Guildford Karate Club, located in Guildford, NZ, is a martial arts school dedicated to teaching traditional Karate. With a focus on practical and effective self-defence techniques, the club also emphasises self-discipline and mental focus. The club welcomes students of all levels, ranging from complete beginners to senior level Black Belts.
The Guildford Karate Club prides itself on providing a safe and friendly environment for students to achieve their goals. Whether you are looking to stay fit, learn self-defence, or simply have an exciting new hobby, the club offers classes that cater to a variety of needs.
Training sessions are held every Monday night, with separate classes for kids from 7-8pm and adults from 8-9pm. The first trial class is completely free, allowing potential students to experience the training before committing. After the trial class, the club operates on a pay-as-you-go basis, with kids classes costing 5 and adult classes costing 6.
The instructors at the Guildford Karate Club are all fully qualified Black Belts and have undergone DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks for the safety and security of their students. Sensei Barry Wilkinson, an 8th Dan black belt, is the founder of England Wado Kai and started practising Wado-Kai Karate in February 1968. He has been taught by esteemed masters of the style, including Master Toru Arakawa and Sensei Tatsuo Suzuki.
Gary, a 5th Dan black belt, has a deep understanding and appreciation of martial arts. He has competed at Association, National and International levels and has represented England Wado-Kai at European Championships. Jack, a 2nd Dan black belt, has been training at the Guildford Club since the age of 6 and is a multiple European champion in both Kata and Kumite.
The club follows a comprehensive syllabus that outlines the progression of training from beginner levels to advanced black belt ranks. There are eight Kyu levels, starting from 8th Kyu (Yellow Belt) and progressing to 1st Kyu (Senior Brown Belt). The club also offers Dan grades (Black Belts) for those who have achieved the necessary skill level and dedication.
In addition to regular training sessions, the Guildford Karate Club organises various courses and competitions throughout the year. These events provide opportunities for students to further improve their skills and test their abilities against other practitioners. Autumn and Winter courses are held at different locations, such as Woodmead Halls in Lyme Regis, Dorset, and Connaught Leisure Centre in Aldershot.
For more information or to get in touch with the Guildford Karate Club, interested individuals can leave a message on their Contact Us page or call Sensei Barry Wilkinson at 01252 310253. The club is committed to promoting the values and traditions of Wado-Kai Karate, which includes self-discipline, respect, and continuous self-improvement through dedicated training.