45 people attended Water & Steel East 2009. Held at the Ramada Inn in Virginia Beach. The on-site restaurant, Mahi-Mah's served a huge buffet breakfast, great lunch specials for participants, and is one of the areas best restaurants for dinner. Hotel Link: www.virginiabeachramada.com 

  Commentary from promoter Gary Mah: 

  It was a very good seminar with lots of positive energy, practical information and a new modular approach to teaching information. We started Friday night with foot traps and an introduction to striking patterns Kelly Worden calls the dirty dozen. Saturday covered different ranges striking with open hand, closed fist, edged weapons and stick. The travel wrench and Saf-T wrench were also introduced. Sunday covered staff, single stick, striking on focus mitts open and closed hand. He taught us about the probability of multiple attackers and how to respond to or position oneself to protect oneself. I know this is a very general overview but there was more information covered that I have not mentioned.  

  Special Guest speaker Gary O'Neal, a Special Force living legend, spoke about the work it takes to live life honorably and respectful of our capabilities. Gary O’Neal taught us about humility by his actions and as an example to follow. You had to be there to appreciate it and I am not able to express the richness of the weekend between Kelly's teaching and Gary's experience. Kelly teaches street survival and his teaching methods help to build one's confidence and improve one's capabilities in a short time. Kelly had a number of his students who had trained with him in other places and a few of his Instructors present, adding to a lot of personal attention for everyone. 

  We are hoping to have Kelly Worden back next year around the end of Jan. 2010 but will finalize details as we get through the summer. I wish I could express better the success of the weekend but all I can say is you had to be there to appreciate how good the seminar was. Kelly Worden likes to lay his hands on each student giving a personal set of instructions to every person who attends. He will either make you laugh or make you cry but he will make you a better and safer person in the process. Happy Chinese New Year to all and it is the year of the Ox. If you missed this year, I hope you can train with Kelly either in his Water and Steel seminar Labor Day weekend on Raft Island near Seattle, or back in Va. Beach, Va. the last weekend of Jan. 2010.

Training knife giveaway by TAK. 6 training knives and a signed copy of Dwight McLemore's The Fighting Sword were given away during the event. Left to right: John Stanley (TAK), Bobby Cavenda, Leanna Falkenhagen, David Lindsay, Gary Mah (promoter), Gerado Secco, Yvette Costales (2 additional winners not shown).

Some of the local guys with Kelly. From left to right: Roger Nicholls, John Stanley, Carl Cash, Jeff Karako, Kelly Worden, Seth Nicholls, Gary Mah (promoter), and Ken Estes.