The York Wing Chun Kung Fu Association (YWCKFA) has been training students in Foshan Wing Chun since 1997 under the careful guidance of Sifu John Bates, with support from Sifu Steve Leah and Sifu Chris Smith.
Sifu John has been training Wing Chun most of his adult life under various instructors but most notably Sifu Derek Frearson of The International TaiJiQuan, Shaolin and Wu Shu Association (ITSWA) based in Leicester. After moving to York around 1999 it was a natural progression for Sifu John to establish his own club and students. From small beginnings we now have regular training in York and Ripon, private lessons and regular seminars. The YWCKFA is now a strong, independent and respected part of the York and wider area Martial Arts scene.
We teach a robust method of Foshan Wing Chun which is from The Grandmaster Yip Man lineage. We pressure test what we teach and continue study through traditional training methods, practical hands on drills, scenarios and sparring to better understand the depth of the forms that we also practice.
We keep our Wing Chun fun, interesting and challenging. It’s about the journey not the destination and Wing Chun should make sense from day one and build progressively to form a complete system. The club has a comprehensive syllabus and gradings which guides and ensures you miss nothing out from the great depths of Wing Chun Kung Fu.
Today the club is run with the support of Sifu Steve Leah in York and Sifu Chris Smith in Ripon. Together our aim is to pass down the traditional forms and give clear and practical understanding of the secrets they hold. Through regular practice not only will your knowledge of Wing Chun grow but so will your fitness level and overall well being as we combine the traditional with modern training ideas and exercises.
Sifu Chris Smith is a lifelong fan of the martial arts. In particular he has been training Wing Chun for over 25 years learning Hong Kong style Wing Chun first before training at YWCKFA Foshan style Wing Chun for the past 15 years deepening his knowledge and skills. Has a broad experience of Shaolin Kung Fu, Capoeira and mixed martial arts study. Sifu Chris now runs his own Foshan Wing Chun group in Ripon bringing his vast experience and traditions of Wing Chun to the area.
Sifu Steve is also a life long student of Martial Arts. He achieved Black Belt in Karate in his early Martial Arts study before turning to Wing Chun. He has studied Wing Chun now for over 30 years and currently teaches Foshan Wing Chun at YWCKFA. He also holds a Judo Black Belt and assists in teaching at his Judo club in York.
We look forward to training with you!