PHOTOS: WPD, Rotary partner to offer free self-defense course

The Windermere Police Department and the Rotary Club of Windermere partnered to sponsor a free self-defense course Thursday, Aug. 1, at Town Hall.

Through the class, more than 30 participants learned various techniques to build situational awareness and confidence through course instruction provided by WPD Chief Dave Ogden and professors from Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Martial Arts in Clermont.

Ogden said the goal of the course is to educate participants and enhance their safety awareness through discussions on mental, physical and physiological responses that occur during crisis events and how to overcome these challenges.

“Participants learned how to enhance their situational awareness using various tools and techniques to manage stressful situations,” he said. “This includes, but is not limited to, combat breathing techniques and the concept that we look with our eyes, but we see with our brains. We also emphasized the importance of planning for crisis events. In addition, we explored natural human instincts, such as the gift of fear, and how to use gut feelings, intuition and your visual observations to protect oneself in advance. All of this knowledge was integrated with hands-on self-defense techniques and skills designed to improve performance during challenging times.”

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

Although the WPD has offered similar classes in the past, it has been several years since the last session was held. Ogden has been conducting this class for more than 30 years, integrating his law-enforcement background with his martial arts experience.

Cyndi Hulin, leader of club service with Rotary who helped organize the event, was one of Ogden’s first black belts in karate about 20 years ago.  

“The idea for this event came from speaking with a friend whose daughter was going to college in the fall as a freshman,” she said. “She expressed concern for her safety awareness. Having attended previous courses taught by Dave (Ogden), we connected to collaborate on the event. We opened the course to anyone over 18 years of age, male or female, as self-defense and situational awareness is a skill everyone should have. The partnership isn’t as much between Windermere Rotary and WPD, as it is a community partnership as a whole. We have several organizations in Windermere all working for the same goals: to improve the lives of our neighbors and create a healthy and vibrant community. We can do more together when we collaborate on our efforts.”

Following the course, Hulin said she received a mass amount of texts and emails from attendees sharing their appreciation for the event, as well as commenting on how much they learned. 

Windermere resident Jocklyn Mundy found out about the course through a flyer and said she decided to participate because recently there have been situations in which she has felt uneasy.

“The biggest lesson I learned from the self-defense course is the importance of trusting my instincts and staying aware of my surroundings,” she said. “I am grateful that the Windermere Rotary, Chief Ogden and Gracie Barra Clermont put on an excellent program for the community."