Whether you are looking to start training for fun, fitness or competition George has a good selection of local clubs and instructors.
Below is a list of clubs I have been in contact with. I can recommend any of them for quality instruction. Each club and instructor comes with much experience and good recommendations. Most instructors on this list have trained across many arts but each have chosen to settle with certain arts they prefer to teach. This list is not an exhaustive list of the clubs and instructors in George but this list will get you well on your way to find what you are looking for.
KARATE
The “Empty Hand”. Karate is great for building discipline and structure. Saying “empty hand” means just that, nothing is needed but your Karate teachings and bare hands for combat and self defence. Karate was developed as a means of self defence against armed and unarmed attackers. Karate works on a basis of perfecting each technique. This is done through focus, practice and discipline. The concept is that each punch, kick or block is done to the extent that it will be the final blow. Karate has a weapons offering named Kobudo. Karate is to the point with now extravagant movements. Sensei Mareon Ferndale will educate you on the details of Karate.
Karate-Zen Heather Park / Pacaltsdorp
Sensei: Mareon Ferndale
Offering: Karate Do classes, Self Defence, Sport Karate, Traditional Karate, Kobudo (Weapons)
Bio: “I’ve been doing Karate for the past 38 years. I am a 3rd Degree Black Belt. I am also a Karate South Africa Referee, and also the Chief Referee for Eden Karate. I have 2 Dojo ‘s in the George Area, (a) Pacaltsdorp Dojo, Classes on a Tuesday and a Thursday from 17H00 to 18H00.(b) Heather Park Dojo classes on a Monday and Wednesday from 15H00 till 18H00. Goju Ryu Karate.”
“I went to America in 1996 and 2000 for 3 weeks to sharpen up my Self Defence skills and weapons. I went to Egypt to train with the Egyptians to sharpen up my Kumite skills and learn a lot how to implement techniques on the floor to lift up our South African Standard.”
Contact: 0833411663
Email: mareonwp@gmail.com
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/groups/717779685248724
KRAV MAGA
Krav Maga was developed by the Isreal Defence Force as their military self defence and fighting system. The techniques are derived from a multitude of traditional arts. This system kept only the techniques that could be applied to life and death situations. Krav Maga practices real world situations, armed and unarmed. Due to its military background there will be exposure to firearm defense and knowledge. This art is very effective in self defence on the street.
Instructor Joe Geldenhuys offers Krav Maga as his primary art but also has classes in Kickboxing and MMA on request.
Krav Maga George
Instructor : Joe Geldenhuys
Offering: Krav Maga – Kickboxing – MMA
Bio: Started kickboxing at the age of 14
27 years’ experience
6 years’ amateur kickboxing fighting experience
8 years’ pro Mixed Martial Arts fighting experience
5th dan Kickboxing and Mixed Martial Arts instructor
Krav Maga Instructor, 8 years experience
“Currently more focused on Krav Maga, which is a self-defence style based on Israeli Defence Force’s Close Combat system”
Contact: 073 331 7005
E mail: joe@tigerkai.co.za
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kravmaga.george
Website: www.tigerkai.co.za
KICKBOXING – JIU JITSU– MMA
Kickboxing is one of the oldest arts out there as every one has the ability to punch and kick to some extent. This was defined when boxing was combined with the art of kicking. Kickboxing is done competitively, for self defence or general fitness. There are a few different methods of using kickboxing detailed by Shihan Sors Grobbelaar below.
Jiu Jitsu is a self defence system based on grappling. Originating in Japan and adopted by the brazilians. Jiu Jitsu gained international fame and recognition as one of the most effective grappling arts. In Jiu Jitsu physical size doesn’t matter but rather the experience level of the practitioner.
Mixed Martial Arts better known as MMA. This is exactly what it sounds like, a combination of different arts. MMA is the current leader as a combat sport when it comes to mastery of skill. Practitioners of MMA need to train and understand the complexity of standing and ground combat across all martial arts and combat systems. It is great fun to practice and holds many fitness and skill challenges.
Scorpions Martial Arts Academy – Brothers Combat Institute – Rio Grappling Club George
Shihan Sors Grobbelaar
Offering: Kickboxing – Jiu Jitsu– MMA
Bio: “I have been doing Kickboxing for 24 years now. Infact Scorpions Kickboxing Club (the name back then) was started in George by Shihan Martin Roothman in 1996 with his son, Martin Jr and myself as the very first students. I bought over the club in 2009 when Martin moved to Paarl and started introducing more Martial Arts to our students. I’m a 5th degree Blackbelt (graded November 2019 by Shihan Pat Carney, the President of the South African Kickboxing Association and WAKO representative for South Africa).”
“I have officially represented South Africa Internationally in 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017 & 2018 competing in Full Contact Kickboxing, K1, Low Kick & Tatami as well as being selected as a National Team Coach several times and the National Team Manager. I have been fighting professionally since 2011 and have done so nationally and internationally.”
Muaythai & MMA
“In 2010 I started my Muay Thai journey in Thailand and in 2011 I started competing in MMA. I achieved the ranking of Kru through SAAMF (South African Amateur Muay Thai Federation) in 2012. I have been fighting professionally since 2011 and have done so nationally and internationally. I competed in the EFC from 2012 and finished in 2016. In 2016 I also competed in LFS (Last Fighter Standing)
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
“In 2009 I started with BJJ under Gary King from Gracies Cape Town and achieved my Blue Belt in 2013. In 2015 our club joined the Rio Grappling Club under Professor Rico Hattingh, head of the Southern Region of South Africa and Professor Gary King, the BJJ Black belt we fall under. In December 2016 I received my Purple belt from Master Robeto Atalla (5th Degree Black Belt and Head of Rio Grappling Club) from Brazil, Professor Rico Hattingh & Professor Gary King and in November 2019 my Brown Belt.”
“On a personal note I am very fortunate to have my own family with me on this journey with my wife being one of my assistant instructors (she started in 2006) and both my daughters starting at the age of 4 years old. They are now 13 and 9 years old and have both won Regional, Provincial & National Championships since they started competing as well.I have been fortunate enough to train and be part of the lives of many Regional, Provincial, National & Intercontinental and World Champions as a Instructor.”
Contact: 082 589 1763
Email: info@scorpionsmaa.co.za
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/ScorpionsAcademy
Website: www.scorpionsmaa.co.za
TAEKWONDO – YONGMUDO
TaeKwondo is a korean martial arts form that specialises in kicking combined with optimal movement. The majority of the kicks are aimed at the head with lower kicks as set up strategies in the competitive setting. It’s a brilliant game of skill with any kick having the potential to stop your opponent at any time. These kicks are like a loaded gun, it only takes one to incapacitate your opponent. Then the secret weapon, the punch. Although underutilised in mainstream competition TaeKwondo punches are very effective and are applied with the same strategy as the kicking. TaeKwondo is great for fitness, flexibility and self defence.
Yongmudo is a modern hybrid form of Korean self defence art based on a combination of styles. Similar to MMA this takes great skill and dedication. You need to learn groundwork and standing combat. But Sabum Quinton Harman will elaborate on this when you contact him.
Quintin Harman’s Taekwondo
Sabum: Quintin Harman
Offering: Taekwondo and Yongmudo (only Korean Martial Arts)
The art and sport of Taekwondo, Self Defence. There are also fitness classes in the pipeline, as well as offering unarmed combat training to law enforcement/security.
Bio: “I’ve been training and teaching for 21 years, starting at age 22. I’ve qualified for the SA national team numerous times. I’ve travelled to South Korea 5 times for competition and specialised training and education in Korean Martial Arts. 2008 I opened my own Dojang, training students of all ages and ability, as well as athletes from many countries around the globe, some of them members of their own national teams. A personal move brought us back to George a year ago and I’m currently teaching here 3 days per week, also all ages.”
Contact: Cell: 083 458 5852
Email: martial.life@yahoo.com
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/qhtaekwondo
NINJUTSU
Ninjutsu was originally used for warfare and espionage by Japanese clans during the feudal era in Japan. The “Ninja” mostly consisted of spies that helped feudal lords gain favour by way of information trafficking. Due to this dangerous environment the “Ninja” developed a self defence and combat system catering to their needs. The “Ninja” needed to study the people, area, weapons and martial arts of the different clans they were assigned to infiltrate as part of their survival strategy. So be prepared for a written exam as part of level grading.
From there Ninjutsu developed different areas of practice to cover this wide spectrum. Forget about the Hollywood sword and flying star image. Ninjutsu is ruthless, it works on deception and completing the mission at any cost.
Kaihou Shin Defence Art
Sensei: Benjamin W Fourie
Offering: Ninjutsu – Kenjutsu (Japanese Swordsmanship) – Self Defence – MMA
Bio: “I have trained in many arts in the span of my martial arts journey. My first exposure at a young age was Taekwondo. From there I have trained in Karate, Kung Fu, Wrestling, Boxing and Kickboxing. I then found Ninjutsu. Ninjutsu had the most extensive offering. This also included weapons and military training. I practiced this for 7 years before moving onto Judo, wrestling and grappling.”
“I offer self defence classes ranging from individual to group training. Some of the more advanced self defence classes might seem a bit ruthless in nature but that is due to the reality of violent attack”
“My extensive martial arts background and unique training is complimented with my study of psychology. This placed me in a favourable position to help as an advisor for preparing competitive athletes for tournaments across many arts.”
“I hold a 1st Kyu grading in Ninjutsu (dojo, weapons and bush craft) – 1 Degree black belt in Kaihou Shin Defence Art (grade by Eastern Cape Budo Association) – Blue belt in Judo, part time Judo instructor and in 2015 I was the Chairman for Buffalo City Metro Judo Association affiliated to the International Judo Federation.”
Contact: 084 444 5480
Email: bwfourie@gmail.com
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/Self-Defence-Instructor-743595428999947/