Dawn Venton, 2nd degree Black Belt from Jersey. Her instructor is Roy Macdonald, IKKA Jersey Kenpo Karate. Mr. Macdonald is a first generation Ed Parker student and speaks highly of Dawn. Here is a little something about Dawn.
I had never intended starting Kenpo. In 2005, I was 36 and had taken my 3 children along to Roy Macdonald’s Kenpo School of Excellence in Jersey to start classes; I agreed to try one class and was hooked.
I began training regularly at our club and took the opportunity to travel to training camps and tournaments as much as I could often taking my young family along with me. In 2013 I tested for my 1st black in front of a panel of Jersey black belts and then, in 2016 tested for my 2nd degree black in front of the IKKA Europe panel.
Kenpo has enriched my life enormously. It has led me to visit a number of countries for tournaments and training camps including England, Ireland, The Netherlands, Germany, Portugal, Malta, the US and next year Italy. Wherever I travel the feeling of being with family and friends is unmistakable. I have had the opportunity to train with some amazing instructors who all share their knowledge with passion and enthusiasm.
I assist in our club’s classes which welcomes all ages and abilities including students with learning difficulties. I tailor my teaching to each individual to find the best way for them to understand and enjoy their training.
I thoroughly enjoy preparing the children in our club for competition often relaying the story of my first competition where I was so scared to take part in my first event that I nearly didn’t make it on to the mat! Of course, once I had completed the class I wanted to take part in everything; it was such a buzz!
Our focus isn’t just on the Kenpo but also in each child’s personal development and building a team who supports and encourages one another. Their hard work, dedication and commitment to one another is truly heart-warming.