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The Association is extremely grateful to Sensei Pete Saunders for selecting the prestigious Duke of York's Military School in Dover for our 2026 Summer Gasshuku

Over the years, Washinkai has been very fortunate to have superb venues to train in over the summer months.  The majority of times venues have been in private schools.  Some will remember Port Regis School, Bradfield College, Bryanston School and finally, Milton Abbey School with its superb 'Capability Brown' gardens overlooking the school.

Promoted as a general karate course for all students, the course at Lydd on Sunday 12 April transformed into a complete history of the export of karate from Japan for Kent and Surrey Club Instructors .  

Currently on sale via your Club Instructor:

Essentials of Washinkai - this book takes students all the way from beginner to 4th kyu.  Covering a short history of karate, of Wado Ryu, basic kihon, Yakusoku Kumite and Ji-Yu Kumite.  

Advanced Essentials - this is helpful for students from 1st Dan to 3rd Dan.  Covering Ohyo Gumite 11 to 16 and the kata Bassai, Pachu, Niseishi, Wanshu, Tomari Rohai and Anan.

Lionel Zeffert, 5th Dan, Chief Instructor at Andover Karate Club, attended the Referee Course in Leicester on 22 March 2026.

In preparation for the course he read extensively the WKF Rules (downloaded from the WKF Website).  He also officiated at Army, Combined Services and BTKA competitions and events.

This Referee Course focused on qualifying as a Level C (National Level) Judge and Referee in both kata and kumite.  It covered all aspects of the WKF rules as at 2026.  Good instruction was given by Peter Bibby, the Chief Referee of the EKNGB.