Summer 2008 Training Dates

These are the dates that the club will be closed over the summer holiday period.

Peel Shukokai instructors Mike Tucker and Barrie Hurst.

Broadly speaking, Karate is the ancient system of the training of mind and body to act in harmony and thereby generate a devastating system of the action and responses used in unarmed combat. The style of Karate we teach is called "SHUKOKAI" and it is one of the three most practised styles in the country, it derives from the earliest formal disciplines generated on the Japanese island of Okinawa.

Why take up karate, what's in it for you?

• Fitness Training
• Self Defence
• Discipline Training
• Self-control
• Self-confidence

Your instructors at Peel Shukokai Karate are Mike Tucker; 4th Dan black belt (right) and Barrie Hurst; 2nd Dan black belt (left). Mike is a Karate England (2005) Ltd. qualified karate coach, R.S.K.A. qualified senior instructor and grading instructor. Barrie is a R.S.K.A. qualified instructor.

Beginners of all ages are welcome!

I'd like to start lessons, what do I need?

Whilst we say that 'all ages' are welcome, clearly the activities are unsuitable for very young children and we ask that children must at least have started at school. Karate is a potentially dangerous physical contact sport and all participants, for their own safety and everyone else in the class, must be able to listen carefully to - and follow - instruction and comprehend their responsibility to others in the class to keep everyone safe. They must be able to understand restraint is required and be self-disciplined enough to undertake the classes safely.

If your child is mature enough to accept these reponsibilites, they will be very welcome. Karate has a lot to offer young and old and our classes are a very varied mix of people. Having said that, great efforts are taken to ensure ability and physical strength are carefully matched during exercises.

Whilst safety is paramount, fun is too and we work hard to ensure that kids especially enjoy classes and find it rewarding, the simply won't stick with it if they don't enjoy it. We celebrate improvement and try to ensure that each participant gets some 1 to 1 or small group tuition each lesson, so that they know their progress is being carefully monitored and they feel encouraged to continue their hard work.

Whilst longer term if you want to continue with classes, there will be some outlay for a karate suit (gi) and a licence (we can organise all of these for you), initially, all you will need is to turn up, with something comfortable to wear that allows free movement, like a t-shirt and jogging bottoms and a drink of water. Be aware that all karate is done in bare feet. Fees for classes for non-members start at £3.60 per lesson.

Peel Shukokai at work:

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Peel Shukokai Karate (established in Ramsbottom in 1994) is a member of the RISING SUN KARATE ASSOCIATION, (established in 1973) and are members of Karate England (2005) Ltd, the Official Governing Body for the Sport. Recognised by SportEngland.

Through effort, application and physical and mental training, we can all learn and enjoy self discipline, endurance and self-confidence, but remember; you can only expect to gain from Karate what you yourself are prepared to put in.