At Tathra Karate, we practise the traditional Okinawan style of Goju Ryu karate. Goju Ryu means hard and soft style. It's a complete martial art that unites powerful, explosive techniques with flowing movement, awareness, and mindful breathing. As well as an effective self defence system, Goju Ryu is a rewarding, life-long path to achieving strength, confidence, and focus, while also being part of a healthy and vibrant community.
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Tathra Karate is dedicated to preserving traditional Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate. We are a member of the Australian Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate Federation (AOGKF) and International Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate Federation (IOGKF), the world's largest Okinawan karate organisation with more than 75,000 members in over 60 countries, led by Sensei Tetsuji Nakamura.
Sensei Joseph Falsone, a 2nd Dan black belt with a decade of training under AOGKF Chief Instructor Sensei Joe Roses OAM (8th Dan), has trained internationally in Okinawa, Canada, and New Zealand. Formerly an Assistant Instructor at the AOGKF head dojo in Canberra, he relocated to Tathra in 2025. He has extensive experience teaching karate to all ages and serves as Treasurer on the AOGKF National Executive Committee.
Join us for our first classes on Thursday 27 March
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Age 6 to 12
Thursdays 4.45pm-5.30pm
Saturdays 10.15am-11.00am
Primary school-aged children learn authentic karate in a fun, age-appropriate, and respectful environment.
Fees: $150 per school term (1 class per week)
or $220 per school term (2 classes per week)
Age 13+
Thursdays 5.45pm-6.45pm
Saturdays 11.15am-12.15pm
Teenagers benefit from a rigorous karate curriculum that establishes positive habits in a supportive and encouraging setting. They explore their potential as individuals and develop more advanced karate skills.
Fees: $150 per school term (1 class per week )
or $220 per school term (2 classes per week)
Age 18+
Thursdays 5.45pm-6.45pm
Saturdays 11.15am-12.15pm
In karate we train our mind, body and spirit. Our adult program covers the breadth of traditional Goju Ryu and promotes physical and mental wellbeing as well as confidence in self-defence.
Fees: $220 per school term (1 class per week)
or $280 per school term (2 classes per week)
Traditional Okinawan karate is for life!
Our adult training caters for all ages and abilities, and we tailor our program to meet individual needs.
A dedicated over-55 group program can be arranged, subject to interest.
Tathra Karate offers a pathway from the NSW Far South Coast to the highest levels of karate internationally. As members of the AOGKF and IOGKF, students are offered the opportunity to train with world-class instructors and peers at NSW, national, and international training events (gasshukus) and friendship tournaments, as well as
the IOGKF World Budosai held every four years in Okinawa.
Wear comfortable workout clothes, such as a t-shirt and shorts or trackpants. We train barefoot and leave our shoes in the foyer. Please also bring a water bottle and gym towel.
Contact us to book your two free trial lessons and see if Tathra Karate is for you. After that, if you decide to join, we'll give you a free karate gi (uniform) and belt with your first term's enrolment.
Karate is for everyone. We teach a structured and well-rounded traditional curriculum according to each student's age and level. Goju Ryu training includes full-body warm ups, basic techniques, partner work, kata, self-defence applications, sparring drills, and more.
We recommend attending at least twice a week to see steady progress. However, if you can only make it once a week, you will still benefit!
Our fees for 2025 are invoiced per school term, payable in advance. Mid-term enrolments are charged for the remaining portion of the term only. There are no lock-in contracts or automatic renewals. A modest annual registration and membership fee is also payable to the Australia Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate Federation to cover insurance. This fee varies according to belt level and age.
We hold grading exams two or three times each year. Most students can expect to grade twice a year. We have attendance, goal-setting and belt-tip programs in place in all of our class categories to keep you on track and motivated between gradings.
Miyagi Chojun Sensei (1888-1953), founder of Goju Ryu