"Great Smoky Mountain Camp"
Lives Up to its Name

BRASSTOWN, N.C. - Every time you turn around, someone is using the adjective "great" to describe something which in reality turns out to be rather ordinary. There's the shortstop who is "great" in the field but can't hit his own weight; the wide receiver with "great" speed and concrete bands; the martial artist with "great" form but zip for fighting technique.

So when I was asked to cover the recent "Great Smoky Mountain JKD/Kali/Silat/Thai/Camp" in Brasstown, NC., my suspicions were at fever pitch. Just how "great" could this camp be? I asked myself. Well I'm here to tell you the camp was true to its word "Great" expectations bore "great" results.

Picture if you will a one-week martial arts training camp in July featuring some of the world's top instructors. Over 55 hours of total training, two meals a day (served in the camp's new kitchen/dining area), and time enough to review the day's lessons following a shower and jacuzzi.

Among tile many dignitaries at the "Great Smoky Mountain Camp" were: jeet kune do instructor and author TimTackett, (left); Dan Inosanto (middle); and Cliff Stewart, bodyguard authority, (right).

Now at most seminars, once the instruction is over the guest martial artist is out the door. But not here. There's no place for them to go. You've got them to yourself all night. Just think about the possibilities discussing theories until all hours with Dan Inosanto; exchanging locks and holds as well as Bruce Lee anecdotes with Larry Hartsell and Tim Tackett; learning Muay Thai with "Chai" Sirisute, unquestionably one of the best teachers in the world. And then there was Cliff Lenderman, combat ninjutsu; Bert Poe, survival expert; Chicago self-defense aficianado Fred Degerberg; former female kickboxing champion Graciela Casillas; top body-guard Cliff Stewart; and Atlanta, Ga., wing chun instructor Francis Fong. All on the same mountain, all ready and willing to talk to anybody with the time to listen. All for a solid week.

No one complained about overcrowding at tile Great Smoky Mountain JKD/Kali/Thai Camp. In fact, there was more than enough room for the 200 participants to work out without worry about bumping shoulders. At left is an aerial view of the camp, while at right is the boxing rlng, where the real action took place. Francis Fong Academy Student Note: The boxing ring currently in the academy came from the same ring pictured above. (refurbished to date)

Conceived by Hartsell and developed by Brasstown, N.C., residents Vic and Ann Payne, the "Great Smoky Mountain" camp is designed to bring as many different minds as possible together for a week of sharing, learning, trading. You will not find jealousy here. Professionals in every sense of the word, these practitioners regard the martial arts as a constant sharing and learning process. The more you share, the more you learn. On many occasions, staff members would participate in classes other than their own. They would appear awkward, just like some of the students. A feeling of one big "family" pervaded the camp, giving the students a oneness with the famous teachers. There was never teacher-student separation; rather, it was 200 stylists of different traditions burying their biases for one summer week.

The sights of this year's "Great Smoky Mountain Camp." Top left is "chai" Sirisute demonstrating Thai boxing footwork; Sirisute and Dan Inosanto (middle left) enjoying a light moment: Atlanta, Ga., wing chun instructor Francis Fong (middle right); and Chuck Patrick (top right), showing off his blacksmith skills. Directly above are the camp's "name" instructors: (top row from left),Graciela Casillas, Cliff Stewart, Cliff Lenderman, Larry Hartsell, Fred Degerberg. Paula Pedersen and Tim Tackett. Bottom row from left: Francis Fong,"Chai" Sirasute and Dan Inosanto.

Most of the credit for the success of this latest camp should go to the Paynes, who once again arranged an excellent week of instruction. Vic hopes someday this outing will be the finest in the world. Judging by what I witnessed, he's well on his way toward reaching that goal.

Former kickboxing champion Graciela Casillas (top left) watches two camp members workout while "Chai" Sirasute demonstrates a low kick (above right). At lower left is jeet kune do instructor and noted author Larry Hartsell applying a lock. At extreme right, a myriad of generations enjoyed what the camp had to offer.

Clockwise from right Fred Degerberg and LaVonne Martin pose for the camera; JKD/ninjutsu instructor Cliff Lenderman; Degerberg; a pair of camp members practicing focus gloves drills; the popular pistol classes; and Inosanto and Paula Pedersen with the kali stick.

Copyright © 1999 Francis Fong Martial Arts Academy. ©. All rights reserved.