Dartmouth Shotokan Karate Club started in 1974 when Pete Atkins, who was then a member of Torbay Karate Club, persuaded its instructor, Bob Davies (now 3rd Dan) to open a Club at Dartmouth Secondary Modern School in Victoria Road. The Club flourished and as membership increased became a Club in its own right, with Pete taking on the running of it as Chief Instructor. When the new school was built in Milton Lane the Club moved there using both Secondary and Primary School sites; and was then invited to move to the Leisure Centre when it opened.
During this time the Club has raised thousands of pounds for Charity through the Karate Union of Great Britain Annual Charity Appeal - including Great Ormond Street Hospital, CLIC and Age Concern.
The Karate Union of Great Britain to which the Club belongs, was founded in 1966 and is the largest Shotokan Karate organisation in Britain.
Over the years, Club members have achieved 100% success rate in passing their grading examinations - many going on to achieve Black Belt. This is made all the greater by the fact that gradings are carried out by KUGB official grading examiners (all 7th to 9th Dans) including world champions and members of world champion teams. Consequently the standard of students and instructors is kept high.
The Dartmouth Club has always been keen to give everyone a chance to try Karate by having no membership or joining fee, and no prepaid direct debit for training - so students only pay when they train. Anyone is welcome to come along and watch a training session and the first lesson is free.
Training times are:
• Sunday 10.30a.m. - 12 noon and
• Wednesday 6.30 - 8.00 p.m.
at Dartmouth Leisure Centre
For further information contact Pete Atkins on 01803 833794 or visit www.dartmouthkarateclub.co.uk
First Published July 2013 By The Dart