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Wadokai Southwest.
 Chief Instructor, Gary E Swift 7th Dan.
Gary Swift was born in Leigham Terrace, Plymouth, Devon, in 1956. He started his martial-arts training at the early age of 10 at his junior school at Laira Green.
His first taste of martial-arts was learning the popular systems, at that time, of Ju-jutsu and Judo.
After a move to Prince Rock Senior School he was also introduced to the skills of Thai-boxing (known then as Kickboxing) by one of his gym teachers.
Upon his arrival to the South of England in 1972, from Liskeard, he started Wado-ryu Karate in Guildford and Bisley (Surrey), under his most influential Instructor Mick Rapley (5th Dan), in 1974 (affiliated to the United Kingdom Karate Federation (later to be known as the United Kingdom Karate-do Wadokai)).
Regular Japanese instructors at this time included Suzuki Tatsuo Hanshi, Maeda Tadayuki Sensei, Shiomitsu Masafumi Sensei and Kobayashi Katsumi Sensei.
From this day onwards he studied numerous other forms of Karate, as well as Shorinji-kempo, Muay-Thai, Malaysian Taekwondo (Thoi-kuen-do), Korean HoSin-sul Hapkido, various weapons systems, and a variety of other Japanese, Korean, and Chinese martial-arts.
Today he is holder of numerous titles and ranks in martial-arts including 7th Dan in Wado-ryu Karate, 2nd Dan in Korean HoSin-sul Hapkido, and 1st Dan in Malaysian Taekwondo. He has over 30 years teaching experience and over 40 years (including international) training experience.
He is the Founder-President of the Alliance of International Wado-ryu (AIWA est. 1982), and Chief Instructor to the British Wadokai Karate-do Federation.
He is also recognised within the Japanese Karate Federation's Wadokai England (to which he is General Secretary), and the English Karate Federation (EKF).
Gary Swift Kyoshi has also had the honour of training, and being graded, under Ohtsuka Hironori Meijin 10th Dan (founder of Wado-ryu) in 1976. Other instructors have also included the famous: Tomiyama Keiji 10th Dan Shihan (Shito-ryu), Hoi Hean Thow 7th Dan (Thoi-kuen-do, Tong-long, Bo-jutsu, Escrima), Dr. Julian S Lim 8th Dan (Hapkido, HoSin-sul).
His return to Plymouth, in July 2004, has allowed him to open new clubs and build a new South-western based organisation, Wadokai Southwest, under the British Wadokai, Alliance of International Wado-ryu (AIWa) & JKF-Wadokai England banner. |
Wadokai Southwest.
 Senior Instructor, Zoë Swift 4th Dan Tashi.
Zoë has been training since 1983 and has been actively involved in instructing since 1988. |
Riviera Wado-ryu Karate Club.
 Mark Flynn 1st Dan.
I began my training some 5 years ago, under the tuition of Sensei Rob
Holmes. Due to unfortunate and unforeseen circumstances Sensei Holmes was forced to close the club, in June of 2005.
After much deliberation I decided, with sensei Holmes approval, to take over the club, doing so led to my making contact with Sensei Swift, with his many years experience running clubs in the art of traditional Wado-ryu and vast knowledge, he has helped me immensely to embrace the new syllabus and build a small but loyal club.
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Mushin Karate Club (Sussex).
 | Ian Riley 2nd Dan.
I started Karate in June 1995 with Shinwaryu Karate Club under my most influential instructor, Sensei Mark Walder. I was awarded my 1st Dan in March 2001 at the age of 15 and became the youngest member to attain a black belt grade. In the clubs 10 year life span there was not another student under the age of 16 who made 1st Dan.
After 2 years of assisting with the chief instructor at that time (Sensei Dave Limb - Chief Instructor 2001-2003) I decided to start my very own club. As I was under 18 at the time I had to wait for 9 months before I could open my own club. I used this time to prepare for the opening. It gave me the time to ensure that nothing was overlooked in terms of managing a business.
In September 2003 I was awarded my 2nd degree black belt, and in October 2003 I opened the doors for the first time to teach using the name of ‘Mushin Karate Club’. The club was an instant success with student numbers rapidly increasing. After 4 months, membership was up to 15 members. Unfortunately for Shinwaryu Karate Club student numbers were declining and so after very long discussions a decision was made to close the club. No longer an assistant instructor with Shinwaryu Karate Club my focus was now purely on my new club (Mushin Karate Club). This also marked the change of my instructor. I was now under the direct instruction of Sensei Gary Swift. As I no longer belong to a club (Shinwaryu) I utilise my home training with hours of practise and attend all of Sensei Gary Swifts courses when he visits the south.
At this moment in time I have 3 clubs and a prospective 4 new branches opening soon. I continue to work very hard for my student’s development and I’m very proud of the standards they display. I am also working hard for my own personal development and anticipate my 3rd degree black belt exam in 2007.
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Hakutsuru Karate-Kai.
 Ian Hunter 6th Dan.
Ian Hunter began Wado Ryu under the direction of Sensei Gary Swift and Sensei Mick Rapley at twelve years of age.
Ian has applied much of his background knowledge of health and safety issues to help make training in martial arts safer for all involved. He has spent many years researching numerous scientfic studies, some of which have been found to have practical benefits for martial arts students. These are often made the theme of his training sessions. |
Ockley Karate Club.
 Jim Taylor (3rd Dan) Tashi.
Jim started training in July 1992 at the age of 37 as the result of seeing his kids enjoying karate and thought 'why not give it a go?'
Jim went on to attain his 1st dan in September 1997, 2nd Dan in September 1999 and his 3rd dan in September 2002.
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Cranleigh Karate Club.
 Liz Bulley 2nd Dan.
Liz has been training since November 1992. She attained her 1st dan in September 1997 and her 2nd dan in September 1999.
Liz has two daughters who are both green belts. |
Wadokai Southwest.
 Nick Fowle 2nd Dan.
I started Wado-ryu karate in the late 1970's at Horsham Karate Club under Sensei Bill Bishop (4th Dan) whose dedication & infectious enthusiasm was an inspiration to us students. At this time we also visited & trained at Suzuki Tatsuo (8th Dan) Hanshi's club in London and attended summer &winter courses (instructors included Suzuki, Shiomitsu, Sagasawa & others).
Having progressed to brown belt, work commitments prevented me from regular club training & I was forced to take time out.
I restarted training in the mid 80's but unfortunately by this time Bill Bishop had sadly passed away (a real loss to Wado-ryu).
I joined another Wado club in Horsham (starting from white belt again) run by Sensei Paul Elliott (SEMKA) then 3rd Dan. Our Chief Instructor at that time was Mick Rapley (5th Dan) Sensei, who was succeeded by my most influential instructor Gary Swift (7th Dan) Saiko-Shihan.
I was eventually awarded my black belt in Sep 1993 by Sensei Gary Swift. The day started with the exam, followed by the grading, followed by a hard 4hr training session. We were absolutely shattered but it was well worth it.
In 1998 work commitments again seriously interfered with training & I decided to leave the club.
In 2002 I retired from the Police Service (after 30 yrs+) & we moved to Tavistock, Devon. I took a part-time job & although I'm always busy, I now had more control of my time. I realised that although life was pretty good I missed training & learning karate. On searching the net for Wado-ryu Plymouth area, low & behold to my surprise Gary Swift Sensei had moved to Plymouth from Surrey (via Bodmin).In Dec 2005 I surprised him, Zoë & myself by making another comeback.
Although in my 50's I'm thoroughly enjoying my return. |
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