Home
What's New? 
Instructor Profiles 
Photo Album 
Coaching Page 
Links 
Dojo 
CALENDAR 
Want To Join? 
Syllabus 
Club Rules 
Club Flyer 
Shihozuki 
Shukokai Combinations 
Edgworth club 
Women's page 
Poster 
Tower Shukokai Photo Archive 
Guest Book 
Tower Shukokai Karate Club
(See also our sister site www.henka-ryu.co.uk)               site last updated 22:07.2008.21:28

2nd World Gravy Wrestling Championships. Ian Marsden to Defend his WORLD TITLE. Click for details


Thanks to everyone who sponsored Richard & Martyn on the Manchester-Blackpool 60 mile Bike Ride
(a bit more for  Richard "two punctures" Swann who  cycled 15 miles to the start from Edgworth!)
 
Late sponsors still accepted. Click here to retrospectively sponsor Richard, or on the image, right, to pledge for Martyn- It all goes to Christie's.
See photos by clicking here


Chief Instructor:



Introduction to Tower Shukokai Karate Club (Established in Darwen 1987)
Still serving Darwen, Blackburn, Turton and Bolton areas
Karate: Karate means “Empty Hand”. In the simplest sense the word is applied to the martial art (Mars=Roman god of war) of karate and empty-handed combat without the assistance of weapons. In the deepest sense it implies self discipline, religious conviction, and a wealth of patience and understanding. Karate is also an exciting sport, one at which Great Britain excels on the world stage.
The Club: The club was founded in 1987 by Andy Allwood at Darwen Leisure Centre. It now exists under the name of “Tower Shukokai” to reflect its long association with the area. Training is regular every week, and we also attend courses and tournaments around the country, for those that want them.
The Instructors: Andy Allwood started karate in 1983, but despite the years of training he still considers himself a student of the art and is always trying to make improvements. He has also had many years in the security business where he has acquired a good working knowledge of practical self-defence techniques.
Martyn Skipper’s formal Martial Arts career began in 1976 although he was arguably born to fight - his father was a professional boxer! His experience encompasses many differing systems including Shotokan and Ju Jitsu. Lorraine Allwood’s creative talents show in her execution of kata, for which she has won many National and regional honours. Nevertheless, her karate is very practical. She began after being assaulted, so her karate has to be effective in the street.
The Style (Shukokai): The style of Shukokai (“Way for all”) is noted for its powerful punches. A derivative of Shito-Ryu, it was developed by Chojiro Tani and Shigeru Kimura who first brought it to the UK. Shukokai is one of the three most practised styles in this country and the first to introduce the use of impact pads as an aid to training.
Beginning: Most people think you have to be fit to start karate training. The syllabus that we work to starts at a level where most people can manage and gets harder as the standard gets higher. But you never know what you can achieve until you try it.
The Syllabus: Our syllabus is founded upon the traditional three pillars of Kihon (basic techniques), Kata (formal exercises) and Kumite (pairs work, ranging from pre-arranged drills to-for those with a high level of skill-almost unrestricted free sparring). We also encourage participation in competitions (shiai) and explore methods from other systems.
Insurance: You will be covered by the club’s insurance as soon as you start training but after four weeks you will be expected to apply for a licence. This is renewable annually and will give the holder member-to-member cover. It will also carry membership of the Amateur Martial Associations, the largest multistyle martial arts association in the UK, and the English Karate Federation, the WKF-recognised Governing Body for karate in England.
So Why Karate? Karate is a popular and enjoyable pastime which fosters both physical fitness and life-saving skills. It is relatively cheap to learn and has the added advantage that it can be practiced throughout life from childhood to old age. The grading system permits continuous improvement and the matching of equivalent abilities in competition.


The Benefits of Regular Karate Training:
• Health & Fitness
• Control, Coordination & Balance
• Strength & Suppleness
• Self Discipline
• Protect Yourself And Your Family
• Manage Frustration, Anger & Stress
 
**********************************************
Click on "What's new" on the menu on the left for all the latest from Tower Shukokai, and notice of forthcoming events & training times
 
**********************************************

With time and effort you can build a more positive and energetic future for yourself, but you will only get out what you are prepared to put in

“The ultimate aim of the art of karate lies not in victory or defeat,
but in the perfection of the character of its participants.”
Gichin Funakoshi.

Club Instructors:
Andy Allwood, 5th Dan
Lorraine Allwood, 2nd Dan
Martyn Skipper, 4th Dan
CRB Cleared
AMA Qualified Coaches
For more details of class times contact: 01204 596199, Mobile 07960 794160 email andyallwood@aol.com
Adults £3.50 Children £3.00
Any age welcome over 5
5-7 years must be accompanied by a training adult
All equipment available through the club
 
 
“A long journey begins with the first step”