East Cape Shotokan-Ryu
Grahamstown
ECSR’s Grahamstown dojo was established in 2004. Our Hill Street Dojo serves as the Honbu Dojo for both ECSR and United Shotokan-Ryu.
Beginners’ classes commence in February/March and July/August each year. Beginners should be 7 years of age. Children 5 & 6 years of age will be accepted on provision that a parent also joins them for training. Our rates are affordable, and we offer family discounts for more than one member per an immediate family.
Class schedule
Beginners
Hill St Dojo, 17:15 – 17:50 Tues & Thurs: Gary Grapentin, Maureen De Jager, Elvis Sinam
Hill St Dojo,17:15 – 17:50 Mon & Wed: Alex Holland, Tanya Poole
Novice
Hill St Dojo, 17:50 – 18:30 Tues & Thurs: Gary Grapentin, Maureen De Jager, Elvis Sinam
Hill St Dojo, 17:50 – 18:30 Mon & Wed: Alex Holland, Tanya Poole
Intermediate & advanced
Hill St Dojo, 18:30 – 19:15, Tues & Thurs: Gary Grapentin, Maureen De Jager, Elvis Sinam
Hill St Dojo, 18:30 – 19:15, Mon & Wed: Alex Holland, Tanya Poole
Gary Grapentin
ECSR Head Instructor
Gary has practiced Shotokan karate since 1985 and is the head instructor for East Cape Shotokan-Ryu. He first began instructing karate in Port Alfred in 1995. Gary is a founder member of United Shotokan-Ryu (USR) and also serves as Chairperson. Concurrently he serves as President of the United World Karate (UWK) General Karate Commission in South Africa and was inducted into the International Shotokan-Ryu Karate-do Shihankai (ISKS) in 2017.
In addition to attending seminars with notable South African instructors, Gary has also had the privilege of training with Kanazawa Hirokazu Sensei, Abe Keigo Sensei, Kagawa Masao Sensei, Murakami Manabu Sensei and Andre Bertel Sensei. In 2016 Gary was graded to rokudan (6th dan black belt) by Sensei Koos Burger.
You can contact Gary Grapentin via WhatApp or the form on this page. The website for the club is at ecsrkarate.co.za/
ECSR dojos
East Cape Shotokan-Ryu: Main dojo
Venue: Hill Street Dojo, Masonic Complex, Hill Street (Near the corner of Hill Street and African Street)
Instructors: Gary Grapentin, Maureen De Jager, Elvis Sinam (Tues/Thurs) & Alex Holland, Tanya Poole (Mon & Weds)
East Cape Shotokan-Ryu Port Alfred
Venue: Girl Guide Hall, Causeway Rd (Opposite the Kenrich Motors Dealership on Causeway Road)
Instructors: Gary Grapentin, Assisted by Kevin Aitchison and Ashton Court
East Cape Shotokan-Ryu Kenton on Sea
Venue: Kenton on Sea Primary School, Kareiga Road (Kariega Rd is the main road leading into Kenton on Sea).
Instructors: Gary Grapentin
Rhodes University Shotokan Karate Club
Venue: The Hangar (Situated on campus at Rhodes University in the lane behind the Media Matrix Building)
Instructors: Garu Grapentin, Murray Millin and Lutho Singata
East Cape Shotokan-Ryu Alicedale Karate Project
Joza Karate Club
Venue: Joza Indoor Sports Centre, Extension 6, Joza & Tantyi Community Hall, Grahamstown
Instructor: Mzwandile Matebese