Martial Arts Kapiti Coast

Groundwork Demonstration by Area Coach

Club history...

Originally founded in 1971 by Des Sharp, Sergeant Jim Weekes and Ralph Chicktong, the Kapiti Judo Club has had a long association with the Kapiti Region. Initially operating from the Paraparaum Wrestling Club Rooms, Paraparaumu Domain, then moved as the club increased in membership to the Anglican Church Hall in Hinemoa Street. Then shifted to the Paraparaumu Memorial Hall around 1980.

The three Judo black belts successfully ran the club accommodating a range of ages from children through to adults. Des Sharp had an active involvement in Judo in New Zealand at a local, regional and national level. This included running the local club, monthly Wellington region Red & White Tournaments, annual judo camps for approximately 120 children, being chief organiser of North Island and National Championships from 300-600 competitors for many years.

In 1995 Des Sharp retired and his daughter Karen Parker (1 st Dan Black Belt) who commenced with the club in 1973 as a junior continued the club’s operation. Current coaches include Lloyd Tarrant (2nd Dan Black Belt), Norm Cook (5th Dan Black Belt), Mark Gosnell ( 1st Kyu Blue Brown), Steven Roberts (2nd Dan Black Belt), John Adair (1st Kyu Brown Belt), John Hillier (1st Dan Black Belt), Ian Pickersgill (2nd Kyu Blue Belt), with additional member and parent help.

The club today...

Throwing in Action!

The Club today is extremely fortunate to have the expertise of all the current coaches and parents participating to learn with their children and assist in club development. The wealth of experience in judo they bring to the club is invaluable.

Kapiti Judo Club over the years has produced many Wellington Area and National Level champions. Currently we have many families with several members doing judo. Locals who learnt judo in their childhood and teenage years are returning to the club passing on their knowledge and enjoyment of the sport to the younger generation. As of June 2011 we have around 100 members.

We have a strong competition group who enter many Area and National competitions with several national champions. Success at different levels is rewarding to the members and an inspiration for the junior members of the club.

Currently we are training 3 nights a week with saturday morning training for extra competition levels members.

Our future...

The club has enjoyed consistent membership over the years with good growth. We now have permanent training facilities which is encouraging new members to come and give Judo a go. The club is encouraging 4 - 60 year olds to try a new 12 month sport.

We aim to expand the club to a larger premesis to accomodate increasling membership with extra facilities.