Join

Want to Join Kendo?

The best way to start kendo before you go and jump right in would be to observe one of the practice session first. Afterall, you need to know what to expect and what will be expected of you.  It is recommended that you observe one of these sessions first. (See Practice Info for time and location).

Try to stay through the entire session if you would like to get a good understanding of the full spectrum of practices. If you arrive late or leave early, you may miss out on some of the important aspects or etiquettes required. Practice will roughly go according to the following format:

Time into practice	What is happening?
0-5 minutes	Bowing In
5-30 minutes	Warming Up (UCSD Session will include footwork exercises)
30-35 minutes	Gearing up in armour
35-80 minutes	Basic and/or technique exercises
80-115 minutes	FREE SPARRING
115-120 minutes	Bowing out
Times and activities shown are approximate and may vary from session to session.

After the session, you may approach the head instructor or ask one of the students about approaching the instructor for permission and instructions on how to join.

Want to Sign Up RIGHT NOW?

If you don't want to attend as an observer and would like to join the kendo class directly, (or if you have already observed and would like to join now) you have 2 options.

1. Via UCSD (Recommended for beginners) 

Sign up via the UCSD REC Department.  Attend the Saturday class only. Once registered, mark the first day of class on your calendar and be ready to begin your training in kendo. 

There are 4 opportunities to join per year as dictated by the UCSD quarter system. The benefit to this class is that you will begin as novices along with a group of other beginners. Yamamoto sensei personally leads the beginner instructions and the class progresses at a very fast pace. Additionally, the UCSD fees covers you as a Rec Class student of UCSD so you don't need to pay dojo dues or federation membership if you are only practicing at the Saturday session. 

For your first day at practice, you can wear regular street clothing as you would wear to the gym. (Do not wear hakama yet -- this will hide your footwork and prevent the instructor from pointing out techniques you need to work on). If you have a shinai, you can bring it... If not, bring $25 to purchase one one the first day of class.  They are first come first serve.

Continue to sign up via UCSD for subsequent quarters until the head instructor deem you ready to attend the Tuesday practice for the intermediate/advanced students (will usually take anywhere between 2 to 4 quarters)... 

2. Via the Dojo (Tuesdays, Thursdays: 8:30p-10pm; Beginners classes are Thursdays only.) 

To sign up as a member of the dojo, Beginners classes are Thursdays only.  No equipment required for beginners, other than shinai.  To practice with the intermediate/advanced practices requires instructor approval.  Must be an AUSKF member.

By joining via the Dojo, you will be expected to join the flow of practice without much additional instructions. 

Children welcome, but please speak to an instructor about your child's age first.