EMAR SUMMER TRAINING CAMP 2017
BULGARIA, SANDANSKI TOWN 23.08 – 30.08
Training sessions and instructors
There will be a minimum of 3 training sessions (indoors and outdoors) per day. Besides the countless Kyokushin sessions ( most of them led by my very first Kyokushin teacher that taught
me everything about Kyokushin Spirit), students will have the chance to train under some of the top boxing, wrestling and MMA coaches in Bulgaria. Some of the sessions will be together with the local Kyokushin, Wrestling and MMA team. There will also be some Kickboxing sessions, too mainly focus on technical development!
Upon arrival in Bulgaria, we are climbing a small mountain (Vitosha) with a beautiful waterfall, where we will do a short waterfall training session and have a lunch before we head to Sandanski.
Part of the training session will be climbing to the top of Seven Rila Lakes ( one of the most beautiful and most visited tourists place in Bulgaria. There will be a lunch there and additional training session on top of the mountain ! ( great fun:)
Activities
We will also visit Melnik town (the smallest town in Bulgaria with a population of only 385 people). The town is an architectural reserve and 96 of its buildings are cultural monuments.
Between trainings we will have the chance to visit a village called Rupite. The area around the village is the crater of an extinct volcano. It is also known for the curative thermal water springs issuing in the area, with a temperature of 71-78°C. Due to the eminence’s interesting origin (often called "the only volcano in Bulgaria) and the abundance of rare species of the Bulgarian flora and fauna, Rupite is a proclaimed natural landmark since 1962.
Accommodation
7 Nights / Full Board
– 3 Stars Hotel ‘Perun’. The newly refurbished Perun Hotel enjoys a peaceful location next to the large city park on the edge of Sandanski. It features a modern spa centre and offers fine Bulgarian cuisine.
All rooms at the Hotel Perun are air-conditioned and have a balcony offering views of the Pirin Mountains & foothills. Free Wi-Fi is available in all of them. Spa facilities include a hot tub, a steam bath and a sauna. Massages can be booked as well ( at additional cost) and there is also a fitness centre. The restaurant with its charming garden terrace serves a wide range of Bulgarian specialities and international cuisine. The lobby bar is open 24 hours a day. The package is based on two people sharing a room.
If there are interested ones we can arrange a rafting experience on the local ‘Struma’ river. It is truly an amazing experience.
A professional target shooting with a real rifle can be arranged upon request
Previous years we organized a one day trip to Mediterranean sea in Greece ( it is only about 90 min drive from our hotel with our private transport). We had a training session there on the beach and came back to Bulgaria in the evening. It was truly a great experience and we will most probably do it again this summer camp if the team is interested
ABOUT SANDANSKI TOWN
The town of Sandanski is one of the most beautiful and safe towns in Bulgaria – it is chosen by many National and International athletes and professional teams for their training camps and preparation for National, International and Olympic competitions. They call it the warmest town in Bulgaria. It has a Mediterranean climate. The unique microclimate is suitable for lung disease treatment.
Sandanski is a popular balneological and spa centre. There are 80 curative thermal water springs in the area, the temperature of which ranges from 42 to 81 degrees (Celsius). It is successfully used for treatment and prevention of many diseases of the respiratory tract, artro- rheumatism, diseases of the loco-motor system, the nervous system etc.
The healing mineral water is the main reason for the region to be inhabited since ancient times. The settlement occurred in the 2nd millennium BC. According to the legends, the Thracian Spartacus, who led the largest slave uprising against the Roman Empire, was born and raised here.
Sandanski has occurred and developed on the ruins of the Early Byzantine town. Remains of four Episcopal basilicas were found in Sandanski. The central Episcopal basilica dates back to the period of the 5th – 6th century AD and impresses visitors with its unique mosaics.
Due to its healing climate, rich history, healthy & tasty food and beautiful nature the town not only attracts tourists from all over the world but also many professional athletes. Every year sportsmen from all over the world choose Sandasnki for their training camp.
SPA AND SWIMMING POOLS
Because our hotel does not have a swimming pool, I have spoken with the managing director of the World famous 5 star Spa Park Hotel Pirin (this is one of the few hotels in Bulgaria that received a EUROPESPA WELLNESS seal of approval in 2009 and it is less than 3 min walking distance from our hotel) and I managed to arrange a deal to use their Indoor and outdoor swimming pool and spa facilities which includes:
Fitness, swimming pool with hydro- massages jets, kid’s swimming pool, Jacuzzi;
– Sauna park / Finnish sauna, Bio-Sauna, Steam Baths – caldarium and laconium,ice – fountain,emotion showers, hot beds and benches, relax zone /;
– Garden-Park with outdoor swimming pool, kids’ room;
So between training sessions we can relax at this truly amazing place!!
Important Information about the camp
Regarding clothes – the first training session will be outdoors, so make sure you have minimum two pairs of comfortable shorts, 3 pairs of T-shirts and really comfortable ( for running and climbing) trainers. It is also recommendable to have one of those hats that protect your face from the sun (especially for those that are not used to the strong summer sun). I checked the weather forecast and the temperature range for our stay is between 33C and 36C (which is not bad at all, considering that sometimes it gets to 45C).
We will also spend some time in Swimming pools so it will be good if you have swimming trunks (or shorts) with you and a pair of flip flops. Again for those of us that are not used to the summer sun I highly recommend to have a sun protecting cream.
Also one day we will climb Vihren peak ( 2914m) or 7 Rila lakes Mountain. Bringing a comfortable back pack is a MUST as we will have to carry our own food and water . Also if you have any climbing shoes bring them along – the ones that keep some extra support on your uncles.
You can buy all these stuff in the town where the camp will be held but I would rather have you prepared when you get there so as you can be focused on your training sessions.
The second training session will be in the gym so make sure you bring your GI as well. Shin pads, gloves and your resistant band are also recommendable. If you have a groin cup and a mouth guard you can bring it as well as we will have some boxing and kick boxing training sessions, too!
Dont forget to get your Travel Insurance as the camp DOES NOT cover it. We are humans and everything can happen – lose your valuables or getting injured during training or mountain hike so you better get your travel insurance and be safe than sorry, right!
Your bank provides travel insurance and costs no more than £15 per months ( you can get one and then cancel it as soon as you get back from the camp)
Next week our very own EMAR team T-shirts are finally arriving and if interested you can purchase yours for the outdoor trainings and the mountain hike. This week I am flying to Bulgaria to finalize details about the camp and also I will have a meeting with the chef that will cook for us. I have to give him a menu with our food preference. I will try to make it as healthy as possible, but as I said if someone has any specific food requirements please do let me know and we will consider that.
Also if any of you has any medical conditions, allergies or injuries please let me know in private to consider that! I know that many of you, including me, have old or new injuries from trainings or outside dojo and I strongly believe that the camp will help you heal as we will go to many natural healing mud baths and natural mineral water springs.
I am arriving a day earlier and I will be waiting with our private transport and some snacks and cold water outside the airport when you arrive. You have all seen me before so it will be easy to recognize me :
Regarding your baggage allowance with Easyjet or Ryanair. Make sure you read their requirements carefully. They don’t mention anything about the cabin bag weight but only about the size of it. Make sure that your cabin bag matches that size requirements because paying for an excessive luggage costs a fortune
If you guys have any questions or if you are not sure about anything just let me know.
As the camp approaches I will keep posting more details. It is trully a great camp and a life changing experience!
Airline tickets to buy:
outbound: 23rd of August (Wednesday) departing from London Stansted with
Ryanair at 06:30 arriving in Sofia, Bulgaria at 11:40
inbound: 30th of August (Wednesday) departing from Sofia, Bulgaria at 12:05 with
Ryanair and arriving to London Stansted at 13:20
Current ticket price return stands at £196, which is not bad at all. I dont personally recommend to buy extra luggage as I dont think you need it but its up to you.
NOTE: Total fee for camp of £380 must be collected in full by end of July.
