological response to fear, but this course has now taught me much more about the psychological component. And listening to the "Mental Edge Package" on the way to work this morning has motivated me to research this further. Thanks!"
- Kumar Bandyo, B.Sc.Kinesiologist, RK
The latest issue of Black Belt magazine (August 2008) features a news article for Blauer Tactical's regional seminar series.
UPSTATE NY PDR BOOT CAMP - August 22nd and 23rd - info here.
https://webmail.montcopa.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.baileysherkimer.com/pdr.htmbaileysherkimer.com/pdr.htm TONY BLAUER OPEN SEMINAR, UPSTATE NY - October 11th - Rare opportunity to train with the founder of the S.P.E.A.R. system. Info here:
http://www.baileysherkimer.com/pdr.htmONE DAY PDR REGIONAL SEMINARS
Daytona, FL on November 8th - contact
michaelpanebianco@mac.comBoston, MA area on November 15th - contact
jsteinmann@gmail.comPLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN HOSTING A COURSE
PDR COACH CERTIFICATION - April 2nd-5th, 2009 Virginia Beach - contact
tom@pdrteam.com.
BTS 2009 COMBATIVE CAMP - August 14-16, 2009 Virginia Beach Put it on your calendar!
