American Kenpo Schools in Georgia

[Bill Smith]

Does anyone know of any American Kenpo schools in the Augusta (Richmond Co.) or Martinez/Evans (Columbia Co.) areas in Georgia? I'm going on vacation there for a few weeks and house hunting there too.

Any information would be great.

Yours in Kenpo,
Bill Smith

 

[Mark Weiser]

School Name:Robert Ray Kenpo Karate Address:2164 Fountain Square
Snellville, GA 30078-3196 Phone:770-979-6900 Head Instructor / Rank:Robert Ray, 6th Deg. Black Belt Style:Ed Parker's American Kenpo Associations:IKKA, CKF, US Martial Arts Assoc. Description:Mr. Ray teaches the complete Ed Parker Kenpo curriculum, as it was being taught at the time of Mr. Parker's death in 1990. We are the only professional school in Metro Atlanta under the Richard "Huk" Planas / Lee Wedlake (8th Degree) lineage. Originally trained in Tae Kwon Do (1972-79), Mr. Ray has 27 years experience in Martial Arts, including extensive tournament experience and training in both the Tracy Kenpo system and Ed Parker Kenpo.Website:Robert Ray Kenpo Karate

School Name:Thousand Dragon's Kenpo Address:
121 Jeanine Way Augusta, GA 30909 Phone:706-667-8542 Head Instructor / Rank:Kenny Gonzalez, 1st Deg. Black Belt Style:Ed Parker's American Kenpo Associations:CKF Description:A direct student of Mr. Lee Wedlake, Jr.

School Name:American Kenpo Karate of Georgia Address:995 Hawthorne Ave. Athens, GA 30606 Phone:706-546-8851 Head Instructor / Rank:Tim Kinney Style:Ed Parker's American Kenpo Associations:AKTS Email Address:Mr. Kinney

School Name:Keith Mathews Kenpo Karate Address:7850 Cumming Hwy, Suite 300 Canton, GA 30115 Phone:678-493-3810 Head Instructor / Rank:Keith Mathews Style:Ed Parker's American Kenpo, American sport Karate Description:A "different" approach to Karate.Website:Keith Mathews Karate

School Name:Tracy's Kenpo Karate AddressO Box 2111
Mableton, GA 30126 Phone:404-456-0015 Head Instructor / Rankedro Bennett Style:Tracy's Kenpo Associations:Tracy's Karate Description:Serving Metro Atlanta Website:Mr. Bennett's School

School Name:Jade Tiger's School of Self-Defense Address:153 S. Liberty St.Waynesboro, GA 30830 Phone:706-799-4604 Head Instructor / Rank:Tyrone L. Tablada Style:Ed Parker's American Kenpo, Chinese Kenpo, Escrima, Jui-Jitsu, Chuan Fa Associations:North Carolina Kenpo Alliance, BKF, Chinese Kenpo Association Description:We offer authentic self-defense training based on 23 years of Martial Arts Experience and 10 years of Military Service. We foster a family environment based on hard work and discipline. We are located in The Body Right Fitness Center and offer 3000 sq. ft. to train in. E-Mail:Mr. Tablada Website:Jade Tiger's Website

School Name:Willow Way Kenpo Address:409 Bourne St.
Smyrna, GA or 4486 Calumet Dr. Kennesaw, GA Phone:404-975-8301 Head Instructor / Rank:Bart Mitcham Style:Tracy's Kenpo Associations:Tracy's Karate

School Name:Eastern Kenpo Karate Society Address:
P.O. Box 38 Milledgeville, GA 31061 Phone:912-452-5883 Head Instructor / Rank:Brint Berry, 6th Deg. Black Belt Style:Ed Parker's American Kenpo Associations:UKKA, AKKS, UKKF, IKKI, WKKA

School Name:American Kenpo Karate Productions, Inc.Address:
2241 Idlewood Rd. Tucker, GA 30084 Phone:770-493-8970 Head Instructor / Rank:Robert Quinn, 4th Deg. Kenpo / 5th Deg. Arnis Style:Ed Parker's American Kenpo, Remy Presas' ArnisAssociations:AKKS, IMAF Description:I received my 3rd degree from Master Parker in 1988 and after his passing was promoted to 4th under the WKKA organization. I'm a first generation student of Grandmaster Remy Presas and presently hold the highest rank in the southeast in Mr.Presas's organization.

School Name:Jim Thompson's Kenpo Camp Address:4413 Buchanan Hwy.
Dallas, GA 30132 Head Instructor / Rank:Jim Thompson Style:Ed Parker's American Kenpo Associations:AKKS

School Name:Octagon Self Defense Address:1385 Highland Ridge Rd.
Smyrna, GA 30082 Phone Number:770-402-2394 Head Instructor / Rank:Tony Niebank

 

[teej]

Where did you get your info on the "Thousands Dragon Kenpo" in GA? Now it is very possible that there is more than one Kenny Gonzalez in Kenpo. However........

The last I heard Kenny Gonzalez was in the Tampa, FL area. This Kenny Gonzalez is not and never was a direct student of Lee Wedlake Jr.

Years ago, this Gonzalez did attend a few weekend Kenpo seminars where Lee Wedlake was ONE of the instructors.

You can check Lee Wedlakes family tree and again, there is no Kenny Gonzalez listed anywhere.

FYI,
Teej

 

[Rick Wade]

It looks like he got his information off of Kenpo Net
Under the studio net link
V/R

Rick English

 

[teej]

Looks like you are correct Mr. Wade. Be safe on your vacation and please give my regards to Saddam.

From my brief viewing of the KenpoNet school listings, it appears that some people submitted incorrect information obviously to legitimize themselves. Also, I saw some schools listed that have changed owners and some others that are no longer in business.

My best advice to Mr. Smith is to visit the schools in the area you will be in and ask a lot of questions and watch some classes. Go home and verify any lineage claims. You know all this already I am sure.

The school Mr. Weiser listed as Robert Ray Karate is no longer owned my Mr. Ray. The new owner, Rich LePage is a fine black belt. He has an excellent black belt staff. Rich is a black belt under Lee Wedlake Jr. A good group of people there and you will learn good Kenpo from them.

Yours in Kenpo, Teej

 

[Rick Wade]

Thank You very much. The beach here is great but the water isn't.... well there is no water. And there isn't any beer here either, that whole Muslim thing and respecting their culture. Sometimes it's tough being respectful. Anyway back to the topic.

I have always had luck going and talking to other MAist in the area visit the school explain the situation and then ask for a referral. I pretty much know all of the instructors in my area not just the Kenpoist and I know who is good and who is not. If someone comes to me and says hey I LOVE TKD (lol) and I just moved here can you recommend an instructor I will tell him who I think is good in the area and then offer him a week or two of free Kenpo classes (well we don't charge for classes anyway but that is besides the point). But the point is if he or she is really interested in TKD that is where they will go, If they are open to any style and see what you have to offer is effective them you have yourself a brand new dedicated student. just my 2 cents.

P.S. Kenny Gonzalez isn't teaching in Georgia anymore he is is Tampa Florida.

V/R

Rick