Shihan Dave Jacobs 6th Dan

Assistant chief instructor, Shihan David Jacobs 7th Dan is highly regarded by Hanshi as being one of the most powerful karate men around today. Promoting a true image to all those who meet him of what a real karate black belt should look like and stand for.

Shihan's Jacobs 4th Dan Grade test.

After over four years of hard training, 7 days a week, sensei Jacobs was not told in advance he was to be graded for 4th Dan. Hanshi telephoned sensei the night before and told him to be at his house before 6am next morning and told to wear his karate suit.

On a dark freezing cold and very frosty December morning

Sensei Jacobs arrived on Hanshi's doorstep at 6.00am without knowing what to expect and was instructed to drive to a beach in Hove.

For people who don't know where Hove is, it lies along-side of Brighton, East Sussex. At this point Sensei remembered that 35 years ago Hanshi used to be taken by Japanese instructors for training in mid-winter in the sea and lochs in Scotland.

At around 6:30amn on a very dark, freezing cold icy morning, on an isolated beach stood Hanshi with his most senior student, Sensei David Jacobs. Hanshi said we both must prepare ourselves mentally for we are about to do battle with the English Channel. I have to impress that on that morning it was blowing a severe gale. Hanshi always believed in old school training, that one should show by example and the reason why he decided to do the test along-side his senior student.

Stripped down to their karate trousers and black belts, they plunged themselves chest deep into the freezing icy waters to practice an hour test of karate special training.

Staying on their feet from the powerful high crashing waves and the strong pull of under currents that kept dragging them, time and time again under the icy water was a test in-itself as both said later that it was physically and mentally exhausting.

A test like this in such severe weather conditions you could say was extremely dangerous, especially in with high waves, coldness and strong under currents. In hindsight, we could of drowned or swept out to sea. Some may think it was a crazy thing to do, however if you really believe in old school martial arts, this is a challenge to one's courage and inner spirit. Sometimes you have to put yourself up against brick walls, situations that to the majority of the public may seem dangerous.

Part of the exercise was to face up to our fears, even though Hanshi explained that although himself not a good swimmer this test brings out the mental and physical side helping you to win the fight against the odds.

Although the challenge was great the feeling afterwards was even greater.

The day Shihan was awarded his 6th Dan by Hanshi

On the 9th December 2005, Shihan and Hanshi returned to the same place, on the same date the 9th of December, at the same time of 6.30am where Shihan last took his 4th Dan Black belt.

Again it was that time of the year we both stood on a dark and very cold morning at the same deserted beach.

Hanshi and Shihan are now facing each other sitting in seiza (traditional kneeling), Hanshi asks Shihan only two questions.

Would you be willing to wait another year for this grade - the answer came promptly back without any hesitation, oss (yes) Hanshi.

Are you prepared to follow me back into the sea again as before - again the answer came back without any hesitation, oss (yes) Hanshi.

As before Shihan's showed his loyalty, spirit and commitment to his martial art and teacher. The award of 6th Dan was given and accepted.

We both then retraced our steps of the past by going once again back into the freezing sea. Going back many years later to the same place at that same time of day proved Shihan's same determination and attitude to his karate and his respect towards Hanshi.

This was the same test of Shihans 7th Dan

The important thing this exercise achieved was, it tested Sensei Jacob's respect and dedication without question or hesitation to his teacher .

Shihan Jacobs will never forget the day he was awarded his 4,5, 6 and 7th Dan karate black belts. How many black belts today can say they have experienced this.

PREVIOUS PAGE