Our Chief Instructor has DBS certification and Child Protection qualifications along with first aid training.

If any students wish to progress to become qualified instructors then please speak to Paul.

Chief Instructor : Paul Davies 3rd Dan

Paul has been training in Karate since being introduced to (Wado Ryu), in 1974, started to train in Shotokan whilst working in London in 1985, joining I.S.K. under the guidance of the legendary Sensei Pauline Bindra. Also a nationally qualified referee. He also holds a current national coaching/instructors qualification.

Junior Instructor : Gabby Harris 3rd Dan

Gabby has been with us since we started in 2015 and has trained extremely hard, she is now one of our most valued members of the club. She has competed and medalled at local, regional, national and international levels all over Europe and earned her first "welsh cap" in 2019. She is currently, (2022),  in "Camp America" mentoring young american children. Gabby is very keen to pass on this knowledge and experience to our students.

Junior Instructor : Joseff Thomas 2nd Dan

I started karate in 2012 at the age of 9 by joining a local karate club where Sensei Paul, Liz and Dave were instructing. It was initially suggested to me by a friend’s parent, and after attending a few ‘starter’ sessions, I became hooked on the sport. Over time, my confidence and ability in the sport grew until it became my ‘main’ sport and an important part of my life. After Paul, Liz and Dave left to create Swansea Karate Academy, I continued training at the club but eventually moved to SKA to be taught by them again While at the club, I’ve competed at a competitive level and won gold medals at different national and regional competitions.

I’ve managed to obtain my 2^nd Dan at this club after the most intense and demanding grading of my life! Being a 2^nd Dan gives me a good level of self-confidence in the club and allows me to be a good role model for younger members and to help newer/less experienced members to improve their karate. I think however the most valuable thing that training at this club has given me is helping me become qualified as a Junior Instructor. Towards the end of 2019, I worked towards this qualification and the help and support I received while doing it was incredible. I’m now fully qualified as a Junior Instructor and help teach the junior classes on a weekly basis, which are without a doubt one of the most valuable and definitely the most enjoyable experiences I’ve had to date during my karate journey. Once a week, I come up with a warm-up for the kids to do before the class, which usually involves a lot of shouting and jumping around! It’s challenged me to think creatively and to make sure the kids are entertained and stimulated for the class, while making sure they warm up all the essential muscles for the physical activity ahead.

Dechreuais i karate yn 2012 pan yn 9 mlwydd oed gan ymuno efo clwb karate lleol lle yr oedd Sensei Paul, Liz a Dave yn hyfforddi. Roedd y clwb wedi’i awgrymu i mi gan riant un o’n ffrindiau, ac ar ôl mynychu sesiynau dechreuol, o’n ni ‘di bachu. Dros amser, roedd fy hyder a gallu mewn karate wedi gwella tan fe ddaeth karate fy ‘mhrif’ chwaraeon a rhan bwysig o’n fywyd. Ar ôl i Paul, Liz a Dave ymadael a’r clwb i greu Swansea Karate Academy, fe wnes i barhau ymarfer a’r un clwb nes i mi symud i SKA i gael fy nysgu ganddyn nhw unwaith eto. Tra yn y clwb, rwy’ ‘di cystadlu ar lefel cystadleuol ac wedi ennill medalau aur mewn cystadlaethau rhanbarthol a gwladol.

Rwy’ ‘di medru ennill 2il Dan yn y clwb hwn ar ôl yr asesiad mwyaf angerddol ac anodd o’m mywyd! Mae bod yn 2il Dan wedi rhoi i mi lefel da o hunanhyder syn fy ngalluogi i fod yn ddelfryd ymddwyn dda i aelodau iau'r clwb ac i helpu aelodau llai profiadwy’r clwb. Ond i mi, rwy’n credu taw’r peth mwyaf gwerthfawr mae’r clwb wedi rhoi i mi yw’r cyfle i hyfforddi fel hyfforddwr ifanc. Tua diwedd 2019, gweithiais tuag at y cymhwyster hwn ac yr oedd y cymorth a’r help cefais o’r clwb yn anhygoel. Rwy’ nawr yn gymwys yn llawn fel hyfforddwr ifanc, ac rwy’n helpu allan efo’r dosbarthiadau ifanc yn wythnosol. Mae’r profiadau hon heb os yn un o’r profiadau mwyaf gwerthfawr ac yn sicr y profiadau mwyaf pleserus rwy’ ‘di cael hyd yn hyn yn fy nhaith karate. Unwaith yr wythnos, rwy’n creu sesiwn ‘twymo i fyny’ ar gyfer y plant iau yn y clwb, sydd fel arfer yn cynnwys llawer o sŵn a neidio o gwmpas! Mae ‘di rhoi sialens i mi i feddwl yn greadigol ac i sicrhau mae’r plant wedi’i adlonni a'i stimiwleiddio ar gyfer y dosbarth, wrth sicrhau maent yn twymo i fyny'r holl gyhyrau sydd angen am y gweithgaredd corfforol o’i flaen. I’r rhai ohonoch sy’n gallu darllen hyn, mae’n bosib i mi allu dysgu siaradwyr Cymraeg yn y Gymraeg hefyd!

These are a selection of things people have said about our club.

Lou

My daughter loves coming to Karate. She trains with the club 3+ times a week. Chief instructor Paul Sensei is fantastic at teaching. His passion for Karate certainly rubs off on his students. Liz Sensei and Dave Sensei are also great, as a parent, I love watching Liz explain the basic moves to the younger students.
The confidence, self esteem and resilience my daughter has is priceless and I believe this is all down to being part of a fantastic Karate family that nurtures their students to be the best they can be

Wasan

My 4 children have attended this excellently run, very friendly yet professional club for a number of years.
The teaching and support exceeds any parents’ expectations and hopes for any child, whatever their capability. They not only teach to the highest standards but give the children and adults the confidence to achieve their goals.
Liz , Paul and Dave are amazing in so many ways and I feel so lucky my kids are part of this group.
Can not recommend enough.

Mark

Can't recommend the club highly enough. My daughter started just over a year ago and was made extremely welcome . She thoroughly enjoys the classes , the team help build confidence and encourage all levels of ability and ages.

Sue

Both my sons (aged 14 and 12) have been doing karate for 5/6 years. They have trained with Paul, Liz and Dave who now SKA and they are fantastic coaches. Not only is karate a great form of exercise, it is fun and also teaches the kids discipline. SKA is a very professional club and the coaches are all very dedicated to the children and adults who train there. My oldest son is now a black belt and my other son is working towards his brown 2 stripe belt. A great achievement at their age, and all thanks to the coaches of this club. Highly recommend SKA. Karate is a great sport to take on, at any age!

Roger

Swansea Karate Academy provides the perfect environment for beginners, improvers and experts to learn new skills. The SKA has a real ‘family feel’ and the teaching staff, Paul, Liz and Dave, are incredibly supportive and knowledgeable. In addition to self-defence and fitness I believe that karate has enabled my children to develop invaluable life skills such as respect, discipline and self-confidence. Taking them to karate classes was definitely one of the best decisions I have made as a parent !!

Michael

Fantastic club ,outstanding instructors,very friendly atmosphere ,everyone made to feel welcome 

Christine

Great family oriented club. I train with both the senior and the junior and belts as the classes are such good fun. The teaching and leadership team are superb.Can heartily recommend for both children and their parents. Come join us!!

Rebecca

Fantastic club! All 3 of my children thoroughly enjoy attending sessions and have grown in confidence and ability due to the professional and motivating coaching from Liz, Dave and Paul. There is a lovely family friendly feeling to the club! I highly recommend this Karate Academy to boost your child’s confidence!

Katy

Thoroughly recommend Swansea karate Academy. My little girl has grown in confidence so much and has a really great time at this friendly, welcoming club.

Lorena

A very welcoming club I started as an adult with my son who was 9. Everyone is made to feel they can do it. Even when the classes are busy everyone is give attention to help improve. Fantastic club!

Alice

Perfect club for everyone. Thanks