COBRA Sports Club closed in 2009 and no longer takes on students. This page describes how starting at the club used to work.
At any time of year
COBRA Sports Club always kept a beginners' group, so new students could start at any time. It was best to join at the start of a new group, so as not to have to catch up on missed techniques.
Trial session
It was a club tradition that anyone could come to a session to watch or take part free of charge - an easy way to judge whether this was the art they were looking for.
Paperwork
To join the club, new members filled in an application, a declaration and a personal card, and handed in four colour passport photos. The paperwork did not have to be ready by the first session.
Advice for the first weeks
The advice the instructors gave new students still holds for anyone learning a traditional style:
- Follow the instructor's directions strictly - the system is designed to prevent injuries only if it is followed.
- Do not force the stretching: the special exercises give fast results without strain.
- Learn the counting and commands in Chinese - they are required for the 2nd grade. Glossary →
- The first grading is for the white belt - see what it requires.