Frequently Asked Questions

Will sparring be required?

Sparring, or kumite, is essential for all students at all ages and ranks. Students will be required to wear protective gear (head, feet, hand, mouthguard) during kumite and will be closely monitored.

Do you do tournaments?

Ocean's Edge is investigating local tournaments but has no immediate plans. Tournaments serve a specific purpose and can be a great experience. If students are interested in attending a non-local tournament independently but attached to the dojo, please reach out.

Will we learn weapons?

Ocean's Edge Martial Arts will teach students how to manipulate the bo staff, sai, boken, and nunchaku. There may be the opportunity for additional weapons to be taught at advanced stages. There will not be a separate weapons class at this time, instead they will be introduced throughout the standard training days.

How is this art a blend between Chinese and Okinawan concepts?

We encourage you to read "About the Art" for more information. Also, our primary instructor has a significant background in Okinawan karate and, at times, this influences certain movements.

Why do you mix Japanese/Okinawan/Chinese terminology?

As the art itself comes from both Chinese and Okinawan heritages, this is reflected in the terminology. Some kata have names in multiple languages.

Why do some of the Chinese terms seem to be a mix of Mandarin and Cantonese?

Won Hop Loong Chuan was developed by masters from various regions of China. Some spoke Mandarin, some spoke Cantonese, and some even spoke other dialects. The forms that each master created were named in their own dialects. Some of them even "mixed" several dialects in the naming, possibly to try and hide or obscure the meanings. For example, the name Won Hop Loong Chuan contains both Mandarin and Cantonese words. The Mandarin translation, in pinyin, would be "wan he long quan".

Why do you practice in bare feet and wear a gi if your art is primarily Chinese? Don't Chinese arts typically wear shoes and kung fu uniforms?

The gi is a tradition from our Okinawan ancestry. It is effective and durable for throwing and falling - there's been no reason to change it so it has stayed.

Why do you use an Okinawan belt ranking system?

Although most arts traditionally had no ranking system aside from "years practiced," it has become common for most schools in modern times (especially in the West) to institute some sort of ranking system. The Chinese arts typically use colored sashes, while Okinawan arts typically use colored belts. Since we wear the Okinawan gi as a uniform, it is more appropriate to use belts instead of sashes.

How long does it typically take to get a black belt in this art?

This question is hard to answer, as the answer really depends on the student. All students progress at their own pace and are not tested based on schedules. Therefore, a student's rate of progress depends entirely on how much they practice and how much effort they put into their own training. But as a very rough estimate, it typically takes an average of 3-5 years to achieve the rank of 1st degree black belt (Shodan).

Is Won Hop Loong Chuan a Northern or Southern Chinese style?

Won Hop Loong Chuan's evolution included the incorporation and refinement of other arts (both Northern and Southern), as well as original creations by past masters of the art. Since it contains concepts from Northern and Southern styles it is difficult to label it as either. However, outwardly it can tend to look more like a Southern style (for example, the low powerful stances). Because of this, we sometimes refer to it as a "Central Chinese style." Although this term is not a standard classification of Chinese arts, we find that it helps to clarify the mix between Northern and Southern ideas.

Is Won Hop Loong Chuan a traditional art?

It is "traditional" in that the art is handed down by word of mouth and by example from teachers to students.

However, in some martial arts circles the term "traditional" can be a touchy one because to some practitioners the word carries a connotation of "purity." This can mean "pure" in the sense of a purely Chinese art without any other influences, or it can mean "pure" in the sense that the art is still in the same form as when it was first created.

Sensei Kushubi did modify Won Hop Loong Chaun with Okinawan principles. In addition, the arts have evolved over time, incorporating new information as necessary and discarding old information when it is no longer relevant. Therefore, they cannot be said to be in the exact same form as when they were first created. This, however, is true of almost any martial arts style.