Cairns Aikido Aiki Kai Freshwater Dojo is a renowned martial arts school located in Freshwater, Queensland, Australia. As part of the national network of Aiki Kai Australia dojos, it welcomes visitors and offers classes suitable for beginners. The dojo is led by Claudio Baschetti, a 1st Dan instructor, who can be contacted at 90 Old Smithfield Road, Freshwater, Qld 4870 or via email at aikidoandbudo@yahoo. Com.
Classes at Cairns Aikido Aiki Kai Freshwater Dojo are held on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. On Mondays and Wednesdays, there are two classes available: the junior class from 5:30 to 6:30 pm and the adult class from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Fridays offer an adult class from 6:30 to 8:00 pm, and Saturdays feature an adult class from 9:00 to 11:00 am. Malcolm Barrett is an additional contact and can be reached at 0470 473 109.
The dojo is located in the Freemason's Centre on the corner of a street.
Cairns Aikido Aiki Kai Freshwater Dojo is affiliated with Aiki Kai Australia, which is part of the National Aikido Association of Australia. The dojo has a strong connexion to the Aikikai Aikido tradition and is dedicated to promoting and teaching this martial art. Students have the opportunity to train with experienced instructors and benefit from the expertise of top-level practitioners.
The school also actively participates in national events. A notable example is the Aiki Kai Australia Summer School, which takes place in Launceston, Tasmania in January 2024. This six-day event offers numerous classes taught by senior instructors and includes a guest instructor, Steve Pimsler Shihan from Aiki Kai New York.
Cairns Aikido Aiki Kai Freshwater Dojo is proud of its students' achievements in international events as well. Luke Derham and Tom Mason represented Australia and Aiki Kai at the World Combat Games held in Riyadh in October 2023.
The dojo also values community engagement, as demonstrated by the recent appointment of Janice Marsh as the Area Representative for Western Australia. The school launched a national attendance app at Summer School in 2023, allowing students and dojos to log attendance and track training progress easily. Marie Petery Shihan has been appointed as the new National Area Representative, emphasising the importance of effective leadership within the organisation.
For those interested in exploring Aikido further, Cairns Aikido Aiki Kai Freshwater Dojo provides an introduction to Aikido through still images, illustrations, and videos demonstrating techniques. The school also offers a range of Aikido uniforms for those in need of training items, making it a one-stop-shop for Aikido enthusiasts in Australia.
Overall, Cairns Aikido Aiki Kai Freshwater Dojo is a welcoming and reputable martial arts school in Freshwater, Queensland, providing expert instruction in Aikido and fostering a sense of community among its students.