Since 1967
About
Our dojo is no ordinary gym. It’s a safe, friendly space with a curriculum for life. So much more than a kick and a punch.
philosophy
Training at Samurai is life-changing. It strengthens the mind and body and builds fundamental skills for life.
Whether it’s the 4-year-old who develops concentration, the teenager who grows in confidence, the twenty-something who cultivates grit, or the mature adult who builds strength and agility – we care about our members as martial artists and as human beings. At Samurai we respect and support everyone’s individual abilities and goals.
Our dojo encourages and promotes the core values of martial arts: continuous self-improvement, perseverance, discipline and respect. We have a deep appreciation of our training environment – the dojo, the ring, the forest, the mountain, the beach, or on the field.
Each lesson is specific and conscious, showing respect for your opponents, for your master, for the dojo, for life.
That is training at Samurai.
“I’ve discovered that karate has so many benefits for children – like better discipline, more motivation, and a LONGER attention span.”
As a mum and occupational therapist, I’m amazed at the key benefits karate offers for school readiness: bilateral integration, core strength, balance and left/right discrimination, building large muscle groups and improving gross motor skills. Karate kids are not only learning a beneficial sport, they’re having fun and improving the tools that are necessary for early childhood development.”
Our Classes
Karate for adults & teens
Karate for children
Boxfit
Kickboxfit
Warriorfit
Kimura Shukokai Karate
Live a Better Life
Kimura Shukokai is our style of karate, which is directly descended from the Okinawan masters. It means ‘the explosive release of energy’ and it strives to achieve the greatest impact with the least amount of effort. The secret, is in the breath. Correct breathing enhances physical performance, focuses the mind, builds concentration and strengthens resolve. This is also important for our kata, which is the Japanese word used to describe co-ordinated sequences and movement patterns. Correct breathing in kata allows you to improve speed, footwork and precision. We believe that kata lives in the spirit of the gesture and not the gesture itself. Every technique has these principles at its core.
quality training
Our Senseis
What makes our dojo different is the quality of training and caring attitude of our instructors. We take an active interest in the wellbeing of each of our students, from age 4 to 74, and respect their individual goals. With numerous international awards and achievements among us, we happen to love what we do.
“That which we persist in doing becomes easier to do. Not that the nature of the thing has changed but the power to do so has increased”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Sensei Bruce van Rensburg
| Martial art | KSI / Boxing |
| Since | Age 21 |
| Level | 6th Dan KSI |
| Highest accolade |
Kata & Kumite Double Gold KSI Open European Championship |
| Claim to fame | Lived through a Bear Grylls survival course |
| What keeps you training | Passion |
| What makes a successful karateka | Effort |
| Vice | Chocolate |
| Top value |
Purpose
|
| Birthday | 25 September |
| Day job | Principal of Samurai Dojo |
| Hobby | Camping & adventure |
“Everyone has a plan until they get hit”
Mike Tyson
Sensei Bradley Park
| Martial art | KSI |
| Since | Age 21 |
| Level | 6th Dan KSI |
| Highest accolade |
Team Kata Gold medalist KSI World Championships |
| Claim to fame |
Ran the Comrades marathon
|
| What keeps you training |
Fascination with breath and the body
|
| What makes a successful karateka | Hard work |
| Vice | Whiskey |
| Top value |
Adding value
|
| Birthday | 16 April |
| Day job | Software developer |
| Hobby | Sports. All sports. |
“I don’t care if you’re the most powerful cat in the room. I will judge you by the way you treat the least powerful”
Tim Minchin
Sensei Rob Acton
| Martial art | KSI and other styles |
| Since | 2003 |
| Level | 5th Dan KSI |
| Highest accolade | Kata 5th round World Championships |
| Claim to fame |
Designed and published own tabletop game
|
| What keeps you training |
Love of learning
|
| What makes a successful Karateka | Perseverance, honesty and a touch of madness |
| Vice | Almond croissants |
| Top value |
Objectivity
|
| Birthday | 6 May |
| Day job | Advocate |
| Hobby | Tabletop gaming and guitar |
“Overcome space, and all we have left is here. Overcome time,
and all we have is now.”
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Sensei Charlie Hinde
| Martial art | Sankukai / KSI / Jiu Jitsu / Arnis (Escrima) |
| Since | Age 5 |
| Level | 7th Dan KSI |
| Highest accolade |
Kata gold medalist KSI World Championships 2023 |
| Claim to fame |
Cycled the Camino through the French Pyrenees
|
| What keeps you training |
Quest to improve efficiency of motion and power
|
| What makes a successful karateka |
Perseverance
|
| Vice | Cadbury’s Wholenut |
| Top value |
Humour
|
| Birthday | 12 July |
| Day job |
Information security
|
| Hobby |
Tech & travel |
“There are no limits, only plateaus”
Bruce Lee
Sensei Cameron Froud
| Martial art | KSI |
| Since | Age 9 |
| Level | 4th Dan KSI |
| Highest accolade |
Kumite Bronze medalist KSI World Championships |
| Claim to fame |
Stuntman
|
| What keeps you training |
Striving to be better than yesterday
|
| What makes a successful karateka |
Attitude
|
| Vice | Peanut butter |
| Top value |
Loyalty
|
| Birthday | 9 September |
| Day job |
COO at Sexy Socks
|
| Hobby |
Movies & exercise |
“Simplicity is the key to brilliance”
Bruce Lee
Sensei Rafael Pieterse
| Martial art | KSI |
| Since | Age 9 |
| Level | 1st Dan KSI |
| Highest accolade |
KSI World Championships 2023 |
| Claim to fame |
100m /200m/800m runner for Western Province
|
| What keeps you training |
Striving to make the ordinary extraordinary
|
| What makes a successful Karateka | Respect, Spirit and Energy |
| Vice | Bakers’ Lemon Creams |
| Top value |
Respect
|
| Birthday | 23 March |
| Day job | ETA Sports Science Student & Karate Instructor at Samurai Dojo |
| Hobby | Hiking and swimming |
OUR ROOTS
Since 2010
Outreach
Since 2010, Samurai Dojo has been a strong supporter of Capricorn Primary School and the Vrygrond community. Learning karate has had a positive impact on tension and hostility levels at the school. This has helped the students become more settled and focused in the classroom, and more confident and disciplined on the field.
“We’re privileged to see many of the learners grow in physical, mental and emotional strength through hard work and dedication in their training.”
SENSEI BRUCE VAN RENSBURG
Confidence • Respect • Control
Samurai Dojo
Dojo H0urs
Scheduled classes Monday to Saturday