Chief Instructor of WGKA Langwarrin 

Sensei Darren - 3rd  Dan

 

My first experience in martial arts was as a kid way back in 1978, with my uncle Sensei Graham Fountain in Taekwondo.   We trained for 2 years and after he moved interstate I started training with his cousin Sensei Richard Fountain (Shotokan).   Eventually I moved onto karate (after becoming obsessed with the Karate Kid!) and joined Goju Ryu Australia in 1986, (Kyoshi Warren Ross 8th Dan).

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I  fell in love with the sport and after training hard I could see the results - my self-confidence, discipline and coordination all improved (and I kind of felt like I was living my Karate Kid dream!)  Along the way I dabbled in other styles like kickboxing and Martial Arts Weaponry training before  obtaining my black belt (shodan-ho) in 1990.  Following this, I started teaching kids in the same year at Chelsea Heights, Karingal and Mt Eliza dojo's under the guidance of Kyoshi Warren. 

 

After taking a few years away from the sport to focus on work and family I returned to karate in 2010 and joined Goju Kai for a few years before joining WGKA.  Once again, my passion ignited and I threw myself back in and successfully graded for my 3rd Dan Black Belt (Sensei) in 2017.  I'm now working towards the next grading (Shihan 4th Dan).

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Over the years karate has given me loads of life skills and I especially enjoy the challenge of teaching others and taking a student from beginner to skilled martial artist.   This passion is what's fuelled my desire to start my own Martial Arts School, Zanshin Kai Australia (WGKA Langwarrin). 

 

Zanshin Kai is fully affiliated with WGKA (with 11 schools across Victoria and NSW) and will teach to the club's curriculum.  I have a Level 1 Coaching accreditation with the Australian Karate Federation, as well as a Level 2 First aid Training Certificate and Working with Children check.