Discovery Bay Dojo
Why should your child join the Karate club? Confidence is something that he developed in the Martial Arts and uses every day of his life. When a child has the courage to overcome obstacles, success naturally follows. Martial Arts teaches’ children how to gain control of their minds, bodies and emotions. Give your child an edge in life...Karate - the gift that lasts a lifetime.
The physical benefits of Martial Arts are obvious - you can see the changes in the mirror. The mental benefits, perhaps even more important, can be “seen” in your attitude, behavior, and character. When you look great, you feel great...Resulting in a level of confidence that makes you unstoppable. The Karate Instructors
Sensei Andy Kendall is the chief instructor at the Discovery Bay Karate Club and received his Forth Degree Black Belt (Yondan) in 1996 from the Shotokan Karate International Federation’s world famous Master, Hirokazu Kanazawa 10th Dan. Andy is also a former member of the Japan Karate Association receiving his first Black Belt in 1986 from Master Keinosuke Enoeda 9th Dan at Crystal Palace in London. He was a member of the Karate Union of Great Britain and the British Army Karate team winning many tournaments in the UK, Europe and Asia. He retired from competition after the SKIF World Championships in Bali 2000 where he represented Hong Kong and also completed his popular examination manual under the guidance of Master Kanazawa which was published a few months earlier. Andy founded the Discovery Bay Karate club in 1994 of which the club has now grown to well over 100 students.
Third Degree Black belt Sensei, Zenny Kendall was also awarded her grade from Master Kanazawa. Her fighting spirit and dedication to the art won her the Kanazawa Cup in 1998 and was a member of the SKIF Hong Kong Karate team at the world Championships in Bali 2000. Zenny has been teaching karate for over 10-years and specializes in children beginners and intermediate plus adult Ladies of all levels. She is also a Kick-box aerobics instructor, Yoga teacher (RYT) and Personal trainer (CPFT).
The club also has 4-Student Instructors all trained from white belt to black belt and assist in all classes taught at the club:
Sean Lai 2-Dan (Senior Student Instructor)
Pierce Lai 2-Dan (Student Instructor)
Richard Li 1-Dan (Student Assistant Instructor)
Micah Sandt 1-Dan (Student Assistant instructor)
Who can learn Karate? People of all ages and abilities are able to practice Karate. Our kids classes welcome boys and girls from as young as 6. Adult Ladies are taught separately with classes catering for all ages starting about 16. Private and small group lessons are also available when required.
What do you need? Enthusiasm and a willingness to learn! We will do the rest. Some loose clothing is required for your first few lessons then you can be measured and fitted with your first Gi (Karate suit). You will need the karate manual/book which tells you everything else you need to know. What can you expect? The first few classes might feel a bit strange as you are introduced to new skills and some Japanese terminology! Afterwards you may experience a little stiffness in your muscles as you would with any new exercise routine.
Within a few short weeks you should notice an increase in your level of fitness balance and coordination! By this time you will be starting to understand why Karate has so much to offer and hopefully get "the bug" like so many of us who have gained so much from Karate for many years!
What is expected of you? Simply that you try hard and train regularly with a strong and positive attitude. Don’t play around in the class, always dress smartly in your karate uniform and listen to the instructions given!
What happens on the 5th Friday of the month? If there are five Fridays in a month then the last Friday of that month will be a holiday (i.e. there are five Fridays in August 2007 so the is no class on 31st).
How do I join? Come along have a go with the other students and see how you like it with no obligation to join and no charge if you change your mind after the introductory class (Friday 5-6pm at the Resident’s Club on the first Friday of the month). This class gives you a feel for the structure of a lesson and helps acclimatize you to the correct etiquette. If you decide to come back for a second lesson then you must fill out the application form at the club reception. Be reminded that if you come back you will be charged for the whole month (4-sessions) whether you show up for the rest of the month or not.
Progression Classes?
The classes are broken down into 4-sections (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced and Teenage / Assistant Instructor levels). Once a student has passed all the requirements for one class he/she will be promoted to the next by way of a coloured belt grading system a. Children’s Beginners Class: Open to all beginners from 5-years up (White belt and Orange belts) and is taken at the Resident’s Club Dance Studio at 5-6pm every Friday. b. Children’s Intermediate Class: Open to all intermediate students (Red, Yellow, Green Blue and advanced Blue belts) This is the main karate class and is taken in Club Siena Dance Studio at 5:20-6:20pm every Thursday. c. Children’s Advanced Class: Open to advanced students (3rd, 2nd, & 1st level Brown belts) and is taken at the Resident’s Club Dance Studio at 6-7pm every Friday. d. Teenagers and Assistant Instructors Class: Open to teenagers that are too big for the beginners and intermediate classes (Teenagers of all levels and Black belts) and is taken at the Resident’s Club Dance Studio at 7-8pm every Friday. e. Ladies Karate Class: Open to all levels from ages 16-years up and is taken by the Chief instructor at the Resident’s Club Dance Studio at 9:15-10:30am every Wednesday.
Fee All Children’s classes cost HK$350 per month (4-sessions per month) Ladies Classes cost $450 per month (4-sessions per month)
Note: Please note that the monthly lesson fees will be automatically charged to your DBRC account once you have completed the application form.
How do I order a uniform? Karate uniforms, badges and coloured belts etc can be ordered directly from the instructors once the student is sure that he/she wishes to continue after the first month of training.
Price List: Children’s Uniform (size 000 – 170) = $350 * Teenager Uniform (size 180 – 210) = $450 Heavy duty Uniform (All sizes) = $750 Instructor Uniforms (Made in Japan) = $1,250+ Dojo T-Shirt = $120 Association Badge = $75 * Karate arm Badge = $50 * Coloured Belts = $75 Embroidered Brown Belt = $150 Embroidered Black Belts (Made in Japan) = $450+
Karate training manual/Grading book = $275 * DVD for each grade by Sensei A. Kendall = $100 each
How does the Belt/Exam system work? Junior grading examinations are taken whenever the student reaches the required standard set out in the training manual and DVD. The system works on a stripe basis i.e. there are 3 main areas to be tested (Kihon-Basic movements, Kata-Formal Exercise and Kumite-prearranged fighting techniques) so there are 3 stripes to be achieved before a mock examination may be taken. If the student passes the mock exam then he/she will be told to bring the examination fee to the next class where the Chief instructor will take grading tests (The fee for the junior grade examination is only $100. The belt when needed is free unless it is lost).
How does the Exam system work for Adults? For the Ladies (adult) class the grading system follows a different format. There are no stripes for areas passed and the grading exams are formal events taken quarterly with all students taking the exam on the same day.
Do you need more information? Contact our Chief Instructor, Andy Kendall 4-Dan on: (Mobile) 61920492 (Reception) 29877381/2 or by email on: [email protected]