Kenshin Ryu Karate
Meet Our Instructors
Sensei Dan Smethurst (6th Dan) - Club Chief Instructor/Founder
Dan started karate in 1987 under the instruction of sensei Dave Warburton
Over the years he achieved several top three rankings in regional and national fighting (kumite) competitions and has competed internationally in the WUKF World Championships.
In 1992, at the age of eleven, he passed his black belt 1st Dan and started assisting in the instruction of cadets under Sensei Dave Warburton. It was from this point that his love of instructing others started being honed and developed by sensei Dave over a number of years. He ranks Sensei Dave as the most influential person in his life after his parents.
In 2001, he passed his fighting Judge qualification and, in 2002 became a fully qualified fighting referee and kata judge. He now holds the rank of " SENIOR REFEREE"
Dan has a wealth of instructing experience both within karate and his professional career.
He regularly attends courses both nationally and internationally and is currently a 6th Dan. He is fully qualified and holds the senior instructor rank within the SSKA and has enhanced level CRB checks, is fully insured and is fully qualified in First Aid.
In his personal and professional life Dan is an economics graduate, He is a professional instructor in conflict management, self defence techniques in addition to instructing First Aid and the use of defibrillators. He is also is a fully qualified teacher gaining a PGCE in 2010, and in 2011 completed his Qualified teaching and Learning Status with the institute for learning.
" I Love teaching karate. I take so much pleasure in seeing Kenshin Ryu students achieve the best for them as an individual, whether thats getting a stance correct for the first time or winning a world championship. The club is my extended family of which I am incredibly proud"
Sensei Garry Lucas (3rd Dan) - Senior Instructor
Kingsley Club Instructor
I was a late starter in karate, starting with the SSKU in my early 40s. Along with my two daughters we joined Kenshin Ryu in 2015.
Several years ago I had a total hip replacement which prohibited me from competing, but did not stop me from training and progressing to third dan.
Since joining Kenshin Ryu I have completed my the 3rd dan, become a fully qualified instructor, and completed SKU judges qualifications. You will see me instructing and training regularly at all of our clubs.
When I'm not in the dojo, it's normally because I am working in my full time job, as an airline pilot, I am a captain with a major U.K. airline flying the Airbus A320 family.
Karate has served me proud as something I started primarily to keep me fit. It has turned into a passion, coaching and instructing my daughters and our students and refereeing and judging at national events. It is something I really enjoy doing with my two daughters deepening our own bonds and developing great friendships with those around us.
Sensei Hannah Lucas (3rd Dan) Assistant instructor
Initially I started karate at 6 years old, joined the SSKU and progressed to first dan at 12 years old.
Since joining Kenshin Ryu I have completed my the 2nd dan, and completed the SKU junior instructors course. You will see me instructing and training regularly at all of our clubs.
I have competed since I was 7 years old winning medals at an wide range of local and national tournaments both in kata and kumite, and regularly partner my sister in pairs and team events where we have also achieved a reasonable level of success.
Mia Lucas (3rd Dan) Assistant instructor
Initially I started karate at 5 years old, joined the SSKU and progressed to first dan at 10 years old, at the time I was one of the youngest black belts in the country.
Since joining Kenshin Ryu I have completed my 2nd dan, again at what was the minimum age, and completed the SKU junior instructors course. I am possibly one of the youngest official karate instructors in the country. You will see me instructing and training regularly at all of our clubs.
I have competed since I was 7 years old winning trophies and medals at a wide range of local and national tournaments both in kata and kumite, and regularly partner my sister in pairs and team events where we have also achieved a reasonable level of success.
Sensei Abbi Gleave (1st Dan) Junior Instructor
Sensei Simon Phillips (2nd Dan) Club Instructor
Since Studying karate from the age of 6, I am an avid fan of the traditional aspects of honour, discipline, courage and respect karate holds as a core element of its study, while maintaining good levels of fitness, I am keen to install my passion onto other students as they move through the grades. It is rewarding to watch not only other students ,but also family members learn, practice and have their hard efforts rewarded through the process of grading. The three key element of Kata(forms), Kihon (basics) and kumite (Fighting) have constantly required commitment that challenges even the most talented of students and I am no exception. I have always committed to achieve the highest standard in all areas but tended to be more efficient at Kumite, however , strive to excel in Kihon as this covers the core principles that makes all the other elements work. Ive always valued intensive demanding lessons/drills and continue to do my best in all core aspects of training and have high standards from myself as well as those I influence as an instructor, peer and representative of the club
