T S U N A M I   M A R T I A L   A R T S

Our Instructors

Paul Pretty
​4th Dan
CHIEF INSTRUCTOR 
Welfare and Safeguarding Officer for school
​

The School Chief Instructor is Paul Pretty (4th Dan) who has trained extensively in both Karate and the Yang Style of Tai Chi.  

Paul is a very experienced instructor and martial artist having started his martial arts training back in 1983.  In 1990 he was selected by Sensei Asano to represent England as a Kata Competitor in the European Championships.   

Having also studied in depth a number of other arts such as Aikido, Jodo, Wing Chun, Tae-Kwon-Do and Eastern healing arts Paul, and all of the instructors, continue to learn to this day by training regularly with other high graded senior instructors.  Paul still takes regular private lessons with world renowned instructor Steve Rowe, 9th Dan.

​To contact Paul directly please use the contact form below.

James Marks
INSTRUCTOR
2nd Dan

Dipali Vallabh
INSTRUCTOR
2nd Dan

David Pretty
INSTRUCTOR
1st Dan

Dave Ludlow
TAI CHI INSTRUCTOR

Paul Allen
INSTRUCTOR
2nd Dan

James Holt
INSTRUCTOR
2nd Dan

Ajay Mepa
INSTRUCTOR
1st Dan​

​Avanti Sapre
TAI CHI INSTRUCTOR

Our Qualifications

---

Our School actively promotes the achievement of recognised professional qualifications for Martial Artists. It is not enough to just have a high grade to teach a class – one must have training in coaching, although obviously all of our senior instructors are also high graded Black Belts! Our school runs an instructor training programme developing good quality instructors who can teach at the school and we often have senior instructors that attend our seminars and special courses.

The recommended qualifications for coaching are the National Vocational Qualification – Sport and Recreation (coaching) awards. NVQs are recognised nationally and internationally. They are subject to a rigorous quality system to ensure that they are awarded properly, fairly and without the influence of any politics. The awards can only be given by people who are themselves NVQ qualified assessors through assessment centres that are accredited by the national Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA).

NVQs are different to many other qualifications where you only have to demonstrate knowledge of theory. They are based on your ability to demonstrate that you can do the job by being observed by a qualified assessor.

They are related purely to coaching abilities and are therefore separate to the Dan / Degree grading process. Perhaps most importantly they are recognised by the people training, parents of the children, School and Leisure Centres.

Our Affiliations

---

Our school is registered with Shi kon Martial Arts, and MASA (Martial Arts Standards Authority) ensuring that all instructors have recognised qualifications, insurance, CRB checks and follow a set of standards when teaching. 
​Our School also works with NEST (National Education System for Training) to ensure high standards of administration.

Martial Arts Standards Authority MASA

National Education System for Training NEST

Shi Kon Martial Arts

You may contact our Chief Instructor and Safeguarding officer Paul Pretty directly to discuss non-admin related issues such as guidance on training, progress, safeguarding etc.  Please use the email form, although if your matter is urgent you may call directly on 07827 337 503