Combat: How does your Wing Chun differ from other Wing Chun practitioners?

G. McKenzie: Method of training application and as I've said 'fighting the man'. Some students wrongly believe that their 'chi sao' will safeguard them against anyone. This is dangerous and stupid - chi sao is a sensitivity drill not real fighting. Also the attacker might not know how to 'chi sao'. Spar with a boxer and see if his jabs linger in the air for you.

Combat: What 'method of training'?

G. McKenzie: In my schools, fitness and stamina are essential and often neglected aspects of fighting. My students have physical and equipment workouts - every lesson. We use heavy bags, speed balls and hook and jab aids. At a higher level, the hook and jab pads allow for a full power sparring session using the whole Wing Chun arsenal (elbows, knees, fingers etc.) This can not be done in 'Pak Sau' drills as control is needed to prevent serious injury. The hook and jab drill brings out a student's imagination and individual personality.

Combat: Are there limitations to Wing Chun?

G. McKenzie: For me Wing Chun is a complete martial art, only people's minds are closed. For them if something is done slightly different, then it isn't Wing Chun. Don't forget that Wing Chun is an expression of concepts. The concept of 'pure' Wing Chun is nonsense - the art has to adapt and change with the times.

Combat: What of the politics in Wing Chun, the claims to 'authenticity'?

G. McKenzie: These terms - 'pure', 'authentic', and 'traditional' are simply self serving labels to promote business and lend credibility. Does anyone really know the meaning of these words? My Wing Chun is geared towards combat and has been tried and tested countless tines - on the streets and in clubs. The point to all this is simple - does it work?

Combat: What are you up to at present?

G. McKenzie: Training hard, a lot of teaching, opening up new branches and grooming my senior students. I've been meeting a lot of other Wing Chun Sifus and exchanging ideas - something I rarely used to do, as I believe you should be concerned about your own standard, not other people's. The problem is the amount of politics in Wing Chun generally - too much time wasted arguing about words! We are all Kung Fu brothers! Unity is what's needed, on that I'd just like to add that I will be holding a joint seminar later this year in London with America's legendary James DeMile! 'Wing Chun across the waters....' But I'm sure you'll get all the details soon.

Combat: Thank you.

G. McKenzie: My pleasure, thank you.