Who can study Karate?

Karate is suitable for anyone, male or female, child or adult.  It is usually recommended that children are over 6 years, as there is a level of concentration required which younger children may not be able to sustain, but students can continue to train up to 60 years and beyond.  It is particularly suitable for women, as it teaches techniques of self-defence.

What do I wear?

For the first few lessons, students can wear any suitable loose clothing, such as jogging bottoms and a t-shirt.  However, after a few weeks, students are expected to wear a gi (uniform) consisting of trousers and jacket, with a coloured belt indicating their level of training. 

As students progress, they also require sparring gloves and may need some additional protective clothing, such as leg and groin guards.

How long will it take for me to achieve a black belt?

There are some karate clubs that claim to be able to award black belts in two years.  However, Goxhill Karate Club is affiliated to Shito-Ryu Shukokai Union (SSU) which has a strict minimum training schedule and attendance requirement.  There are no quick fixes in the study of karate.  You get back what you put in, so if you are prepared to train 2-3 times per week, and practise in between, a black belt can be achieved in 3-4 years.  However, it will normally take about 5 years to achieve 1st Dan level.

What about safety?

Instructor Paul Howson and Assistant Instructor John Gouldthorpe, both hold current First Aid certifcates, Instructor's Certificates and are CRB cleared to work with children. This also extends to Tony Grainger and Steve Beveridge who are visiting instructors.  The vast majority of training sessions involve no physical contact with anyone else.  Students must learn control before being allowed to take part in any one to one sparring.  When practising Kumite (fighting), an instructor is always present to referee and will stop the sparring if students are getting carried away!  The worst you can expect is a few bruises.