Updated Black Belt Family Tree

Here is my updated family tree of black belts: 1. Simon Ball 2. Ethan Bragg 3. Adam Brandejs 4. Dana Broadhead 5. Jennifer Brock 6. Vince Brock 7. Craig Cote 8. Janel Cote 9. Kurtis Cote 10. Michelle Everitt 11. Brent Fowler 12. Justin Franklin 13. Geordie Gauld 14. Josh Girges 15. Maia Goldman 16. Michael Greenberg 17. Graham Harden 18. Geoff Kent 19. John McDonald 20. Chris Newsome 21. Rick Robson 22. Michaela Saker 23. Mike Saker 24. Morgan Seabrook 25. Scott Southwell 26. Lee Stanley 27. Jesse Toth 28. Matt Trejo 29. Alexa Vreman 30. Brennan Weatherhead 31. Ryan Welsh 32. Evan Wiley 33. Dave Wolfe 34. Reese Wunnink 35. Darren Wynes

Blast from the Past - 2006

This photo from was taken in Baltimore, Maryland at the 2006 LTKKA Championships. I was honored to be one of the main camp instructors, alongside Grandmaster Larry Tatum.

Advanced Black Belt Grading

Last night I tested my first two students ever to 5th Degree Black Belt in American Kenpo Karate - Matt Trejo and Evan Wiley. Additionally, Darren Wynes was promoted to 4th Degree Black Belt. As part of their test, the three candidates performed all 154 American Kenpo techniques (+ Aggressive Twins, Spreading Branch, and Intellectual Departure), all 96 technique extensions, and Long Forms 4-8. Each candidate also had several stand-up sparring fights, and several fights on the ground.

Unlike many advanced black belt promotions at this level which are considered "honorary" based on "time in the art", or that require students to perform 5-10 of their favorite techniques based on a 5-minute test, these three candidates did a 3-hour grading and performed every self-defense technique in the system. That's how a promotion at this level should be - and these three exemplified what 5th and 4th degree black belts in American Kenpo should move like.

Southwell's Kenpo is bringing back Grandmaster Larry Tatum!

Grandmaster Larry Tatum is returning to Southwell's Kenpo October 4-5, 2019. Everyone who is serious about their Kenpo training should definitely attend. Larry Tatum is in a league of his own and is truly an inspiration to Kenpo practitioners across the globe.

Check out this picture from his last event in June 2018:

Updated Family Tree of Black Belts

Below is my updated family tree of black belts (32 black belts in 24 years of running my school):

Simon Ball
Adam Brandejs
Dana Broadhead
Jennifer Brock
Vince Brock
Craig Cote
Janel Cote
Kurtis Cote
Michelle Everitt
Brent Fowler
Justin Franklin
Geordie Gauld
Josh Girges
Michael Greenberg
Graham Harden
Geoff Kent
John McDonald
Chris Newsome
Rick Robson
Michaela Saker
Mike Saker
Morgan Seabrook
Lee Stanley
Scott Southwell
Jesse Toth
Matt Trejo
Alexa Vreman
Brennan Weatherhead
Ryan Welsh
Evan Wiley
Reese Wunnink
Darren Wynes

Our Holiday in Cuba

Hi Everyone,

Happy New Year to all! We had an amazing holiday and spent Dec 23-Jan 5 in Holguin Cuba. The weather was awesome, with temperatures between 30-35 Celsius every day.Here are some photos of our time there.

Noah Bragg Promoted to Junior Black Belt

Last night, Noah Bragg was promoted to Junior Black Belt in American Kenpo Karate after more than 6 years of training at Seabrook Martial Arts Academy in London, Ontario. His testing consisted of full-contact continuous stand-up sparring, a jiu jitsu roll (ground fight), and American Kenpo forms and sets. The pictures on the left were from his Junior Black Belt testing and those on the right are from when he was still a beginner at our school. Congratulations Noah!