Tim Dawson - 1st Dan

Tim started Aikido at the BAF Shobukan dojo, in Cardiff in 1981 with Sensei Gillard, Hombu 5th Dan. "At that time the dojo was in the top of a warehouse in the Cardiff docks. There was no heating in the winter and ice on the mat. The roof leaked a bit, but it sorted the men from the boys and you had to have really good balance and awareness to avoid the icy bits!"

He spent 10 years avoiding gradings... "I just wanted to concentrate on understanding and enjoying the movements and philosophy... " but eventually had his arm twisted and achieved a Hombu Dan grade. "My aim now is to unlearn everything and look for a very soft but powerful Aikido -- training with beginners is an excellent way of learning."

Tim continues to train with Shobukan and also holds a BAB coaching certificate.