I started training in 1980 under Shihan Steve Arneil (9th Dan), Kyokushinkai Karate.

This was still at a time when karate was taught in the traditional Japanese methods (something students training today might find interesting!). The fighting was full contact, and the training was very intensive. This included running bare feet in the snow!

I graded to 7th Kyu under Shihan Steve Arneil, before, like most people in their late teens, thought that drinking, women and music were more important then karate.

In 1998 I was watching my daughter, Lauren, at Sensei Paul Elliott’s North Heath Lane Dojo, and was immediately impressed by his training methods, and a style of karate that I hadn’t seen before.

After a brief conversation with Sensei Paul I realised that I wanted to start training again, and was looking forward to learning all about Wado-Ryu Karate.

I started training in January 1999, and Sensei Paul allowed me to continue from my previous grade (even though it had been many years since I last trained in a dojo).

I found it difficult at first to forget the things I had learnt whilst training under Shihan Arneil, as the 2 styles are very different. I quickly learnt the differences between Wado-Ryu and Kyokushinkai. I also learnt that it is easier to know something, than it is to actually do it.

I worked my way through the grades, learning a lot of new things with each one.

I was impressed that Wado-Ryu put emphasis on speed, and avoidance, and I immersed myself in learning as much as I could.

I started coaching the juniors at the Tanbridge School Dojo in 1999. This was an interesting experience as you get to learn a lot about Karate by teaching it to others.
Mostly you realise how much you have still to learn, as watching Sensei Paul, you understand the gulf between yourself and your instructor.

I have attended various coaching courses run by The National Coaching Foundation, as well as courses run by Sensei Paul Elliott. I am also a qualified Sport Therapist.

I was awarded my 1st Dan, after grading on 16th November 2001. The grading panel consisted of Sensei Paul Elliott (6th Dan), Sensei Phil Smith (4th Dan), Sensei Dean Woodason (3rd Dan) and Sensei Alex McGregor (3rd Dan). It meant a lot to me that I was able to grade in front of my instructors.

I realised that achieving 1st Dan is another part of my Karate learning, yet there was so much more to learn!

I successfully graded for 2nd Dan in December 2003 and more recently for 3rd Dan, in front of Sensei Gary Swift and Sensei Paul Elliott.

I hope that I can pass on some of what I have already learnt to other students, both juniors and seniors.

I also have an interest in learning traditional martial arts weapons, and have attended a tonfa course run by Sensei Alex McGregor, and I am teaching myself both the Jo and Bo.

Look out for the next generation of Skates Karateka, as my daughter Lauren is a junior 2nd Dan and my son Jack is a junior 1st Dan.

Sensei Andy Skates 3rd Dan (IIST, ITEC, RAW Dip.)
Horsham Karate Club

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