Cocoa Beach Karate

Cocoa Beach Karate School is a premier institution dedicated to teaching traditional and authentic Matsubayashi-Ryu (Shorin-Ryu) Karate-Do to students aged 7 and up. Founded in 2002 by WMKA 6th degree black belt, Sensei Des Chaskelson, Renshi, the school is a full member of the World Matsubayashi-Ryu (Shorin-Ryu) Karate-Do Association (WMKA) in Naha, Okinawa, with branches throughout the world. Our mission is to provide a safe and supportive environment where students can develop their physical, mental, and emotional abilities through the practice of karate.

Benefits of Karate Training

Karate training offers numerous benefits, including self-defense, assault prevention, physical fitness, focus, discipline, diligence, commitment, courtesy, respect, self-esteem, and fun. We believe that everyone can benefit from karate training, regardless of their age, gender, or physical ability. Our experienced instructors are dedicated to helping each student achieve their personal best and reach their goals.

Our Programs

We welcome beginners, kids, teens, and adults, and families. We have a special kids program (age 7+ or younger if accompanied by an adult family member) and classes for older kids, teens, and adults. We believe that families can benefit greatly from practicing karate together, and therefore, we offer special family discounts.

In addition to our regular classes, we are also active in the community and regularly conduct assault prevention and self-defense seminars at no cost to locals, many of these in conjunction with the Cocoa Beach Police Department.

Our Instructors

Sensei Chaskelson, 6th Dan, with the honorary title of Renshi, began his karate training in 1987 in New York City with the Ansei Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate USA group and trained there until moving to Cocoa Beach, Fl in 2002, when he founded Cocoa Beach Karate School. He was awarded his WMKA 5th degree black belt by Soke Takayoshi Nagamine in Naha, Okinawa, in 2010 at the 75th Anniversary of Matsubayashi-Ryu, the style founded by Soke's father, O'Sensei Shoshin Nagamine, widely considered to be one of the fathers of modern day karate. In 2016, Chaskelson Sensei was awarded his 6th degree black belt and title of Renshi in Okinawa by the World Matsubayashi Karate-do Assoc. Board: President Yoshitaka Taira, Hanshi, 10th Dan; Toshimitsu Arakaki, Hanshi, 10th Dan; Iwao Tome, Hanshi, 9th Dan & Shihandai Nobuhide Higa, Hanshi 9th Dan; Hanshi. Other active CBK black belts who assist with the teaching include : Jason Christian, Raymond Baldino and Ryan Stack.

Our Location and Schedule

Our school is located at Cocoa Beach Health & Fitness (CBH&F) - 1355 North Atlantic Avenue / A1A, opposite the International Palms Resort. Our weekly schedule includes classes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 5:30 pm.

Fees and Testing Requirements

We offer flexible monthly tuition fees with no registration fee and unlimited attendance for $35 per student. We also offer family discounts and patches at $10 each. Testing fees vary based on rank and are in accordance with Hombu Dojo, Naha, Okinawa. Testing requirements for each rank can be found on our website.