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NOT YET OPEN - EMAIL US FOR START DATES
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We will start as soon as I have reached the quota of kids that will cover the insurance costs etc. - so pre-register your kids as soon as possible.
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After years of being asked to start up a dojo, (karate school) I have finally decided to see if I can make it work with my busy schedule. My decision is primarily based on my inability to find a school which I am comfortable enrolling my own daughter in within the Buffalo area. Believe me, I would much rather leave the headache of running a school to someone else.
This is for CHILDREN ONLY (6-18 yrs old). If I get pestered by enough people about adult classes I may consider it, but for now, just kids!
So... here are the details thus far - I'm still in the planning stages - if anyone has suggestions please feel free to voice your opinion: KATC@karateathlete.com
KARATE STYLE TAUGHT: SHOTOKAN KARATE - Traditional Japanese and WKF Karate - the style that will become Olympic Karate when Karate is eventually included in the Games in the next couple of years (hopefully).
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Children who hold grades and colored belts from other schools
If your child holds a legitimate grade in Shotokan Karate, I will honor it and they can wear their colored belts. If however, they hold a grade (colored belt) in a style other than Shotokan, then they will need to start as a white belt.
While I understand that this can be disappointing for children who worked hard for a colored belt, its unavoidable. Styles differ as do belt requirements. My students will be able to know that if they have a colored belt it is one that will put them on par with the best of their rank in the world. I myself have studied many different styles and always started at white belt regardless of the ranks I held in other styles.
Important to note is that just because they may start as a white belt with me in Shotokan, they will not lose their rank/grade and belt in the previous style they studied - ever. They can choose at a later date to start up their old style where they left off.
Also note that unlike most karate schools, I will NOT charge students for testing... I've always been against this policy.
You can get more info on Shotokan grading by clicking on the link for Traditional Strategies and Philosophies. There you will find a breakdown for minimum training periods between grades as well as a breakdown of what is expected to pass each grade.
Exceptions to this rule are if your child's grade/belt was awarded by a legitimate school in one of the other 3 foundation styles (Shito Ryu, Wado Ryu, or Goju Ryu). I will add Gosoku Ryu to the list also. These four styles are fundamentally very similar to Shotokan. If someone comes in with belts from these other styles I will assess them on an individual basis and possibly (at my discretion) give them a period of time to learn the Shotokan Katas (forms) and adapt to the slight variations in stance and techniques from what they may have previously learned. At the end of the predetermined period, or when I think that they're ready, I will test them for the belt they previously held in the other style. If they pass then they will be allowed to wear the belt and be awarded that grade in Shotokan.
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INSTRUCTOR : JULIAN FORBES 4th Degree Black Belt Shotokan Karate, 2 x World Cup Bronze Medalist, and former US Team Capt.
NO LONG TERM CONTRACTS
NO TESTING FEES
NO HIDDEN CHARGES
MONTHLY DUES - $80.00/MONTH
SIBLINGS HALF OFF - $40.00/MONTH
DUES ARE PAYABLE AT THE BEGINNING OF EVER MONTH
1/2 MONTH PAYMENTS POSSIBLE BY SPECIAL PRIOR ARRANGEMENT FOR FAMILIES VACATIONING. (For families going away for a week or two...)
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Volunteer Firemen Special: Due to my respect for these people who put their lives on the line for us for free, with very few perks, volunteer firemen's families will get half off the first child - additional children are already halved so that will remain the same.
So... Volunteer Firemen : 1st Child $40.00/month,
Additional children $40.00/month
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CHILDREN'S CLASSES 2 TIMES PER WEEK - 1 HOUR CLASSES
TUESDAY 6 PM - 7 PM
THURSDAY 6 PM - 7 PM
LOCATION : HARLEM ROAD COMMUNITY CENTER, Harlem Road, Snyder, New York 14226, USA (1 block from Harlem Rd./Main St.) - GYM - This is tentative location. We're still looking for a location that will be available from 5-6 PM.
CONTACT : KATC@karateathlete.com
Uniforms and Equipment
Karate Athlete is in the process of manufacturing top quality uniforms and equipment. Unfortunately the stuff we have in stock is probably a bit pricey for starter uniforms. We will have inexpensive starter uniforms in stock in the months to come. In the meantime we will be glad to order one for you from a third party or you are very welcome to do so yourself.
As far as protective gear goes...
Groin protectors/cups - all boys are required to wear cups for kumite (sparring) when that time comes. Its a good idea to get them used to wearing them at all times when training anyway, but if they are just starting out they won't need them right away.
Mouth Guards - These are required for anyone sparring but again, if they're just starting out it won't be immediately necessary.
Fist and shin and instep mitts/pads - Required for sparring when they get to it. My company manufactures these and I will be offering them at a discount for my students. Again, this is not an immediate requirement if they're starting out.
Women's chest protectors - Highly recommended especially for the older girls.
Head protectors - I'm actually going to get a bunch of these which people can use but for hygienic reasons if your child becomes serious about it they may want to get their own. This is not a priority as contact to the head is strictly forbidden and all sparring will be closely monitored. Accidents do however happen so its something to consider in the future.
Chest protectors - I am also going to order some kids' chest protectors which kids can use - similar to the Tae Kwon Do protectors you may have seen.
Like I mentioned before, most of this stuff isn't necessary initially and I do have some stuff which I can lend a kid who forgets their own pads or wants to try stuff out. You can get an idea of what some of this stuff goes for by visiting the Shop on this site.
PRE-REGISTER YOUR CHILD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS SPACE IS LIMITED!
To pre-register email us at KATC@karateathlete.com
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