Birankai Summer Camp 2017 Instagram Contest

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Photo by Mike Head, Aikido Daiwa

At Birankai North America’s annual Summer Camp this year, Julian Frost, North County Aikikai, kicked off an Instagram photo contest. The contest was advertised as “Your Best Summer Camp Shot”.

The rules were one photo per day, per entrant. It didn’t have to be an action shot, but something that captured the spirit and fun of Camp.

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Photo by Suzanne Gonzales-Webb

Winning entries, and some runner-up photos were published on the Birankai Summer Camp Instagram feed (#birankaisc) and the Birankai Summer Camp Facebook page. Julian Frost ran and judged the contest, along with Joanne Fogel, who provided the daily prize… a ticket to the camp raffle.

 

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Photo by Suzanne Gonzalez-Webb

This was Wednesday’s winning photo, taken during the first night’s opening class with Alex Peterson Sensei, Summit Aikikai. Uke: Jake Davis, Sonoran Aikikai. Congratulations to Suzanne Gonzales-Webb!

 

Photo by Chris Poe, Aikido Daiwa
Photo by Chris Poe, Aikido Daiwa

Winner of Thursday’s Best Picture… Ganapatiye Sivaji, Chris Poe, and Adam Bowlds, all from Aikido Daiwa. Congratulations Chris Poe! He had tagged it #sexymofos. Not sure we can argue with that!

 

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Photo by Suzanne Gonzales-Webb

Thursday the honorable mention goes to Suzanne Gonzales-Webb, who actually won the contest the day before. Brian Keaney, Green River Aikikai, with Paddy the otter. Can’t help it, we’re suckers for otters!

 

Photo by David Pedowitz, Aikido Daiwa
Photo by David Pedowitz, Aikido Daiwa

Friday night Tai no Henko at Engine House No. 9, wins Friday’s best picture for David Pedowitz. Congratulations!

Uke: Hideki Okuda, Aikido Daiwa.

 

Photo by Suzanne Gonzales-Webb
Photo by Suzanne Gonzales-Webb

Saturday’s best picture of the Birankai Summer Camp 2017… Suzanne Gonzales-Webb again! Nage: Darrell Bluhm Shihan, Siskiyou Aikikai. Uke: Archie Champion Shihan, Central Coast Aikikai.

 

Other excellent entries included the following submissions:

Photo by Suzanne Gonzales-Webb
Photo by Suzanne Gonzales-Webb

JD Sandoval Sensei, Hayward Aikikai, one of the camp’s core instructors. Uke: Chris Wagner, Logan Square Aikikai.

Photo by Suzanne Gonzales-Webb
Photo by Suzanne Gonzales-Webb

Uke: Bryce Walker, North County Aikikai

 

Photo by Suzanne Gonzales-Webb
Photo by Suzanne Gonzales-Webb

Dennis Belt Shihan, Ventura Aikikai! Another camp core instructor. Uke: Chris Wagner, Logan Square Aikikai.

Photo by Suzanne Gonzales-Webb
Photo by Suzanne Gonzales-Webb

Zanshin!

Photo by Pat Belt, Ventura Aikikai
Photo by Pat Belt, Ventura Aikikai

Nage: Kortney Barber, Brooklyn Aikikai. Uke: Dennis Belt Shihan, Ventura Aikikai!

 

Photo by Claire Wilson, North County Aikikai
Photo by Claire Wilson, North County Aikikai

Rat batting practice! Accuracy and fine technique from Carole Gifford!

Photo by Suzanne Gonzales-Webb
Photo by Suzanne Gonzales-Webb

John Brinsley Sensei, Aikido Daiwa, watching rat batting practice.

Photo by Suzanne Gonzales-Webb
Photo by Suzanne Gonzales-Webb

Nage: Frank Apodaca Shihan, Deep River Aikikai. Uke: Iris Vandevorst, Grass Valley Aikikai.

Photo by Suzanne Gonzales-Webb
Photo by Suzanne Gonzales-Webb

Nage: Gloria Nomura Shihan, Aikido Institute of San Francisco.

Uke: Leonard Schwartz.

Photo by Hannes Schweiger, San Diego Aikikai

Easy Rider

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Photo by Ram Lichtman, San Diego Aikikai

Goodbye University of Puget Sound, goodbye majestic Mt. Ranier. We will see you again next year, July 20th – July 25th, 2018. Until we meet again.

Thank you to everyone who sent in entries, and especially Suzanne Gonzales-Webb, photographer extraordinaire!

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