Slovenian Savate Summer School 2006

The People

The seminar participants were from Slovenia, Germany, Hungary, Serbia and the UK. Many fighters were preparing for the forthcoming World Assaut Championships, others were new to the art. I was fortunate, as the only monolinguist in attendance, that the only shared language was English.

I was invited by Jjurij Obreza (Slovenian Director of National technique) to meet the international crowd he had assembled and lend some of my training methods to the seminar. I am very grateful to Jurij for accommodating me at the seminar and being an excellent trainer and buddy during my stay. I also must thank him for the swiftness of his driving on the way to the airport.

Many of the sessions were led by Juruj and Saso Weixler, of the same federation, and also by Gerhard Schmidt, of Germany and the FIS. All were instructive and interesting teachers who gave us a safe yet intensive seminar.

The Setting

We trained in a magnificent setting above the beautiful Adriactic harbour of Portoroz, with views of the sea, the mountains and warm pine trees all around. Our glass and brick chalets were flanked by a covered swimming pool, house with sauna and gym plus a large herb garden and verandah from which to take in the air and the views.

The Training

I arrived on Sunday to find the afternoon session already underway. The schedule called for three open air training sessions per day, complemented by swimming or running in the morning and a Savate defence session each afternoon. Alas, rain from Tuesday onwards afflicted many of these sessions, but indoor alternatives, including theory classes and overviews of judging and arbitration, were substituted wherever possible.

The Savate

The Slovenian approach to Savate is fast and stylish. The higher level attendees were fluent with excellent fist combinations and were light on their feet. Everyone trained respectfully and it was a pleasure to work in this group. Jurij also shared with me his prolific paperwork on the art, including a geometric systemisation of foot placement and angles, and also a numbering system for the strikes that allows for concise coding of combinations that can be understood internationally.

The Tournament

On the final day of the School a tournament was held in a local gym to seek cover from the rain. Thorough organisation of the event by Saso, coupled with decisive judging from Gerhard, took us through three weight divisions for the men and two for the women in a clinical and timely manner. I am pleased to report that I won my group fight, plus a semi-final and final to become the 2006 Adriatic Heavyweight Champion in Savate Assaut. My opponents offered a little too much respect and space, enabling me to work at my preferred range and to select my kicks for the benefit of the judges. The final, against the Hungarian 89kg fighter, was a close affair with two very different fighting styles in opposition: mine, technical and long range, his, fast and close, mainly using fists. The decision was left to the Official Delegate after a verdict of Egalite by the three judges. At this point my more technical approach paid its dividend with the win coming my way.

The Verdict

Anyone thinking of attending future events in Slovenia is heartily recommended to take the chance. Here we have a friendly, effective federation with some excellent Savateurs and organisers. The country is also beautiful and, excluding the luck of the weather, is an excellent place to visit and in which to practice Savate.

James Southwood

NB as a training participant, I was unable to use my camera during the Savate sessions and my shots take in only the scenery and the after hours revelry. For photos of the training please visit the Slovenian Savate website: www.savate-zveza.si

Photos from the 2005 school can be found here:

www.savate-zveza.si/poletna%20sola%202005.htm

"In French Boxing, a tireur in action is the image of Man in the fullness of his physical and intellectual abilities."

Count Pierre de BARUZY