ABOUT US
Garner Karate-do was founded by Roger George. Roger is a 3rd Dan in Shotokan Karate under the training of Ray Dalke, 8th Dan with American JKA. As the Chief Instructor of Garner Karate-do, Mr. George is responsible for the training program delivered. He taught for over 10 years for the City of Oviedo (Florida) Recreation Department, in addition to developing karate programs for other city and county recreation departments.
Mr. George’s karate training began when he was 12 years old. He has spent over 25 years perfecting his technique and teaching others. In 1989 and 1990 Roger won first place in the Georgia AAU Karate Championships, making him the Georgia AAU State Champion. In 1989 he became a member of the AAU/USA National Karate Team. In 1995 Roger was appointed as a member of the American JKA Karate Team representing the US in the World Shotokan Championship in Sunderland, England in September 1995.
Roger’s self-defense background is augmented by the police work he performed from 1978 until 1990 in Boca Raton, Metro Dade County (Miami), and Fulton County (Atlanta). In 1983 he became a National Certified Police Instructor, and as such certified the Boca Raton Police Department in defensive tactics and sidehandle baton instruction. He currently conducts training in sidehandle baton, defensive tactics, and tactical handcuffing techniques.
Since 1990, Mr. George has been producing numerous Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) state champions. His program has drawn the attention of Shotokan guests from around the world such as Stan Schmidt of South Africa (July 1994) and several other guests from England. Mr. George has hosted specialized training sessions and has developed and conducts karate intersession camps. Mr. George continues his own training under Senseis Kawasoe, Kase, Naito, and Shirai through the World Shotokan Institute.
Garner Karate-Do is a member of the American Shotokan Karate Federation (ASKF).
RANKS
All new students begin as a white belt, 10th kyu. There are two groups of rank within Shotokan karate; the ranks below black belt are the 10th through 1st kyu, or circles; the levels of black belt are 1st through 10th dan, or terrace.
TESTING
Testing for rank advancement is conducted normally at least quarterly. There is a nominal fee for testing to cover the administrative costs. Any student may test, provided they are members in good standing. Students will be advised by their instructor if they are ready to test for the next rank. Some instructors do not permit students to test unless it has been approved by their sensei.
Students testing for the next kyu rank must have at least 3 months of instruction before testing. At the lower ranks it is normal for students to be able to test every quarter. However, after 6th kyu the amount of time required increases to perfect increasing difficult techniques. Many students ask how long it takes to become a black belt. Obviously the answer varies from student to student, but a dedicated student can earn black belt rank in as little as 3 years.
Students are tested on several things:
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Kata (formal exercise of several techniques in a pattern)
- Kihon (Proper method for performing techniques)
- Kumite (Practice fighting with a partner)
- Knowledge of custom, courtesy, and language.
Students are observed by a panel of certified examiners who determine if the student meets the criteria for advancement. All of the certifier's comments are recorded so the student can learn from the experience.
