About VBKA

The Vero Beach Karate Association
Family Oriented Self-Defense and Life-Skills Centers

The Vero Beach Karate Association has been involved in the study and practice of the martial arts for over thirty five years. During that time nearly 400 people, ranging from 10 to 69 years of age, have achieved the Black Belt level. Many have gone on to achieve Second, Third, and Fourth Degree Black Belt status.

Under the leadership of Head Instructor Mr. Willis, a 7^th Degree Black Belt, the school has grown into an large and thriving organization with locations throughout Indian River County. Fields of study include many areas of the martial arts, such as Japanese and Korean Karate, Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Aikido, and Tai Chi, as well as other physical activities such as kick boxing, grappling, boxing, and wrestling. The VBKA instructional team has also studied sports injury prevention/stretching techniques and first aid.

Over the years VBKA has maintained an open door policy to guests and visitors from other styles and disciplines, and its membership has been enriched by this practice.

VBKA members gather at Riverside Park for a "Fun Run."

The VBKA leadership believes that martial arts training can be a wonderful and exciting activity for both children and adults. In addition to the personal rewards of mastering self-defense skills, there are the added benefits of improved health and well-being, gains in self-confidence, and strengthening of character.

The VBKA professionals believe they are in partnership with parents and teachers to help children develop into capable citizens with high ideals.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide a high quality program that will equip people with effective self-defense skills, to advance the merits of life-long fitness through the martial arts, and to enhance people's lives through personal development programs -- all within a wholesome family-oriented environment.

Self-Defense training for a lifetime...

The main goal is to provide a strong and effective self-defense program that can be learned quickly by both children and adults and to equip students with powerful self-defense skills should they need them. While there are many aspects to the martial arts, for example sport competition, VBKA has always ranked practical self-defense that really works as a top priority. All of the VBKA programs, from Tiny Tots classes to Adult training, are designed with this primary goal in mind.

The VBKA Children's Demo Team runs through a formation drill in preparation for a community service performance.

Flexibility is an important
component of one's
overall fitness.

In this picture a
VBKA student, Anastasia
Gabor, demonstrates her
level of flexibiity.
Wow!

Members of the Adult Demo Team gather after a demonstration.
Left to right: Mark Wallach, Mike Rose, Robbie Voyles, Sean Clinton, Casey Myers, John Zambito

Mrs. Zeran (Red shirt on the right)
with members of her Tai Chi class

Mrs. Watkins (middle) with Irene Moody and Michele Knight
after their Black Belt test

Mr. Willis, Head Instructor (top right)
with students after a Black Belt Test

Members of the VBKA Demonstration Team perform on stage
at a VBHS Pep Rally. It was an awesome performance!