The absolutes is where they remove weight restriction so all competitors in that bracket compete against each other. As it turned out, George had to compete against a heavy and ultra heavy weight competitor to win his bracket. Posted above  is the last match in where he won using the mata leo (the lion killer).

 

 

 

 

 

 This last Saturday we hosted a parents night out/water balloon mania.  We started with a few water balloon games, such as the water balloon toss, dodge ball, and a small water fight. After eating some pizza, we brought the fun inside. We played more games that was nonstop for the rest of the evening.

Brian “The White Knight” Smith won his professional mixed martial arts debut on July 3^rd, 2009 at Earl Warren Fairgrounds in Santa Barbara. He fought a fellow debuter, a spirited Rex Penn from Ventura.

Brian came out ultra aggressive and confident. As soon as the match started, he rushed to his opponent opening up with hard and fast punching combinations. The strategy paid off as his opponent went down 38 sec into the very first round giving Bryan Smith his first ko victory.

Brian trains under Luke Riddering from Pit North in Atascadero where he is also an instructor. Pit North teaches students of all ages and levels, the basics of realistic self defense.

No kids classes or Adult Hawaiian Kempo July 6th-10th.

All kids and adult belt classes will resume on Monday, July 13th.

North County Community Event. July 18th 9a.m.—1p.m. in The Home Depot Parking lot.

We will be a guest vendor at this event. We would love to use all of you for some awesome demos! Kids, this is an easy way to earn some summer points!

Water balloon Mania/Parents Night out. August 1st from 5-9 P.M.

To honor the summer heat, we will be cooling our selves off with a parents night out. The evening will start with water games and BBQ hotdog dinners. Please bring a change of clothes! Sign up early to receive a discount. (Event subject to cancellation. )

Pit Sleep Over!! August 22nd from 6:00p.m.-8:30 a.m.

Back by popular demand, it’s our annual sleep over! Games + dinner + pit project + movie = crazy fun! Sign up early to receive discounted rate. (event subject to cancellation. )

No class Labor Day September 7th

Stranger Danger Seminar ages 3-6. September 5th 12-12:45.

Equip your child with important lessons regarding stranger awareness. This is a great FREE seminar to invite friends and neighbors to. Sign up in the office today.

Pit Park Work Outs

September 21st and 22nd we will be doing a Pit Park Work out during the regularly scheduled class.

Mark Riddering, an energetic Santa Maria police officer, could easily have become bitter when he was diagnosed with a terminal degenerative disease, said the Rev. Joshua Martin on Tuesday.

Instead, Riddering became a wise encourager, urging others to focus on what really matters in life, Martin said.

Riddering died Thanksgiving Day after a 13-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, and he was remembered Tuesday at his funeral at First Christian Church in Santa Maria as a devoted Christian, a loving family man and a distinguished police officer.

Riddering, 53, of Nipomo, worked for the Santa Maria Police Department from 1989 to 1998, taking a medical retirement in 1998 as a corporal.

The church was nearly full for his memorial service, which he helped plan.

Riddering had selected the song sung by Chris Ganas – “The Blessing in the Thorn” – and Martin said that Riddering had requested that those in attendance “sing vigorously” the hymn “How Great Thou Art.”

In keeping with his wishes, mourners rose to their feet and belted out the words, some with eyes closed and others with hands raised.

Lt. Chris Vaughan, a Santa Maria police colleague and longtime friend, said Riddering was a highly distinguished officer, who was acknowledged throughout the state for his work battling narcotics in the city.

“Mark Riddering is the best police officer I have ever known,” he said.

Riddering continued to work as a police officer after his diagnosis with ALS.

When the disease prevented him from writing with his right hand, Riddering taught himself to write with his left hand, Vaughan said.

Riddering was one of the Santa Maria Police Department’s first two Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) officers.

The agency has established the Mark Riddering Award for the top narcotics officer, and a street in Santa Maria bears his name.

More importantly than his police work, Riddering was a family man, Vaughan said.

He said that Riddering recently celebrated his 33rd wedding anniversary with his wife, Sue, who never left his side throughout his illness. The couple have four children, and four grandchildren including a grandson named Mark.

“Mark and Sue both possessed a rare gift of true hospitality,” Vaughan said, adding that Riddering always drew crowds around him at parties.

“He would always talk about other people more than himself,” Vaughan said.

Martin said, “Mark Riddering was an amazing man who impacted so many of us today.”

Following the service in the church, those in attendance walked behind the hearse carrying Riddering’s American flag-draped casket across the street to Santa Maria Cemetery for interment.

December 3, 2008

Congratulations to all our students that received their next belt. You have all worked hard and deserve this promotion! Be sure to check out our Pit North newsletter that features special events of last and next quarter.

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EliteXC featured another exciting night of MMA at the Chumash Casino on September 26^th, 2008. The production, which was shown on the Showtime network, featured some local fighters. The Pit fighter Luke Riddering from Atascadero faced off against John Corstophone.

As the fight started, it was John that initiated the action by attempting a takedown. Much to his credit, he persistently persuade the takedown for 2 whole minutes in the opening of the fight. However, Riddering’s defense proved too much for his opponent to deal with as he was eventually able to reverse the situation and ended up on top. Landing vicious elbows and punches, the referee was forced to stop the action at 3:44 of the opening round. This win moves Riddering’s record to 2-0 with 2 tko victories. Be sure to watch Luke Riddering make headway in the 170 lb division in the future

Luke Riddering trains, teaches, and operates Pit North in Atascadero. Pit North offers classes for all ages, goals, and capabilities. Whether you want to compete, learn practical self defense, or just get in shape, Pit North has a program for you.

Pit North will be hosting it’s first ever Kick-a-thin on September 20th. The event is open to the public. By participating in or attending the event, you will help raise funds for children of the world who are stricken with diseases like cancer, AIDS, and Sickle Cell Anemia.

St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Founded by the late entertainer, Danny Thomas, and based in Memphis, Tennessee, St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. No family ever pays for treatments not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fund raising organization, through events such as Martial Arts for St. Jude.

Participants will kick their max for one minute. Each participate will have a “counter” to keep tract or count of each kick thrown. The sponsors have the option donating a certain amount for each kick or just contributing one sum amount.

If you are interesting in participating or sponsoring a “kicker”, or just donating to St. Jude drop in Pit North or contact one of the lines below.

Date:

September 20th, 2008. 12 P.M.

Place:

Pit North

3230 El Camino Real

Atascadero, CA 93422

Contact

1-805-466-1414

Pitnorth@hotmail.com

For more information about St. Jude Hospital, visit their website:

www.stjude.org/