About Us

Byron Shire Shotokan Karate-Do and Self Defence is a passionate martial arts academy active in and around Byron Bay in the Northern Rivers NSW Australia. With seven weekly classes in Bangalow and one on one sessions all over the Northern Rivers, covering all skill levels from beginners to advanced, our Academy offers an atmosphere of both intense training and camaraderie under the expert tutelage of Chief Instructor Sensei Jean Boussard, Fourth Dan Shotokan KaseHa with over 50 years martial arts experience, and Instructor Sensei Ben Ruble, Third Dan with over 25 years martial arts experience, assisted by a few very good First Dan and Second Dan Black Belts: Sempai Jason Miles (Nidan), Fabio Quijano (Shodan), Stephen Lawrence (Shodan), Pierre Albertini (Shodan), Michelle Davis (Shodan).

Each class is led in a safe and friendly environment by a fully qualified Karate instructor who will go through stretching / warm up / fitness exercises, Kihon (techniques without partner), Kata (choreographed sequence of techniques against multiple attackers) and Kumite (sparring exercises). We teach and practice traditional Shotokan Karate under the legacy of Frank Nowak Sensei and Hirokazu Kanazawa Kancho. Advanced classes incorporate the realistic teaching of Practical Self Defence (PSD).

We are affiliated with Kase-Ha Shotokan Karate Australia  (KSKA) under the guidance of our Chief Instructor Arie Farcas Sensei (7th Dan) and in Australia Senseis Mark Johnson, Mark Smith and Terry Raftry all 6th Dan. As a member of the Australian Karate Federation (AKF), our tuition and Diplomas are officially recognized.