Stock Shotokan Karate Club, a fixture in Benfleet, Essex since 1976, was founded by Sensei Terry Irving. Initially located in Stock village, the club moved to St Michaels Church Hall in Thundersley in the mid-1980s and operates there today. The name "Stock SKC" nods to its origins and the local Wado Ryu club.
In 2017, Sensei Adam Purkiss took over from Sensei Terry Irving. Adam, a member since 1988 and a long-time senior instructor, carries forward the club's legacy. Affiliated with the Karate Union of Great Britain (KUGB), the club aims to deliver a robust martial arts experience, enhancing self-defence skills, self-esteem, and physical fitness.
Stock SKC welcomes anyone over 6, with no upper age limit. Training happens thrice weekly: separate kids and adult/teen classes on Mondays and Thursdays, and a mixed class on Tuesdays. Whether you're a newcomer or experienced, you’ll find a place here.
Karate is a contact sport, so be prepared for the physicality, despite safety rules. After three sessions, members must get a KUGB licence, offering some insurance cover. The club has no joining fee; pay £6 per session. Three annual gradings are available for all grades up to 1st Kyu, often with participants from other clubs.
Aspiring Black Belts attend Free Black and Brown Belt Courses nationwide, training with top instructors before grading for 1st and 2nd Dan. Higher grades like 3rd Dan require attending national KUGB courses.
Stock Shotokan Karate Club creates an inclusive environment, supporting both beginners and seasoned martial artists in achieving their goals.
