We hold classes at different venues across the Newport area.
Our classes are in traditional Shotokan Karate, one of the most widely popular styles of Karate.
We can accommodate students from 14 years of age with no upper age limit.
If you are interested in finding out more about us or joining us feel free to get in touch, whether you are a total novice or have previous karate experience. You can get in touch with us here.
As a non-profit club all monies collected go towards hall (Dojo) hire, general club admin and development.
fees: Club members £28 per month or £8 per session. New beginners £6 per session. Juniors £4 per session.
What to wear? Loose clothing and bare feet. No jewellery
Do i just turn up? Yes! 10/15 mins before training time.
What to expect in a class (1st lesson) As a total beginner. A light warm up to get your muscles ready to move. Then an in depth explanation of how to perform some basic techniques.
SKIF Wales was formed in 1980 by Sensei Dave Griffiths.
In 1978 Dave Griffiths befriended a post graduate who had come to work in the same company in Newport South Wales. His name was Mike McDonagh. Mike had moved to Newport after graduating at Nottingham university. Mike was a student of Asano sensei and was a member of the Nottingham city team, along with Paul Mead, Aidan Trimble, Keith Barnes, Roy Harrison and Vince Morris. Mike started to teach Dave in the empty living room of Dave’s first house. After a few months Dave suggested starting a club. Which they did, training in the canteen after work. They affiliated to SKI-GB in 1980 and called it "The Crompton SKI Karate Club”.
In 1984 Dave was awarded his Shodan and became the club instructor, by which time the club had changed its name to SKI Wales (Newport). The club flourished during the late eighties and early nineties with over 50 members.
In 1998 Asano sensei asked Dave to submit a Welsh team for the Forthcoming European championships in Sheffield. The team, all over 40 did themselves proud, being drawn against the Italian team comprising the newly crowned European individual mens champion. Some unorthodox technique by one of the welshmen John Mcathy who bought down one of the Italian guys using a full grapple and body slam brought huge laughter from the watching panel of senior Japanese sensei including Kancho Kanazawa. Unfortunately the technique was not allowed to stand and rightly so of course. However, all was not totally lost as Dave had to face the European champion. Dave recalls “ i’d never seen an Italian so tall, he was a good 6’2” and half my age” nevertheless Dave managed to squeeze a draw out of the contest and the Italians went on towards the finals. Wales did come away with some medals however, a third place in the master team kumite and Dave won a 4th place trophy in the master kata. Not bad for a bunch of old boys.
I hope that this short history of our club and my experiences will be some small help and inspiration to anyone reading this and hoping to either begin or continue a life of Karatedo.
Karate is a discipline, a fitness regime, and a form of self-defense that's useful for all ages. Research shows that Karate offers many benefits for the body and mind. While the physical benefits and advantages of Karate are apparent, the mental benefits can't be discounted.
Kyu gradings (coloured belts) are held approximately every 3-4 months, with longer waiting periods for the brown belts as you approach your Dan grade.
There are 9 Kyu grades in all - starting at 9th Kyu (red belt) and working to 1st Kyu (brown/2 white stripes).
Eligibility to grade is dependent upon your advancement from your previous grade. Your instructor will inform you when you are ready to attempt your next grading.
Dan gradings (black-belt) are held annually within the SKIF-GB organisation, under the direction of Hanshi Shiro Asano and senior instructors of the SKIF-GB.
1st Dan eligibility is a minimum of 9 months training after attaining 1st Kyu.
On a regular basis we hold a Wales & West Squad session.
These are additional sessions focused on competition Kumite and Kata (and fitness), primarily for those interested in competing, but also for those just wanting that extra little bit of training.
The squad sessions allow the regional squad instructors to coach and develop local students and recommend individuals to the SKIF-GB National Coach for inclusion in the National SKIF-GB squad for representation at the SKIEF European and SKIF World championships as well as other friendly competitions.
SKIF Wales is affiliated to a major Japanese organisation and we therefore have the benefits of been able to compete at a National and International level.
SKIF-GB typically has two competitions at the national level each year, the Spring championships and then the National championships in the August. In addition, there are occasional interclub and junior competitions arranged to help develop younger competitors and junior grades.
At the international level, SKIF-GB enters a Great Britain squad at the SKIEF European championships and at the SKIF World Championships. Selections for the SKIF-GB squad are controlled by the National Coach, Sensei Pasq Mura 7th Dan.
SKIF-GB organises regular national courses with some of the worlds top karate instructors.
In addition to instruction from Hanshi Asano (9th Dan), senior SKIF-GB instructors such as Paul Mead (8th Dan) and Pasq Mura (7th Dan) may teach on these courses. International instructors are regular guests also - Kancho Nobuaki Kanazawa (8th Dan), SKIF World Chief Instructor, taught on the 2022 Summer Gasshuku and Sensei Yasuyuki Aragane taught on the 2022 New Years course. Other SKIF instructors such as Murakami and Tanaka have also taught here in the UK.
Every SKIF Wales student is entitled (and encouraged) to attend these courses to benefit from this top-level instruction.
As well as UK courses each SKIF member country hosts regular courses, so students could also travel and train on any of these.