3-6 August 2026 Summer Gasshuku - Duke of York's Royal Military School
2026 marked Washinkai’s first four-day summer Gasshuku since 2023, and the event took place at a new venue: the Duke of York’s Royal Military School in Dover, Kent.
What was karate like in the 1980’s?
It could have been like 4th Dan Sensei Pete Saunders’ experience!
The photo is taken at the 1982 Za Zen Kent championships against the Irish Army Rangers. This was about the time that I also met Sensei Neville Smith, 8th Dan, Deputy Chief Instructor of Washinkai Karate. (Sensei Pete is second from the right in the photo.)
Why should I attend a summer course?
The Association is extremely grateful to Sensei Pete Saunders for selecting the prestigious Duke of York's Military School in Dover for our 2026 Summer Gasshuku
Over the years, Washinkai has been very fortunate to have superb venues to train in over the summer months. The majority of times venues have been in private schools. Some will remember Port Regis School, Bradfield College, Bryanston School and finally, Milton Abbey School with its superb 'Capability Brown' gardens overlooking the school.
Lydd Course - Sunday 12 April 2026
Promoted as a general karate course for all students, the course at Lydd on Sunday 12 April transformed into a complete history of the export of karate from Japan for Kent and Surrey Club Instructors .