Our Instructors

My name is Dave Roper and I was born on November 5th 1983.

In September 2000 I joined the British Army; I served in the PWRR for 5 years. I was part of the Battalion Boxing Team. After leaving the Army in 2005, I looked locally for Boxing Gyms without success.

I took up the martial art Choi Kwang Do in Dorking with Mr Tipson. After my first class I was hooked. I was promoted to Assistant Instructor in March 2006. In 2007, I graded for my 1 st degree Black belt in Atlanta, USA, in front of Grand Master Woo.

I was promoted to Chief Instructor in May 2007, and opened Leatherhead CKD on July 3rd. In June 2009 I successfully tested for my 2nd Degree Black belt, and have been promoted to Associate Examiner.

Thank you for taking the time in reading my profile.

Pil Suhng!

Hello,

My name is Kirsten Roper. I work full time at a Primary School in Reigate as an HLTA in charge of Pastoral Support.

I started Choi Kwang Do in July 2007, when the school opened. Leatherhead CKD is an enjoyable, welcoming community of people, who continually aspire to become better, more confident martial artists. I have already become a more confident person, and this shows through all aspects of my life.

Leatherhead CKD has allowed me to meet people with all different backgrounds and experiences. It has also given me the privilege of training, supporting and teaching them.

Pil Suhng!

I have always been interested in Martial Arts and studied judo as a child and kung fu for 5 years in my twenties. I became disillusioned with what I perceived to be more of money making organisation than a hobby and sport and stopped as business and family responsibilities increased.

Having always wished to return to martial arts I tried a couple of local kung fu clubs but was not satisfied with their approach. As soon as my son Luca at 4 was able to start training, I renewed my search and was recommended to try Mr Ropers' school, LCKD. I was very impressed from the first lesson, with a great mix of study of the art and games serving to hold the young students attention and the emphasis based on sound core values. I was so impressed that I joined myself followed by my partner and recently our young daughter.

After just over a year of study and being extremely happy with all aspects at LCKD, I was fortunate enough to be able to become an Assistant Instructor. I have found the club to be very friendly with high quality tuition. The CKD training syllabus makes the art easily studied at all ages with minimal strain to the body. I would whole heatedly recommend LCKD to anyone regardless of age and ability.

I have moved from Poland to England in 2006. In Poland I used to train Judo for about 4 years. After a year since I moved in I have started to look for another martial art. Judo was all about grabs and throws, and so I wanted to try some punching and kicking. I decided that I want to do Taekwondo, and I started looking around for a school. A friend has told me that there is one in his school. It turned to be Choi Kwang Do – A completely fresh concept martial art partly based on Taekwondo. Towards the end of 2007 I participated in my first class.

Since the very beginning I liked it, and after half a year I became an Assistant Instructor. Now I come to nearly all training sessions, and I improve my condition and flexibility. I have also gained much self-confidence, knowing that I can defend myself. I am planning to keep doing Choi, and hopefully get to black belt and beyond.

Having an office based job, the middle age spread was increasing my waistline a little more than I’d like. I was looking for something to reverse the trend. I also had a son approaching his teens that I needed to get off the PlayStation by finding a fun activity we could do together.

I joined a gym but found that watching TV whilst riding a bike wasn’t working for me and activities I could do with my son were restricted. With Dave’s offer of two free classes to try out CKD, there was nothing to lose. One class was enough. I cancelled the gym and sign us both up.

We were instantly made welcome by a great group of people and within the first 12 months, my fitness level improved markedly and my waist shrank 2 inches. We’re having fun, keeping fit and in the process learning a few things to defend ourselves with.

The threat of not going to CKD is also a great way to make sure my son has completed all his homework!

Pil Suhng!

I first heard of Choi Kwang Do as a word-of-mouth recommendation from another parent. Their sons all practised at the Leatherhead school and I thought it would be a great activity for both my boys to get involved with.

After sitting on the benches watching my boys get put through their lessons for a couple of weeks in the childrens classes, I realised I was one of the few parents watching who didn’t go to the adults classes during the week so I thought I’d give it a go ... I was hooked after my first lesson!

The other students are great fun, from a variety of walks of life ... You get an hour’s workout a few times a week, you’ll practise the defense drills with similar build, similar grade students, you’ll progress along the specially designed belt programme and you can hit the pads/bags as hard as you like to get rid of the days stress and aggression knowing no-one gets hurt.

My fitness has improved, my flexibility has improved and I have this great new self defense skill. After a year of training, I was extremely pleased when Mr Roper asked me to become an Assistant Instructor.  Since then my 2 daughters have joined as well and my wife’s now running out of excuses not to come ...

I studied Jeet Kune Do a number of years ago but found it hard to find the time to devote to it. I have always wanted to develop martial arts skills and in early 2009, I started to look around for a local school that I could get to fairly easily. I found Leatherhead CKD and spoke with Dave Roper. An initial lesson was arranged for me and my twin daughters, who were then 13, and the rest, as they say, is history. We are now in the senior belt ranks and are looking forward to taking our Il Dan black belt gradings in the near future.

I am a solicitor based in the City. I travel abroad a lot and often work long hours and to tight deadlines. I find that Choi Kwang Do helps me deal with the pressure of my work - it's the most amazing stress buster! It also helps keep me fit and gives me the opportunity to train with a really great group of people from all walks of life and of all ages. We all share a love of Choi Kwang Do and it shows in the camaraderie and fun that all members enjoy. The skills that can be developed are far beyond what I ever thought possible and it gives me peace of mind to know that my daughters are confident that if ever they are involved in a threatening situation, they will be able to take care of themselves.

I cannot speak highly enough of the Instructors and my fellow Assistant Instructors and Team Leaders (I have recently become an Assistant Instructor myself). Dedicated, helpful and enthusiastic people who are a pleasure to spend time with. Without the tireless dedication of Dave and Kirsten Roper, the school wouldn't be what it is today. I would enthusiastically recommend Leatherhead CKD to anyone without reservation. Oh, and my wife recently joined so that's the whole family!

My name is Jakub, I was born in 1998 and I come from Poland. When I was 4, I already loved martial arts, and I had started Judo. I moved to England when I was 8, and was very sad to leave my Judo behind! My dad got the job as caretaker at St. Andrews School. When my brother and I found out that Choi Kwang Do classes were held there, we joined straight away.

I joined LCKD on 29th November 2007 and I attend every single class and help with the children's classes, which is really fun. My Instructor, Mr Roper is very proud of me, and he has promoted me to Team Leader. I get to take the stretches, and help to teach with the children’s classes.

Mr Roper thinks that I am so confident, that he even lets me take some of the drills in adult classes! I really like all of the instructors, and they are all very proud of me.

Pil Suhng!

My name is Aidan, I am 11 years old.

I started Choi when I was 10 years old and have been doing it for long time. I started it because my friend who goes there Jakub persuaded me to do it.

I go to the adult’s classes and the kids classes they are both fun. I got to be a team leader because I was nice and helpful in the kid’s classes. I like every body at Choi because they are all nice to me and I am nice to them.

Pil Suhng!

My name is Alex Robinson and I was born in December 1997. I first found out about Choi because the chief instructor, Mr Roper, works with my dad and told us we should join because it can get us very fit and active, guess what, it has. I was made a team leader in August 2010 and I am hoping, for my 14th birthday, to get a full blue suit so I can become an assistant instructor.

I really enjoy helping out at the kids classes on Saturday and Sunday. Everyone at Choi is very nice, supportive, and enthusiastic about everything I do, especially the instructors and team leaders. If you are looking for something that can get you active and give you the knowledge and skill to defend yourself from an attack in the street, CKD is the martial art for you, I’m sure of it!

Pil Suhng!

My name is Bryony Turpin and I was born in September 1996. When I was a little girl I saw a Martial Arts Demonstration at a school fair - I was amazed at the precision and skill that they showed as they sparred. I wanted to learn but ended up concentrating on keeping my grades up at school.

I first heard about Choi Kwang Do from my Godfather, Mark Evans (Head Instructor - Tipson CKD). I started Choi in September 2010, and became hooked after my first lesson. When I first joined, everyone was so friendly and welcoming, by the time I was given my Do-Bok I felt like I belonged.

Choi has helped me a lot. I feel more confident knowing that I can defend myself properly; it's a good way of relieving stress too! I now attend nearly every class and help out with the Children's Classes. I hope to continue with Choi and hopefully get to Black Belt and further.

Pil Suhng!