KIDS GET KICK OUT OF KARATE IN PLANO FESTIVAL SHOW - The Beacon News - Aurora (IL)

PLANO -- Rain put a bit of a damper on Saturday's festivities for Plano Hometown Days.The 'Swing' ride, which for this weekend dominates the view down Main Street, was motionless most of the afternoon.

Bored game vendors glanced down sparsely populated walkways, hoping for just one customer.

Even Fred Baldridge, owner of the tremendously popular 'Trampoline Thing', had little to do but stand around.

One event that wasn't a wash was the Fox Valley YMCA Karate demonstration. Fourteen kids and one adult braved the ominous sky to put on a well-organized demonstration.

'Mostly we show what the kids have learned; like self-defense training, rolls, break-falls and weapons,' said Bob Furr, karate instructor at the YMCA.

Much of their knowledge is incorporated into 'katas', or choreographed fights.

These are specific routines which simulate battle with any number of opponents.

'It helps in learning the techniques and they put these techniques to use in actual fighting,' Furr said.

Each demonstration begins and ends with a bow.

'We use it to show respect to the opponents, to the instructors and the audience,' said Furr.

'Anytime you don't show respect it's good for a kick in the teeth,' he laughed.

Furr said the popularity of karate has skyrocketed since he first joined in 1979. The second degree black belt said there were only four people in his first class.

Last fall, 65 kids signed up for karate at the Fox Valley YMCA and other schools have cropped up in neighboring towns, he said.

Thirteen-year-old Kyle Blair of Big Rock hopes to have a karate school of his own one day.

He joined the sport 3 1/2 years ago with prodding from his father.

'My Dad told me it would help with discipline and physical fitness,' said Blair.

'Plus I was getting picked on a little bit.'

Blair has used self-defense techniques, like arm and wrist locks, on some bothersome boys.

He said they leave him alone now.

'I think they're getting too scared to pick on me,' he said.

Terrie Erwin signed up her 6-year-old son, Nick, for beginner karate last fall.

She said her son was nervous about the demonstration, but loved the class.

'He's been learning a lot,' said Erwin.

'He wants to come home and practice on his sisters now.'

Nick's 9-year-old sister, Brandy, said he's become a lot stronger since joining the sport.

She said Nick's still no match for her but now he can occasionally do some damage.

'He hurt me today,' she said, half surprised.

Kyle Blair demonstrates his skill with a stick weapon during a demonstration by the academy of Martial arts from the Fox Valley YMCA Saturday afternoon at the Plano Hometown Days.