GAD:
Email Address: gad@westerncircle.org
I am one of the original martial artists that helped found the Western Circle of Swordfighters. Sixteen years ago when I arrived in California, I began to gather friends and fellow martial artists together to join in sword competition. At first the events were few and far between, but as they increased in number and grew in size, so did outside interest in the art of the sword. The other Kenjutsu instructors and I began to take on more students, who in time began to compete alongside us. The more we taught and they learned, the more there was a calling for a formal means of training outside of the existing organizations. The Western Circle was born out the desire for a truly new Kenjutsu form. A council of the three most experienced martial artists in the circle was formed and they decided on the set requirements, and brought order to the loose network. These requirements followed the traditional rules and lessons from their many years of formal training. Soon my first school opened in San Jose and an opportunity for people of all walks of life was provided.
My ultimate goal is to provide a true, but moderately safe means of full contact sword combat for all who have the respect and desire to wield such an honorable weapon. For years now I have extended the offer of learning to people of all walks of life who have the honor and respect it takes to learn the art of the sword. Now some of our Kaidens have taught worldwide and while we keep our numbers small the friendship and respect of many other circles have helped shape the WCoS into what it is today.
My Beliefs:
I am Christian, and although I do not always succeed I try to better myself with each passing day.
“No right is lost, as long as someone remains asking for it.”
The Person:
I am a 39 year old who has loved the sword since I could lift one. I stand all of 5'5" and weigh 152lbs. I have red hair and gray eyes. I come from distant Irish/French heritage and have had the pleasure of seeing some of the old world.
I have been training for over 27 years and teaching for 18. My vow as a Kaiden is to teach all who have the heart and respect to learn; a goal I have blessed to be able to provide.
I myself am a student as well, always learning from, and gathering knowledge from the field of combat. I prefer to fight steel, but I have fought in almost every form of sword combat including; fencing, Kendo, Bokken, SCA Heavy weapons and competed against many other martial Arts studios in attempt to broaden my knowledge and grow. I feel the teacher is ever the student and for a swordsman to grow they must always seek improvement by testing their skill in environments that may not always be their own. I have also studied Aikido, Hapkido, Kick Boxing, Taekwondo, Jujutsu and have worked as professional Personal Defense instructor. " There is nothing between that which must be done and that which you can do."
.
Training Status:
March 2010: I completed the 30 Minute Non Stop battle and have met all the requirements as set by the Council to wear the Red Dalmater.
September 2010: I have completed a three month physical fitness contract with retired Expert Swordsman Joseph. This is known as the P90X. I did at least one hour of training every day for 91 days without missing a single session. I am now in the best physical condition of my life.
June 2009: I have completed my one year training contract successfully.
June 2008: I have begun a one year training block in a set of requirements that fall under the advanced Black Chain series. When completed I will have an additional 500 hours of logged practice and competition. I have signed a formal contract. .
November 2007:
My finger was severed in live steel sword combat on October 27,2007, while competing in the Coliseum. I was rushed to emergency surgery and it was reattached. (As of 2009 I have had two more surgeries and it is now fully functional)
2006: Actively pursuing
the seventh level of steel.
December 2005 Update: I
have named the personal sword style I have been working on for
the past 15 years. This is the combination of my WCoS training
and the many other martial art forms I have studied.
I call it "The Way of the Ever Adapting
Blade".
October 2005 Update: As
of October 16th, I have completed my Black Braid training.
June 2004 Update: As
of June 1st, I have begun my Black Braid training.
December 2003 Update:
As of December 1st, I have taken over as Head Kaiden of
the W.C.o.S.
November 2003 Update: As
of November 1st, I have begun training again.
January 2003 Update: As
of January 1st, I have stepped down.
November 2002 Update: I
will be stepping down as Head Kaiden and leaving the WCoS on January
1st, 2003.
December 2001 Update: As
of December 1st, I have passed my Copper Chain test and rose to
the rank of Expert Swordsman. The test, though it was difficult,
was truly an honor to be part of. 6 instructors took part in what
was the most ancient test of swordsmanship I have ever witnessed.
I shall never forget being forged anew by torch light on a cold
December night. It was truly the beginning of my walk with the
sword and now that I have a basic understanding of such a fine
weapon of honor, I hope only to live up to what I have received.
November 2001 Update: I
have now completed all the physical requirements expected of a
swordsman in order to take the Copper Chain test. I took the 20
minute non-stop battle on August 23rd and had one hundred seventy
one matches with almost a seventy percent victory rate. I learned
a lot, but the foremost lesson for me was that inner will and
faith have a place on the battle field...
I completed my twelve mile hike last Sunday, and with it I am
now prepared to walk the final pathways of an advanced swordsman......
October 2001 Update: As
of October 25th, I have passed my silver chain steel test.
October 2001 Update: As
of October 4th, I have passed my silver chain test. In doing so
I have completed all the requirements to be tested in the highest
level of the circle, and I am now only awaiting word from the
council. May my sword remain ever steady, and my heart open...
June 7, 2001 :
As of August 6th I have taken and passed: my Green Braid evaluation,
my White Rope test, my Red Rope test (and previously took RR2
test), and I have completed all my requirements except the 20
minute non-stop battle. I now hold the rank of a Red Rope 2 (L5).
I will write more as I grow closer...
Battle Ratings and Stats
Updated
10/31/05
Years Fought
in excess of 25
Battles Fought
in excess of 8,000
Steel Battles Fought
3,200
WCoS Ranking
L7
Steel Ranking
L6
Opponents Fought
In excess of 400
Weapon Type
Two handed broad sword
Email Address: gad@westerncircle.orgI am one of the original martial artists that helped found the Western Circle of Swordfighters. Sixteen years ago when I arrived in California, I began to gather friends and fellow martial artists together to join in sword competition. At first the events were few and far between, but as they increased in number and grew in size, so did outside interest in the art of the sword. The other Kenjutsu instructors and I began to take on more students, who in time began to compete alongside us. The more we taught and they learned, the more there was a calling for a formal means of training outside of the existing organizations. The Western Circle was born out the desire for a truly new Kenjutsu form. A council of the three most experienced martial artists in the circle was formed and they decided on the set requirements, and brought order to the loose network. These requirements followed the traditional rules and lessons from their many years of formal training. Soon my first school opened in San Jose and an opportunity for people of all walks of life was provided.
My ultimate goal is to provide a true, but moderately safe means of full contact sword combat for all who have the respect and desire to wield such an honorable weapon. For years now I have extended the offer of learning to people of all walks of life who have the honor and respect it takes to learn the art of the sword. Now some of our Kaidens have taught worldwide and while we keep our numbers small the friendship and respect of many other circles have helped shape the WCoS into what it is today.
My Beliefs:
I am Christian, and although I do not always succeed I try to better myself with each passing day.“No right is lost, as long as someone remains asking for it.”
The Person:
I am a 39 year old who has loved the sword since I could lift one. I stand all of 5'5" and weigh 152lbs. I have red hair and gray eyes. I come from distant Irish/French heritage and have had the pleasure of seeing some of the old world.I have been training for over 27 years and teaching for 18. My vow as a Kaiden is to teach all who have the heart and respect to learn; a goal I have blessed to be able to provide.
I myself am a student as well, always learning from, and gathering knowledge from the field of combat. I prefer to fight steel, but I have fought in almost every form of sword combat including; fencing, Kendo, Bokken, SCA Heavy weapons and competed against many other martial Arts studios in attempt to broaden my knowledge and grow. I feel the teacher is ever the student and for a swordsman to grow they must always seek improvement by testing their skill in environments that may not always be their own. I have also studied Aikido, Hapkido, Kick Boxing, Taekwondo, Jujutsu and have worked as professional Personal Defense instructor. " There is nothing between that which must be done and that which you can do." .
Training Status:
March 2010: I completed the 30 Minute Non Stop battle and have met all the requirements as set by the Council to wear the Red Dalmater.September 2010: I have completed a three month physical fitness contract with retired Expert Swordsman Joseph. This is known as the P90X. I did at least one hour of training every day for 91 days without missing a single session. I am now in the best physical condition of my life.
June 2009: I have completed my one year training contract successfully.
June 2008: I have begun a one year training block in a set of requirements that fall under the advanced Black Chain series. When completed I will have an additional 500 hours of logged practice and competition. I have signed a formal contract. .
November 2007: My finger was severed in live steel sword combat on October 27,2007, while competing in the Coliseum. I was rushed to emergency surgery and it was reattached. (As of 2009 I have had two more surgeries and it is now fully functional)
2006: Actively pursuing the seventh level of steel.
December 2005 Update: I have named the personal sword style I have been working on for the past 15 years. This is the combination of my WCoS training and the many other martial art forms I have studied.
I call it "The Way of the Ever Adapting Blade".
October 2005 Update: As of October 16th, I have completed my Black Braid training.
June 2004 Update: As of June 1st, I have begun my Black Braid training.
December 2003 Update: As of December 1st, I have taken over as Head Kaiden of the W.C.o.S.
November 2003 Update: As of November 1st, I have begun training again.
January 2003 Update: As of January 1st, I have stepped down.
November 2002 Update: I will be stepping down as Head Kaiden and leaving the WCoS on January 1st, 2003.
December 2001 Update: As of December 1st, I have passed my Copper Chain test and rose to the rank of Expert Swordsman. The test, though it was difficult, was truly an honor to be part of. 6 instructors took part in what was the most ancient test of swordsmanship I have ever witnessed. I shall never forget being forged anew by torch light on a cold December night. It was truly the beginning of my walk with the sword and now that I have a basic understanding of such a fine weapon of honor, I hope only to live up to what I have received.
November 2001 Update: I have now completed all the physical requirements expected of a swordsman in order to take the Copper Chain test. I took the 20 minute non-stop battle on August 23rd and had one hundred seventy one matches with almost a seventy percent victory rate. I learned a lot, but the foremost lesson for me was that inner will and faith have a place on the battle field...
I completed my twelve mile hike last Sunday, and with it I am now prepared to walk the final pathways of an advanced swordsman......
October 2001 Update: As of October 25th, I have passed my silver chain steel test.
October 2001 Update: As of October 4th, I have passed my silver chain test. In doing so I have completed all the requirements to be tested in the highest level of the circle, and I am now only awaiting word from the council. May my sword remain ever steady, and my heart open...
June 7, 2001 : As of August 6th I have taken and passed: my Green Braid evaluation, my White Rope test, my Red Rope test (and previously took RR2 test), and I have completed all my requirements except the 20 minute non-stop battle. I now hold the rank of a Red Rope 2 (L5). I will write more as I grow closer...
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| Years Fought | in excess of 25 | ||
| Battles Fought | in excess of 8,000 | ||
| Steel Battles Fought | 3,200 | ||
| WCoS Ranking | L7 | ||
| Steel Ranking | L6 | ||
| Opponents Fought | In excess of 400 | ||
| Weapon Type | Two handed broad sword | ||