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Face-to-face training is under way as Cumbria Karate Academy starts enrolling new students throughout Allerdale. Set up by Head Instructor Gordon Harrison for people from five upwards and at all levels, the instructors have four clubs running in Cockermouth, Egremont, Workington and Whitehaven. Gordon started training back in 1984 with his mentor, Doug James, and with Doug’s eventual retirement, Gordon decided to create his own Karate club now known as the Cumbria Karate Academy. He said: “Over the years I’ve taught thousands of students. Many have moved on to achieve great things. I thoroughly enjoy it and passing my knowledge on and watching children come out of their shells.”
Cumbria Karate Academy have been offering virtual classes on Zoom during all three national lockdowns. Under normal circumstances, the club would be run from its bases in Whitehaven, Egremont, Cockermouth and Workington but with gyms closed during lockdown, they are beaming their karate instruction into children’s homes. Head coach Gordon Harrison, who has over 30 year’s experience in the martial art said: “The kids that are coming on are enjoying it. “We’ve kept challenges going to keep them motivated and interested, kick challenges and step challenges. They’re doing a lot of world wide competitions.” Students can still compete and challenge themselves during the pandemic. They perform a kata, or routine of moves, in front of a camera and it is sent off to accredited competitions.