British Wadokai (Southwest)

Plymouth Schools of British Wadokai Karate

Serving Communities with Authentic, Original and Traditional Wadoryu Karate Ju-Jutsu of the British Wado Kai Karate-do Federation since 1976

Welcome to British Wadokai Southwest and the Plymouth Schools of Traditional Wado Karate.

"Preserving the Original & Traditional!"

Looking for a traditional karate club?

British Wadokai and the Plymouth Schools of Karate are friendly traditional Wado Karate associations training in authentic and traditional British Wadokai Karate, self-defence, traditional wadoryu competition, fitness and self-improvement in the South and South West of England.

Wado Karate is one of the most popular styles of Karate with well over 1,500,000 registered members world-wide.

The British Wadokai England Headquarters (Honbu).
The Pomphlett Karate Club is the Honbu of British Wadokai and is under the direct guidance of Gary Swift Kyoshi 7th Dan (a member of the Japanese Karate Federation JKF-Wadokai).

Authentic British Wadokai Karate as Practised Since 1963.

Plymouth Schools of Karate are a friendly Wado Karate group training in authentic and traditional British Wadokai
Karate, Ju-Jutsu, self-defence, fitness and self-improvement in Plymouth and the South West of England.

All are welcome; beginners as well as experienced. Men - Women - Children - Families!

Each student will be worthy of his grade as we reward those who work hard for their success - we do not 'give away' grades like so many of the modern, commercially-motivated and sport-karate orientated systems around today.

Although children are permitted to attend many of our training sessions they must understand that they may be training with (and will be required to behave like) adults at all times. What you will be learning is authentic and traditional Wadoryu Karate, not a Commercial or Sport Karate system - The syllabus we teach is not 'made-up along the way', it's the 'original'.

Parents are also invited to train with their children.

The benefits of Wado Karate training include:

1. Self-Defence & Confidence.
2. Self Discipline.
3. Co-ordination & Concentration.
4. Focus of Mind and Body.
5. Respect for Self and Others.
6. Improve Health & Fitness.

Karate should not be expensive (see FAQs for details). Our Karate suits are £10.95, which INCLUDES a belt and club badge. Promotional gradings are £15, which INCLUDES new belt and certificate. If you are not sure whether Karate is for you then why not come along for a couple of classes to try? Remember, your first lesson is FREE!

Our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) page may help also answer many of your questions.

British Wadokai has foundations that were established in 1973, therefore, the direct unbroken lineage of British Wadokai and the Plymouth Schools of Karate extends over many years.

The karate of British Wadokai has remained virtually unchanged since the first introduction of Wado into the UK by Tatsuo Suzuki 8th Dan Hanshi in 1963. Two years later, in 1965, Tatsuo Suzuki Hanshi returned permanently to teach Wado karate in England and also to set up his European Headquarters (this is the basis and foundation of British Wadokai). We have been around for a very long time.

Wadoryu Karate was created as an effective form of self-defence, as it comprises of both traditional Okinawan Karate (To-de/Shuri-te) and Japanese Shindo Yoshin-ryu Ju-Jutsu. The original name registered in 1938 for Wadoryu was Shinshu Wadō-ryū Karate-Jūjutsu.

All Wado Tai-Sabaki (wado karate technique and movement), which was introduced into the UK Wado syllabus in 1965, has remained in the syllabus today, including Sanbon-gumite (three-step sparring), Ohyo-gumite (semi-free sparring), and Kihon-gumite (fundamental sparring), Kata (form), etc. All these aspects are also taught and promoted strongly within all British Wadokai Dojo and through our regular Standardisation Courses held in the south of England.

For the most able and committed there is the chance to join the BWK-Squad and to progress through to the British Wadokai Kata and Kumite squads to compete nationally and even internationally in traditional Wadoryu Karate Competitions.

Sensei Gary Swift Kyoshi holds:
1. Enhanced CRB Certification.
2. Club and Instructor Insurance.
3. Valid Designated First Aid Certification.
4. Dan Grade Registration through the British Wado Federation and International Wado Federations as 7th Dan.
5. Chief Instructor Coaching Accreditation Award.
6. Japanese Karate Federation (JKF-Wadokai) Membership.

Gary Swift Kyoshi has been active in martial arts since 1966.

For training Information, please visit our Club Pages.

The Plymouth Schools of Karate also forms part of the Devon & Cornwall Wadoryu Karate Union, known as Wadokai Southwest.

Training Course with Yoshitsugu Shinohara 8th Dan Shihan

Kenshindoryu Summer Course on 23rd & 24th June 2012. Further details see our 'Dates Page' or visit: www.kenshindoryu.co.uk

All British Wadokai Members Welcome!

British Wadokai Event Posters.

2012

2013

2014

Please click onto poster to enlarge.

Check out the Clubs List to see if there is a club near you!

British Wadokai is a group of professionally run Karate Schools not a commercially-motivated or profit-based karate business.

British Wadokai has been responsible for raising thousands of pounds for local, national and international charities.
From Live Aid back in 1985, including British Wadokai's own 'Break for Charity!', to various charities today.
Charities supported by British Wadokai have included SelterBox, Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (REME), Red Cross, Dame Vera Lynn's Trust (Children's Cerebral Palsy), Barnardo's, naming just a few!