Karate instructor Boyd Ammons works with three of his students. The family-oriented class has gone over well in Haywood County.
Karate instructor Boyd Ammons works with three of his students. The family-oriented class has gone over well in Haywood County.
Lead instructor Boyd Ammons began Ren Bu Kan Shotokan Karate classes, co-sponsored by the Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department, last September at the Old Armory.
Ammons began with three of Kenny Cooper’s students after Cooper discontinued his class. Ammons has seen notable growth since he began teaching. He currently leads 36 students in the discipline he says is “non-violent and passive-oriented in nature.”
He attributes his success to his students, the support he receives from the recreation department and his faith.
“They walk in with a smile and they walk out with a smile, and that’s when I know I’m doing things right,” Ammons said.
Ammons strives to give his students an increased ability to focus that they can use not only in class, but also in other areas of life.
“It’s a discipline. People who don’t fit in in softball, basketball or soccer, fit in here,” Ammons said. “There is the team element, but there are individual expectations, too.”
It’s not all discipline in Ammons class, though. He said he strives to teach, but having fun with his students is his main objective.
Ammons has been studying Shotokan Karate since he was 13 years old. In 1984, Waynesville opened up the first Ren Bu Kan school in the United States.
The Japanese Karate Association, South Atlantic Karate Association, regulates the discipline for integrity. However, this particular school and style are from the Vicenza Italy school run by Sensei Pietro Zaupa, the Olympic karate coach in Italy. Zaupa tests all students who are to receive a black belt ranking, either in Italy or at their location.
Ammons went to Italy to be tested six years ago. He is now a second-degree (Nidan) black belt. He said the experience was “great.” Ammons added that he and some of his students are in the process of planning a trip to Italy this fall, “to study with the master.”
Ammons’ students test every three months or whenever they are ready. In only eight months, his students have progressed at a rate that is impressive to Ammons.
In May, 17 students tested and advanced. Allie Ammons, Fatima Ammons, Brittani Briggs, John Britt, Christina De La Cruz, Ethan Dinwiddle, John Mull, Carol Peterson, Neil Peterson, Kara Ammons, Cynthia Briggs, Shannon Cross, Franklin De La Cruz, Josh Hoyle and Christopher Peterson are all now holding the honor of a yellow belt. Dustin Ammons and J.R. Mull Jr. have advanced even further, earning an orange belt and a green belt, respectively.
The new club also has already been to two local competitions, the Jerry Dula Asheville Championship Open Karate Tournament and the Zeigler-Sanders Open Karate Tournament in Brevard. At the Jerry Dula Open, Ammons earned first place in kata, third in kumite and third in weapons. Adult student Christina De La Cruz placed fifth in kata and second in kumite.
Ammons had seven other students competing that day. While Ammons is graced with a wealth of experience and Christina De La Cruz has competed previously, those seven students had their first tournament experience.
Ammons niece, Kara Ammons, 10, fared quite well, earning first place in kata and first place in kumite (sparring). Ammons daughter, Allie Ammons, 6, earned third place in kata and in kumite.
J.R. Mull, 12, took fourth in kata and third in kumite. Neil Peterson, 7, placed fourth in kata. Briggs, 9, earned second in kata. Adult students Carol Peterson and Cynthia Briggs also placed well. Briggs took second place in kata, while Peterson took third.
At the Zeigler-Sanders Open, six students competed. Franklin De La Cruz, 9, and Britt, 11, competed for the first time. De La Cruz earned fourth in kata, and Britt took third in kata and third in kumite.
For Ammons, it is difficult to say where the family ends and the community begins. He encourages family involvement and is a good role model for this approach.
His daughter began formally training in the current class last fall. Shortly after that, Ammons’ wife joined. She is now the club president and secretary.
Ammons’ sister, Christy Plemmons, brings her daughter. Ammons’ brother also has joined. This family-oriented instructor would also like to get his sister-in-law, Dena McSpadden, who he studied with at the Cahiers school to join the Waynesville effort. The family already has plans for McSpadden’s young son, Hunter, to begin karate in about two years when he is 4 years old.
Other students are making this sport a family affair. Carol Peterson participates in the class with her two sons, Neil and Christopher. Shannon Cross spends time with her son, Jared Stockton, training in Ammons’ class. Christina De La Cruz and Franklin De La Cruz are another mother-and-son pair enjoying the sport together. The class also has a grandfather-and-grandson pair, John Mull and J.R. Mull, Jr.
The Haleys will be the newest addition. “My mom is going to start,” student Rebecca Haley proudly announced.
Haley has been in the class for only one month, yet said she likes “everything” about the class and that karate is better than soccer and baseball.
“It’s good exercise,” said Gayle Haley.
Her daughter then whispered in her ear. She smiled and added, “ And Rebecca wants me to join her.”
Haley’s grandmother, Jimmie Haley, said that the draw to the class is Ammons’ approach to teaching. “It’s not competitive,” Jimmie Haley said. “You don’t have any pressure. You get the exercise, but they can go at their own pace.”
She said that Ammons expects all of his students to respect one and another.
“It’s a lot of fun she wants to come to every practice,” Gayle Haley said.
Ammons holds classes at 5 p.m and 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Fridays.
Ammons allows his students to set their own schedules. They can attend either class or both classes. Students come as often as they like and progress at their own pace.
Patricia Hoyle and her husband, Jimmy Hoyle, have been pleased with the progress their children, Joshua, 14, and Heather, 9, have made. The Hoyles began the karate class in March.
“Josh has done well, becoming a yellow belt in such a short amount of time,” Patricia Hoyle said. “And Heather, she enjoys it. It helped her coordination.”
On Aug. 24, the karate club will host the Waynesville Open Karate Tournament. A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit the children of the North Carolina Masonic Oxford Home for Children.
As an added incentive to learn social skills and the martial arts, children who have completed the DARE program and can present their certificates are invited to a free month of lessons with the Ammons. The karate program also offers family discounts.
For more information on the program, call the Old Armory at 456-9207.