Seaford Karate Club
Sensei Martin Dean 5th Dan
Martin ‘Demon’ Dean 5th Dan
Martin Dean originally started karate at Tideway School, Newhaven in 1981 but after three months he decided it wasn’t for him. After talking with friends at school, at the age of 14, he then joined Seaford Karate Club in 1985 and started training in Shotokan karate under Sensei Steve Earl (3rd Dan) at the Rugby Club hall at the Salts recreation ground in Seaford. Sensei Earl was then the A.S.K.A. Openweight Kumite champion and inspired Martin to take his training seriously. Sensei Earl was to remain his instructor for the next 14 years, guiding him to black belt in 1989 at the C&L Leisure Centre in Southall, London, at the age of 18, under the Association’s Senior Instructors Jack Warner 6th Dan, Balwant Singh Sahans 6th Dan and Dan Bradley 5th Dan, and laying the foundations for a traditional and sport karateka.
Steve ‘The Jedi’ Jakes 2nd Dan
Steve began his training back in 1984 under Sensei Paul Burton at his Dojo in Eastbourne. When the club closed he moved to Seaford training under Sensei Steve Earl and then with Sensei Martin Dean since 1999. He passed his 1st Dan black belt later that year in 1999 and his 2nd Dan in 2009 under the ASKA Senior Panel in Birmingham.
‘Lethal’ Lee Finch 2nd Dan
Lee originally started his karate training in 1980 at the age of 5 at Uckfield Leisure Centre under Sensei Ron Silverthorne where he was the ‘golden boy’ of the club. He competed in various competition winning many trophies. When he was 9 his Dad took him to a boxing club alongside his karate for two years. When he was 11 he made the choice to stop karate and continue with his boxing and for the next twelve years he had 44 amateur fights.
Jan ‘The King of Kicks’ Kus 1st Dan
Jan started karate training in his home country of Czech Republic between 1987 – 1990 where he achieved Green belt. He also studied Tai Chi Chuan for a year before moving to England. Once he had settled in Sussex he joined Seaford Karate Club in around 2005. He trained hard alongside Sensei Lee, Matt and Kieran before passing his Shodan black belt in 2013 under the watchful eye of the ASKA grading panel..
Dominic ‘The Terminator’ Tansley 1st Dan
Dom started training at Seaford Karate Club in 2012 after watching the Seaford Invitational Karate Championships. He quickly passed all his grades and was promoted to 1st Dan black belt in 2018 in Birmingham under the watchful eye of the ASKA grading panel. He has always enjoyed marital arts having previously trained in Judo and kickboxing, but his other passion is running. You can often find him running barefoot along the esplanade on Seaford seafront.
Errol ‘The Samurai’ Samuel 2nd Dan
Errol has always been very active, in his younger days he enjoyed playing tennis, cricket and football, then the time came in 1998, at the age of 42, to look for something new. Errol found the famous Barking and Dagenham Ishinryu dojo and started his karate journey. Errol is now retired having previously been a driver for NEXT, DHL and the NHS. In 2008 he went to Japan with the EKF where he trained in Japanese dojo’s and trained alongside Sensei Martin. They both lined up together and fought a Japanese team where Errol had two fights.
Simon ‘Bad Boy’ Baker 1st Dan
Simon started training when he was 12 years old back in 1988 under Sensei Steve Earl when their dojo was based at the Rugby Club near Seaford seafront.
He passed his 1st Dan black belt at the age of 16 in 1992. At the time he was one of the youngest black belts at Seaford Karate Club. Simon has a very sporty background, he has practised Tai Chi, played Cricket for Newhaven and been the Captain for Seaford Rugby Club where he has spent many years, playing and coaching.
Mark ‘The Shark’ Browning 1st Dan
Mark began his training at Seaford Karate Club back in May 2009 when he joined the junior class along with his sister Remy. He has trained under Sensei Martin since the beginning and achieved his 1st Dan under the ASKA Senior Panel at a grading in Birmingham in 2016. Mark is a Senior Medical laboratory assistant in Biochemistry for University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust. He has competed with great success in many karate tournaments around the country, winning a number of tournaments, and represented Seaford at the FSKA World Championships where he won a bronze medal in the Team Kata.
Christian ‘The Hammer’ Hardman 1st Dan
Christian started training in the junior class at Seaford Karate Club back in 2013 when he was only 5 years old. He confesses he’s obsessed with karate and martial arts in general where he spends time exploring other styles of karate through independent discovery on ‘YouTube’. He finally passed his black belt in 2023 after many years of hard, dedicated training.
Liam ‘The Lionheart’ Bray 1st Dan
Liam started training back in 2006 in the junior class. He’s a very dedicated student who takes his training very seriously. He has shown tremendous courage overcoming his learning and physical difficulties but doesn’t let any of that stop him taking part in all aspects of his karate journey. In 2023 he passed his 1st Dan Black belt showing true karate spirit, his improved technique and his loyalty to the club.
Testimonials
I cannot recommend Seaford Karate Club enough!!! My daughter started as a 7yo and she loved it instantly. Sensei Martin has amazing skills and knows how to make kids work hard. He’s great with all ages. Olivia achieved many medals (gold, silver and bronze) alongside team mates in big competitions. Bringing silver from World Championships. It was her hard work and determination under a great leader. After 3 years she is proud to have green belt and still training with joy. We all as a family made friends with other Club members. Atmosphere is great and inclusive. You feel welcome and appreciated. Now her younger sister started training with Seaford Karate Club and she enjoys it very much. We are grateful for dedication and many opportunities our daughters have been given thanks to Seaford Karate Club and Sensei Martin.
– Parent
Both my daughter and son started karate with Sensei Martin at the seaford karate club when they were 6. It has been such a great experience for both, gaining self confidence and self belief, as well as skills and strength. They have trained hard and had opportunities to enter various events and competitions, even the world championships. The team of Senseis are kind and enthusiastic, encouraging the kids(and adults!) to work to the best of their abilities. Really cannot recommend this club enough.
– Anna
I started training at Seaford karate club in 2009 when I was 9 years old and have trained under Sensei Martin since the beginning. I am now 24 years old and at 1st Kyu grade. Over the years I have represent Seaford Karate club at multiple tournaments including in 2017 the FSKA World Karate tournament where I won a silver medal with my team. I started at Seaford Karate Club to learn self defence, but in training I have improved my fitness, flexibility, confidence, courage and strength – both physically and mentally. Seaford Karate club has always been a safe place to learn and grow (for me, quite literally). I have made so many amazing friends through the club and met so many incredible people that inspire me to work hard. I can most definitely say, Seaford Karate Club and Sensei Martin have made me the person I am today!
– Remy
My son started training at Seaford karate club aged 6, I wanted him to increase his confidence in the playground when I wasn’t around. He is now 8 and I can say it has done, in spades! We looked at other clubs first but are so glad we chose Seaford karate. It just has the best atmosphere. It’s super inclusive, the Senseis have a passion for their sport, vast experience and ultimate patience with the younger members of the club. My son trains once a week and is now a red belt. Doing his gradings and passing has been such an achievement for him, he has worked hard and it’s been a real confidence boost as they don’t just give belts away, you have to attain the standard. Seaford karate has a great friendly atmosphere and my son has made friends in both the junior and senior classes. The juniors really band together, and they have great fun as well as learning life-long defence skills and fitness techniques. Having trained in shotokhan myself as a child I’m so happy my son has the opportunity to get this grounding at such a great club. We look forward to many more years of his training here and maybe competitions and one of the masterclasses in the future! Kudos to Sensei Martin for all the effort that goes in to organising all the classes and events, and giving us access to such a great dojo locally.
– Parent
I started training with Seaford Karate Club when I was 5, and I’m still training now at 18. I am currently 1st kyu or brown belt. I am so grateful for the opportunities and experiences karate has given me over the years such as competitions, courses and helping teach the children’s class, but it has also given me life long friendships and shaped me into who I am today. It has provided me with discipline and confidence I didn’t know I had. The people I get the privilege of training with are amazing. Everyone is so kind and accepting it really does feel like our own little family.
– Alex
Joe has been training at Seaford Karate Club for nearly eight years and he is now working towards achieving his brown belt at the next grading. Since Joe has been training with Seaford Karate Club his confidence has grown immensely, it has taught him key life skills such as respect & discipline. Sensei Martin also brings fun elements into the training which makes the sessions engaging for younger students. Joe is not always able to attend both weekly sessions, so being able to ‘pay as you go’ is also a positive. Joe has said he has made some really good friends of all ages at Karate. Sensei Martin & all the instructors are really friendly, helpful, patient & make you feel welcome. Everyone encourages each other, especially when training for grading or competitions. I feel really proud of what I have achieved when I help other students learn & practice their katas & pair work. I look forward to training each week.
– Parent
I’m Harry and I am 13 years old. I started training with Seaford Karate Club when I was 6 years old. In the last 7 years I have managed to achieve my 2 Kyu. This is the second brown belt and 2 grades away from my black belt. I started off in the junior class where I learnt my basic karate moves. This was a fun session where I trained with other people under 10. I have made many friends over that time from other schools and areas who have gone through the grades with me. Although fun you still must work hard to move on to your next belt grade. I felt the grading was very hard at first in front of the panel of black belts but over time Karate has given me the confidence to be able to control my nerves. I learnt that if you work hard in training, you can achieve your next belt. Belts aren’t just given to you for just turning up, I failed my green belt grading, but this has spurred me on and with the encouragement of the Sensei’s I passed at the next opportunity. I think this really helped me to develop my Karate skills. I now attend the adult class where I have always been made to feel welcome, some of my friends have also moved up to these sessions with me. Since I have been at the Karate club, I have attended 2 world championships where I won 1 silver and 3 bronze medals. I have competed in numerous competitions in London, Essex, Kent and Surrey, winning lots of medals. One of my favorite competitions was where I won the Fuku- Go cup in London where I got given a Trophy and a Gold medal. Seaford Karate Club has given me confidence, determination, resilience and has helped me improve my concentration in school. It has taught me to always try my hardest and to be respectful to everyone. I always look forward to going to Karate and I am aiming to achieve my black belt in the next 2 years. This has been made possible by Sensei Martin and the other instructors who give up their time to support and encourage everyone.
– Harry