GETTING a kick out of life is literally something two Caithness families know all about.
Mike Ritchie, from Thurso, his son, Michael, and daughter, Kimberley, are karate enthusiasts and have all achieved the grade of 2nd Dan black belt in Shotokan karate.
But they are not the only local family to have achieved such a high standard in the martial art.
Bob Silverwood, who lives in Auckengill, and his two sons, Fergus and Robert, also have their black belts.
It is an impressive achievement, particularly as the clubs in Thurso and Wick only have a combined membership of around 80.
John Hilton, who has been involved in the martial art for over 20 years and is an instructor at the Thurso club, said Michael Ritchie passed his cadet 2nd Dan grading in 2009 when he was 17 years old. Mike and Kimberley passed their senior 2nd Dan grading in September last year.
"All three of them attended an international karate course hosted by Sensei Kawasoe – head of the United Kingdom Traditional Karate Federation – in Edinburgh where Mike and Kim passed a three-part examination that tested their basic karate techniques (Kihon), their performance of a predetermined set of moves (Kata) and free sparring (Kumite) under strict control," he told the John O’Groat Journal.
"It is quite rare that young people continue to train and do karate through their teenage years. There are so many other attractions for them at that time but a few stay with us. I am delighted that Michael and Kim stuck at it and are still members of the club, although Kim also trains in Edinburgh where she is studying at university."
John pointed out Mike and Michael, who stay in Rockwell Crescent, have now become instructors along with himself and Charlie McIntosh, who has been a stalwart of the club for the past 28 years.
John explained it can take about six years to get to the 1st Dan stage and a further two years to achieve 2nd Dan. "It is hard work and gets harder with each stage," he said.
All black belt Dan gradings take place in either Edinburgh, Glasgow or London and are part of a weekend training session. "These training sessions are with Japanese instructors and can be attended by over 500 students from the UK and abroad," said John.
Training at the Thurso club takes place twice a week in the Royal British Legion hall on Mondays and Mount Pleasant Primary School on Thursdays.
Bob Silverwood took an interest in the martial art after his sons joined the Wick club as junior members.
All three went on to get their black belts with Robert, who is now a 24-year old doctor based in Edinburgh, getting his 1st Dan in 2001. Bob got his in 2003 while Fergus – a student at Aberdeen University – was awarded the grade in 2004. Robert and Bob received their 2nd Dan grades in 2006 and their 3rd Dan grades in 2010.
"I am very proud of what my boys have achieved. They put a lot of effort in and have done well. We all kept one another going because of the shared interest although our house sometimes looked a bit like a Pink Panther movie," said Bob, who paid tribute to the contribution made to the Wick club by longtime instructor Michael Tait.
"He is the leading light of the club and without him we would have missed out on a lot. It is a very welcoming club and the crack is tremendously good.
"The boys continue with their karate in Aberdeen and Edinburgh and train here when they are home. It is something we share and greatly enjoy.
"I suppose what we did as a family is an achievement but it just felt right for us."
