Karate lessons in Aldershot,Guildford, Haslemere, Farnham
Our two club instructors have 70 years+ training & coaching experience
We run traditional karate classes, with a friendly atmosphere for all students to enjoy. Grading’s are conducted regularly at the clubs & we cover a wide range of abilities. We also offer our services to schools, colleges and educational establishments, as well as private lessons.
The clubs run classes five times a week and with the additional courses on offer, it is possible for our students to have the chance to be training most days of the week. As a member of the clubs, we hope you will become part of our ‘family’ & we always welcome new & keen students. The emphasis in the classes is about developing the quality and character of student, through an understanding of the technical aspects of Wado-Ryu karate.
Who We Teach
Beginners
The first lesson can be the hardest part for any person who wants to study a martial art. There can be a variety of fear factors which can prevent someone from going along and having a try, but everyone is given the same courtesy and chance to develop as anyone else within our classes.
Beginners will always be made to feel welcome and whilst it’s nice to turn up with a friend at your first lesson, you should feel equally as comfortable if you come on your own.
Kids Classes
Our emphasis at the kids clubs is on teaching them traditional karate in a fun and safe environment, under the supervision of our qualified instructors. We want to ensure that they have fun and enjoy the many benefits karate offers.
Our structured grading syllabus is designed specifically to ensure they are continually striving towards new goals. The minimum age for the children is 6 years old.
Ladies karate
Over 40% of our students are female, so our karate classes are an activity that women of all ages can enjoy safely. Studying a martial art can help them understand how to protect themselves and is very practical for women and girls of all ages for self-defence.
What’s more, an average session can burn as many calories as a keep fit workout or circuit’s class and is also great for reducing stress and tension, when hitting the bags or pads!
Our Instructors
M. Shiomitsu
Sensei 9th Dan Hanshi (Chief instructor)
Sensei M. Shiomitsu began his study of karate when 15 years old and in 1959 he entered Nihon University, becoming a member of the famous university Wado-Ryu karate club. He quickly adapted to the punishing karate lessons and became known for his dynamic & technically exceptional kicking ability. He was soon officially appointed captain of the university team & was graded for 4th Dan in 1964. In 1989 he founded the Wado Academy & was awarded 9th Dan in 2006.
Corin Pegden
Guildford, Farnham & Haslemere
Corin began his Wado karate training in 1986 and has been training ever since. He attained 1st Dan black belt in 1993 & 2nd Dan in 1998. Spending 14 years with his local Wado-kai clubs, he then found a Wado Academy course in Guildford. He was so impressed with the standard of instruction, and depth of knowledge of the instructors that he joined the Wado Academy, grading for 3rd Dan in 2007 and 4th Dan in 2018, in front of a panel including Shiomitsu Sensei and Wado Grandmaster H. Ohtsuka 3rd.
Brigadier Graham Hopkins
Aldershot
Graham began his karate training in 1975 with the UK Karate-do Wadokai, when looking for another physical activity after stopping rugby. He has been both the President of the Army Martial Arts Association & was the founder chairman of the Combat Services Martial Arts Association. He attained 6th Dan in 2015 and says Sensei Shiomitsu Hanshi has been the biggest influence on him; never satisfied but continually trying to improve himself, and is a first class and excellent example for us all.
Club history & background
The clubs have been established for over 30 years and we have grown from our original venue in Aldershot, to four other venues across north Hampshire and Surrey. Our newest venue at Guildford is opening on Thursday 7th September, 2017. We are affiliated to the Wado-Ryu Karate do Renmei in Japan and our students are able to regularly train under Hironori Otsuka, 3rd Grandmaster of Wado-Ryu.
The training at the classes is an on-going process, just as any karate training should be and no two lessons are the same. Grading is all part of the training and the student will mainly be able to grade within the club environment and this helps them monitor their steady progress.
Through this continuous progression of study and effort, you will start to reap the physical and personal benefits that Wado-Ryu karate can give you.
We also teach in local schools, as part of extra curricular or after school classes. We also offer students the chance to train privately, either in their choice of venue, or facilities that we own. Please contact us for details or to discuss further.