Karl Kaufmann

Ranked for many years in the top handful of South African fencers, Karl has represented South Africa at World Championships and the All Africa Games, as well as fencing for North Section Scotland. Karl was also involved in coaching a Scottish junior Commonwealth silver medallist winner and a junior South African foilist who represented SA at international levels including World Champs. A keen martial artist, Karl was recently appointed as a trainee Sooyang Do instructor. Karl gives up his free time to instruct youngsters in this martial art. He's also a regular (and effectively unorthodox!) squash player. Karl is one of the most gentle and supportive people I have ever known. He worked as a counsellor for the Crisis Centre in Johannesburg, one of the most crime-ridden cities in the world. Karl was recently awarded his Master Reiki practitioner qualification and is an instinctive healer, regularly giving up his own time for people who need help. With a counselling background, Karl has used the last year to study extensively in the area of complementary therapies: hypnotherapy, Reiki, NLP. He is a great believer in the power of the universe, and a great supporter of people to be the best they can be. Karl uses a wicked sense of humour to encourage people. I have a terror of heights and he encouraged me last year to abseil from the Forth Bridge in Edinburgh. In his words, 'Long way to fall. Why do they even bother giving you a helmet?' Thanks, Karl!