Westcroft Karate Club

Westcroft Kyokushin Karate is a martial arts club that has been running for over 40 years in Carshalton, Surrey. Our dojo is located at the Westcroft Leisure Centre, where we train every Thursday, and we also run an additional class for adults at Tweeddale School.

Our Team

Our instructors are highly experienced and certified by the British Karate Kyokushinkai (BKK). Our Chief Instructor is Shihan Paul Baker, a 6th Dan, who is assisted by Sensei Giuseppe Morreale, a 4th Dan, Sensei Emma Markwell, a 4th Dan, and Sensei Ather Sharif, a 3rd Dan. All our instructors are DBS checked and licensed to the BKK.

Beginners Welcome

We welcome students of all ages and abilities, and our classes are designed to cater to beginners. Our classes are structured to gradually introduce you to the skills and techniques needed to train in Kyokushin Karate. We have junior classes for students aged 7-14, and senior classes for adults. If you're new to karate, you don't need to worry - we're a friendly club, and we'll guide you through the learning process.

Training Sessions

We offer regular training sessions for both juniors and seniors. Our training sessions are designed to improve both your physical and mental abilities. You'll learn various karate techniques, including punching, kicking, and defensive moves. You'll also learn how to spar and develop your skills in bag work and callisthenics.

Gradings

We hold gradings several times a year, but you'll need to demonstrate your skills and mastery of techniques before being eligible for a grading. If you're due to take a grading, make sure you have a current BKK licence and wear a karate Gi (uniform). We also offer a grading syllabus that provides an overview of Kyokushinkai Karate and the techniques required for each grading.

Dojo Etiquette

We take pride in maintaining a respectful and disciplined atmosphere in our dojo. We expect students to behave in a disciplined manner and observe our rules of dojo etiquette. Here are some important tips to keep in mind:

• When entering or leaving the dojo, bow and say 'Osu!'
• Address Dan-graded instructors with their titles (Hanshi, Shihan, Sensei, Senpai)
• Keep nails short and feet clean to prevent injury
• Hair should be tied back in a soft hair band and not metal clips
• Soft contact lenses can be worn, but at the wearer's risk
• Karate Gi (uniform) should be washed and ironed before training
• Belts should never be washed, as they symbolize the effort you've put into your training
• If you're late for a training session, wait in seiza at the back of the class until acknowledged by the senior instructor
• If you're planning to be absent from training for an extended period, inform the senior instructor

Contact

For more information about our classes, training sessions, or gradings, feel free to contact us. We look forward to welcoming you to our dojo!