What are the training times?

We train on Wednesday evenings and are open every week except a usual 2 or 3 week break at christmas time.

Where do I go?

Please refer to the location page for map and address details

What do I wear?

• Come wearing loose fitting clothing such as a tracksuit, we will find you a spare jacket from the club supply to wear until you deicide to buy your own.
• We don't wear anything on our feet when on the mat but it's useful to have a pair of sandals or flip-flops to wear when you're off the mat for any reason.
• Remove all hard or metallic items such as jewellery and watches.
• Make sure your clothes (and yourself!) are clean, you will get very close to people and smellyness is not appreciated!

Japanese Flip Flops "Zorri"	Judo Suit "Judogi"	Judo Belt "Obi"

What can I expect?

A friendly hello!

When you get to the center please make yourself know to Des, pictured here on the left. Des is the club Chairman and usually sits at the table with the register. He will answer any questions you might have and make you feel welcome. You don't have to worry about paying for the first few weeks, but if you want to join the club then you will need a license. Des will take care of this for you.

Training!

It's a physical sport so a certain level of fitness is required. You will learn how to fall, submit and roll properly to avoid injury. We also believe in the Judo For All philosophy and no matter what your physical disability we will help you get involved in judo in some way. There are many blind or partially sighted judoka and if you are a wheelchair user you can get involved in judging and theory coaching.

Discipline

Although we do like to have fun at our club, it's important that we maintain traditional Japanese discipline, don't feel worried if you don't get it straight away, no-one will expect you to. Here are a few tips that will help you on your way.

• 'Dojo' is the japanese name of the room containing the training mat, please get used to bowing whenever you enter or leave this room
• 'Tatami' is the japanese word for 'mat', again you should bow whenever you leave or join the mat
• At the beginning and end of the class all students line up in grade order and bow to the sensei, follow everyone else and you'll be ok
• Listen carefully for the words 'Hajime' (This means start) and 'mattae' (This means stop)