Bristol Karate Club: beginners always welcome.

Karate in Totterdown since 1968.

A friendly, non-profit club in the Holy Nativity church hall, taught by black belts up to 9th Dan. Juniors from 5, adults any age. Start any week, and pay £7 on the nights you train.

Find my class Call 0117 977 9029

Black belts lined up on the red and blue mats in the club's church hall dojo, trophy cabinets behind — The dojo, Holy Nativity Church Hall

Yoi ready

Next class

Tuesday, 7:30pm

Seniors, 16 and over

Beginners start on a Tuesday.

the week.

Every class in one place, and the right one for whoever's starting.

I'm looking for a class for

MonMonday

No class

TueTuesday

7:30–9pmSeniors 16+ · beginners start here

WedWednesday

No class

ThuThursday

6:15pmJuniors 5–9

7:15pmJuniors 10–16

FriFriday

7–8pmSeniors 16+ · not for beginners

SatSaturday

No class

SunSunday

No class

Thursday, 6:15pmJuniors aged 5 to 9, in their own class.

Come along any Thursday. You're welcome to watch first.
£7 on the night. No membership fees.
Kit: get your own, or buy it through the club.
Juniors work towards their first belt: white with a red stripe.

No membership fees.

“This is a proper Karate club, no monthly fees, pay as you go, not a money making club, dedicated instructors.”Google review

Pay on the night£7 a session, seniors and juniors. You only pay on the days you train.

Safe handsVery physical, but injuries are rare because of how controlled it is. Every instructor is first-aid trained.

Any ageJuniors from 5, taught in their own classes. There's no upper age limit.

Download the full syllabus (PDF)

the belt path.

Every grade from the club's own syllabus. Juniors start at 12th Kyu with a white belt and a red stripe. From 8th Kyu the syllabus is the same for everyone, all the way to black.

12^th KyuJuniors

White, red stripe

JunzukiForward punch
Maegeri GyakuzukiFront kick, reverse punch
Jiyu Kumite (10+)Controlled free sparring

11^th KyuJuniors

White, blue stripe

Surikomi MaegeriShort step front kick
Soto Uke GyakuzukiOuter block, reverse punch

10^th KyuJuniors

White, orange stripe

Uchi Uke GyakuzukiInner block, reverse punch
Gedan Barai GyakuzukiLow block, reverse punch

9^th KyuJuniors

White, green stripe

Everything so farAll of the 12th, 11th and 10th Kyu syllabus

8^th KyuEveryone

White, yellow stripe

Junzuki, turn, Jodan UkePunch, turn, head block
Kihon KataThe first kata
Jiyu KumiteControlled free sparring

7^th Kyu

Yellow belt

Mawashigeri GyakuzukiRoundhouse kick, reverse punch
Pinan NidanKata

6^th Kyu

Orange belt

Shuto Uke GyakuzukiKnife-hand block, reverse punch
Sokuto FumikomiStamping edge-of-foot kick
Pinan ShodanKata

5^th Kyu

Green belt

Yokogeri GyakuzukiSide kick, reverse punch
Pinan SandanKata

4^th Kyu

Purple belt

Mawashiuchi GyakuzukiHook kick, reverse punch
UshirogeriBack kick
Pinan YondanKata

3^rd Kyu

Brown belt

TobikomizukiLunging punch
Ippon KumiteOne-step sparring
KushankuKata, plus all the Pinan kata

2^nd Kyu

Brown, two white stripes

ChintoKata, on top of everything for 3rd Kyu

1^st Kyu

Brown, one white stripe

A senior kataOf the examiner's choice

Black belt

Shodan, and the Dan grades beyond

Passai, Niseishi, WanshuThe senior Wado kata taught at the club
Taught by the bestThe club's senior instructors hold 7th, 8th and 9th Dan

Keep scrolling to walk the belts

Bristol Karate Club

Est. 1968

1968: Founded in Bristol by Dave Wheatley

Union: Founder members of the Western Karate Union

9th Dan: Alan Flook, Chief Instructor of the club and the WKU, awarded Kudan

8th · 7th Dan: Dave Wheatley and Andy Gunton, with a team of 3rd to 6th Dan instructors

Champions: A World Champion, and British champions, came up through the club

Medals: English Karate Federation Championships and the Welsh Karate League

Style: Rooted in Wado Ryu, developed and enhanced over the years

On screen: Four students filmed sparring at high speed for a TV documentary about time

Junior members with their medals beside the officials at a championship — Juniors on the medal table

The club's teenage squad in club gis wearing their medals — The squad, medals on

New Dan grades holding their certificates with senior instructors in club tracksuits — A Dan grading

Still from the documentary: two karateka sparring under a spotlight

The power of perfect timing.

Four of the club's students were filmed sparring with high-speed cameras for a TV documentary about time, showing how the human mind copes with rapid movement and thought.

Come and watch a class

come and watch.

You're welcome to visit the club in Totterdown and see us in action before you join. Students come from all walks of life, from complete novices to international level.

Under-16s train in their own Thursday classes, split by age. Adults start on a Tuesday, and new beginners join all the time.

Holy Nativity Church Hall, School Road

A junior class punching in line on the mats, honour boards on the wall behind

The whole club, juniors and seniors, together on a field for a summer course — The whole club together for a summer course

“Friendly club, glad we made the change. Well structured classes, great instructors.”Google review

“Amazing club, with great history and produced british and world champions.”Google review

“Excellent club. Very welcoming and a great team of instructors.”Google review

good questions.

How much does it cost?

£7 a session for seniors and juniors. There are no fixed membership fees: you only pay on the days you train.

Will I get hurt?

It's very physical, but injuries are rare because of the controlled way karate is practised here. All the instructors are trained in first aid.

How young can they start?

Juniors can start from 5 (that's for insurance). Under-16s have their own classes. There's no upper age limit.

What style is it?

Our karate has its origins in Wado Ryu, developed and enhanced over the years.

Do I need kit?

You can get your own, or buy it through the club shop, where club suits start at £21.50.

What's in my next grading?

It's all in the belt path above, or download the syllabus.

Find us

Holy Nativity Church Hall,
School Road, Totterdown,
Bristol BS4 3DJ

Directions Call 0117 977 9029

Phone: 0117 977 9029
Email: enquiries@bristolkarateclub.org.uk
Classes: Tue 7:30pm · Thu 6:15 & 7:15pm · Fri 7pm
News: Facebook, for grading days and courses
Kit: Club shop (PSF)