JKA Bass rock opened its doors to the people of Gullane and surrounding areas on 7^th June 2021.  We had a fantastic response from old faces and new and from there, our club has continued to go from strength to strength.

We quickly realised that our students were keen to attend classes more than once a week so opened at our second location, Dirleton Kirk Hall at the start of August 2021. 

At the end of August, our students were treated to a course led by Sensei John Deans5^th Dan JKA, part of the JKA Scotland Technical Committee, followed by a very successful grading for the students.  The students left the dojo that day buzzing about how they were going to improve their training and how pleased they had been to be so successful.

On the 9^th of October, JKA Scotland held its first national course and Dan grading since pre lockdown. It was heartening to see so many of our brown and black belts taking part.  Special mention has to go to Mike Mitchell who was awarded the status of Shodan after a very successful Dan Grading.  An achievement in itself, but when you bring into the equation Mike’s age, a very youthful 74 years, and the oldest student to achieve the level of Shodan within JKA Scotland, it really was a very special occasion.  Local and national news caught hold of the story and Mike received so many congratulations from students around the globe.  The BBC news story about him received almost 60,000 hits, Instagrammers beware!

We had our much deserved Christmas break, a little earlier than usual as the pantomime was due to appear at the Village Hall.

January 2022, started with a few covid restrictions, but the students were eager to get back into the dojo.  From there, we have had a few national events, kata courses, qualification courses and squad training.  These have been well supported by our students, both young and old.

2022 will offer JKA Bass Rock students many opportunities to increase their karate skills and knowledge with many courses available for the first time since pre-Covid-19 Lockdown.  It’s going to be a fun karate year for all.