about us

Westwood Karate Academy was established in 1993 by Alan and Carol Parrish, with the aim of teaching traditional karate to the highest standards to people of all ages. We teach Shotokan Karate, the most popular style of karate in the world today today.

meet your instructors

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ALAN & CAROL PARRISH

Alan began training in 1974 and was a senior student at the dojo of Japanese masters, Keinosuke Enoeda sensei and Masao Kawasoe sensei.  He has taught classes at Enoeda sensei's world famous Marshall Street dojo and has taught alongside Kawasoe sensei on international seminars.
He is a former regional and national champion, and has represented the U.K. in competition all over the world, the highlight of which, was winning Gold in Egypt. After retiring from competition he was appointed England squad coach by Kawasoe Sensei.

In 2015 he graded to 6th dan with the World Traditional Karate Organisation, and is currently joint chief instructor of Traditional Shotokan Karate U.K. While training in Japan In 2019, Alan was graded to 7th dan by Akihito Isaka sensei.

Carol began training in 1988 and has graded to 4th dan.  She has also had a successful competition career, winning national and international championship medals, including Gold at the 2001 WTKO World Championships in New York. She was a senior instructor of Traditional Shotokan Karate U.K. and regularly taught on the TSKUK courses.
Charlie Tarr
5th dan
TSKUK Squad member.
Charlie started training with Westwood as a 6 year old in 1999.  Among many competition successes, he was a member of the winning team at the 2016 WTKO European Championships and won the gold medal in kumite at the 2018 WTKO International Competition in Toronto, Canada. He became a professional instructor with Westwood in 2012 and passed his 4th dan grading in August 2018.
In April 2024 Charlie graded to Godan with TSKUK
Mason Gill
4th dan
TSKUK Squad member.
Mason has won medals at three different World Championships. His proudest moment was winning individual kumite gold in Turin in 2011. He became a professional instructor with Westwood in 2016, and passed his WTKO 3rd dan grading in February 2019. Later the same year, he became WUKF European Kumite Champion (21-35 years).
In April 2023 Mason graded to Yondan with TSKUK

instructor QUALIFICATIONS

In addition to being qualified black belts, our instructors are
  • Fully Insured
  • DBS checked
  • First aid trained

club activities

Training is available 7 days a week with our top team of qualified black belt instructors, and members also have access to regular special classes and events.
  • REGULAR BELT GRADINGS
  • SQUAD TRAINING
  • FREE ASSOCIATION TRAINING COURSES
  • INSTRUCTOR TRAINING
  • ONE TO ONE PRIVATE TUITION
  • SEMINARS WITH WORLD CLASS INSTRUCTORS
  • COMPETITIONS AT CLUB, NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL LEVEL

school partnerships

In addition to our regular classes, we have also taught after school karate classes exclusively for the pupils of these local schools

Darlinghurst School, Leigh-on-Sea.
Thundersley Primary School, Thundersley.
Kents Hill Junior School, Benfleet.
Grove Wood Primary School, Rayleigh.
Blenheim Primary School, Leigh-on-Sea.
Chalkwell Hall School, London, Leigh-on-Sea
Westcliff High School for Girls, Westcliff-on-Sea

AFFILIATIONS

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Westwood Karate Academy is affiliated to Traditional Shotokan Karate U.K. and members are licenced and insured through this body.
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TSKUK is affiliated to the World Union of Karate Federations
" All the sensei are so patient and helpful, Stuart and Caitlin have been members for three years now. I joined last christmas and we all love it. A great family friendly club "
Nikki Day