Sensei Dave particularly stands out for the importance he places on physical preparation and conditioning, seeing karate as part of a much broader journey of fitness, technique and personal development.

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His knowledge of karate is exceptional — there seems to be no kata he cannot perform on command — and he teaches across every level, from mixed classes of children and adults through to advanced Dan preparation.

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His Sunday classes have become legendary within the club and are one of the best ways to prepare for Black Belt and further Dan gradings. They are demanding, technical and physical, bringing together fitness, stamina and karate in a way that prepares students for what is expected at the highest levels.

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What also makes Sensei Dave such a special instructor is how attentive he is to the people he teaches. He notices tiredness, changes in mood or when someone is simply having a difficult day, without ever making a fuss about it. He quietly adapts, encourages and keeps the lesson — and the karate — flowing.

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Genuinely compassionate and deeply committed to his students, Sensei Dave is an integral part of both the karate community and the wider social community around it.