Aikido in lockdown: November edition

[Jen de Beyer]

Hi everyone

For a moment there it looked like we might be able to get back into the dojo sometime this term. The Sports Centre had opened with some restrictions and was looking into opening the dojo. However, with the latest move into more restrictions, the Sports Centre has closed its doors again, until early December at least, so any plans for in-person training are still on hold. We'll report back if anything changes.

Freshers fair 

On 7 October 2020, the Oxford University Freshers Fair went virtual! Graham, Pablo, Alex, and I spend the day hanging out in our chat room and answering periodic questions. It was quieter than our usual live stall, but we had a few good conversations and it turns out students were checking our stall! Around 60 people signed up to our mailing list. This is around a third of our usual numbers - but usually we get a LOT of people signing up because they feel obligated after a chat. So we're hopeful that these are the core, interested people :) Check out our Facebook page for the FAQ video that we put together to advertise the club.  

As long as we're not training, students can't really join the club formally. However, we're going to open the next virtual First Thursday to the student mailing list as well. 

Virtual First Thursday

Virtual first Thursday continues this Thursday, 5 November , from 8pm on Zoom. To join, just click this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87008778548?pwd=M3E3TXFaUVFaMDYwRVZDRjE1bHhMdz09

I will activate the link ~10min before the start time. You can join with either just audio or audio and video.

(In case you need this info, the meeting ID is: 870 0877 8548 and the password is 581577). To prevent Zoom-bombing, please don't post this link on social media or email it beyond known Club members. 

I've now set this link to be recurring, so you can use the same link every month. 

Fees and insurance

As we mentioned last month, as long as you are not training, please do cancel your regular standing orders! If you have been paying and would like to organise a refund for the past 6 months, please get in touch. If you resume training at another dojo before we start up, please do not assume your insurance has automatically been renewed! Check in with Richard first. 

Practice in lockdown

Informal practice continues outside in Botley! Sessions are advertised by email each week, as we need to take account of the weather. We'll continue these sessions as long as it is practical, with the days drawing shorter and colder. 

Stay safe everyone,

Jen