USSD Martial Arts San Clemente

Demo Team, Carnivals, and Tournament Registration!

    First off, a big CONGRATULATIONS to everyone who earned their new ranks last Saturday! Keep up the great work on your road to becoming an awesome Black Belt!

    We've got an action-packed couple of months coming up before the lazy days of summer! For a full list of events, Click Here.

    First off, registration for the 2013 SoCal Summer Grand Championship Tournament has begun! The Tournament will be held on Sunday, June 9^th at Soka University in Aliso Viejo.

    Tournaments are always tons of fun and a great way for students of all ages to come together as a team and improve their Martial Arts skills. Students from studios all over Southern California will come to compete in Forms, Sparring, and Weapons events, in divisions that are split up by age and rank to ensure that competing is a positive and rewarding experience for students of all levels. 

    To register yourself or your child, visit USSD.com or Click Here for hassle-free online registration. Register by Monday, May 6th to get your FREE 2013 Summer Tournament patch! See your Instructor for more info. 

    In other cool news, we're putting together a Demonstration Team made up of students from the Lil Dragons, Juniors, and Teens classes to perform at Truman Benedict's Surf Jam and the Vista Del Mar School Carnival this month. Students of all ranks are invited to join, provided they can attend ALL practice and performance dates. Check your e-mail for the Demo Team permission slip letter or pick one up at the Dojo and return it no later than this Saturday, May 4^th.

    We've got a lot of other great events coming up this spring and summer, including our annual Summer Showdown Dojo Family BBQ, Belt Tests, the Ninja Olympics, and Ninja Camp! Check out the Spring/Summer 2013 Calendar below for a list of important dates.

Download SpringSummer2013 Calendar

   Have a great May!

*UPDATED* Dojo Tournament Divisions and Schedule

  Please Check out the UPDATED Tournament Schedule by clicking here.

  It's almost here, the 2013 Team San Clemente Dojo Tournament, this Saturday, April 6^th. Attached is a printable copy of the Event Divisions, which are made up by age and rank, as well as the Event Schedule. 

    If you signed your child up for the Dojo Tournament but don't see his/her name on the list, please contact us as soon as possible so we can sort everything out and make sure there is room for everyone to compete on Saturday.

Download DOJO TOURNAMENT UPDATED EVENT DIVISIONS

   We'll be sure to post some pictures from the Tournament on this page as well as our Facebook page for you to share with your friends and family.

    Have a great week and we'll see you this Saturday!

Last Week to Register for Dojo Tournament and Ninja Camp 2013!

    In just about a week and a half we'll be holding our Team San Clemente In-House Dojo Tournament on Saturday, April 6^th starting at 10:00 am. This event is always a huge hit and we're excited to bring it back! Not only is it a great chance for kids to have some fun and sharpen their martial arts skills, it's also a great way for their families to get involved and see how the student has improved since they began training. 

    This Tournament will feature Sparring, Grappling, Forms, & Weapons events and is for USSD San Clemente students ages 4 to 16 only. Trophies will be awarded to the top 3 finishers in each division (divisions are split up by age and rank) and it is just $20 to compete in all 4 events!

    Spectator tickets are $4 for adults and FREE for kids ages 12 and under. Since this event will be held in the Dojo, there are a limited amount of spectator tickets available and a strict limit of 5 total per family. If you would like more than five for your family, we can place you on a waiting list and call you during the week before the event if there are any left over after registration has ended. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

    Please be sure to have your child register for this event ASAP and no later than this Saturday, March 30^th Registration forms can be picked up at the Dojo at the front desk or downloaded here:  Download DOJO TOURNAMENT 2013 form    

    Tournament competition is not mandatory for students to earn their next belts, but we do HIGHLY recommend it as students who compete tend to practice more at home and try harder during their training at the Dojo. It's also a great way to teach kids the importance of setting goals and how to work hard to achieve them, and a way for parents to measure their child's improvement. We hope all of our Dojo families will be able to be a part of this fun and friendly competition to help all of our students gear up for the USSD Grand Championship Tournament on Sunday, June 9^th! See you in the Dojo! 

    In other news, if you haven't signed up for Ninja Camp 2013: Champion Spirit, there's still time! This Saturday, March 30^th is the LAST DAY to register for the most exciting event of the year! Grab a registration form at the Dojo or CLICK HERE to learn more information about Ninja Camp and print your registration form. 

    Have a great week and we'll see you at the Tournament!

Dojo March Madness!

   The ball's definitely rolling in the New Year now! Great job to everyone who attended the first Weapons Camp of the year and learned new forms that they can use for competition at the June Tournament! 

    Now that Weapons Camp has eneded, we've still got plenty of big stuff in March. The BIGGEST, of course, is NINJA CAMP 2013: Champion Spirit registration! 

 Early-Bird Registration for Ninja Camp 2013: Champion Spirit started on Saturday and runs until March 9th! This year's Ninja Camp is scheduled for Wednesday, July 31^st through Friday, August 2^nd, from 8:00 am to Noon. Ninja Campers will also get to attend the Ninja Sleepover on Saturday, August 3^rd at 8:00 pm for FREE!
   
    Registration is scheduled to run until March 30^th, but just like every year there are a limited number of spaces. Save $50 when you register by March 9^th! Ninja Camp is open to all students and non-students ages 4 to 12.

    For those who have yet to experience it, Ninja Camp is 3 action-packed days of Challenges, Games, and Fun! Campers learn exciting and effective Defensive and Weapons techniques and compete in other challenges to earn their Ninja Camp Badges and "graduate" as certified Ninjas!

    Check out our Facebook page to see tons of photos from last year's Ninja Camp!

    Each day of camp will also include crafts, puzzles, and a tasty snack. All Ninja Campers will also receive a Ninja Camp 2013 t-shirt!

    Days 1 and 2 of Ninja Camp are held at the Dojo, and Day 3 is held at the park and beach by Ole Hanson Beach Club (North Beach). There, kids will stay active with all kinds of games and challenges down in the sand including the famous Team Sandcastle Building Contest. Later, Campers will enjoy a picnic at the park, followed by an all-out water war!

    Then we finish it all off with the annual Ninja Sleepover! More Challenges, Games, a Pizza Party, Laser Tag, the Bounce Obstacle Course, Pinatas, Martial Arts Movies, and the Ninja Camp Graduation Ceremony, and then it's lights out at the coolest sleepover of all time!

    Besides keeping kids active and entertained during those long summer days, Ninja Camp also teaches the importance of Teamwork, Focus, and Effort and helps build Self-Esteem and Friendships.

    Pick up your registrastion form at the Dojo or click the link below to print your own. Don't let your Ninja miss out on the most fun and exciting event of the summer!  Download NINJA CAMP 2013 forms

Spread the LOVE in February

    We're off to a great start so far in 2013, and the good times just keep coming in February!

    Before we get into all that great stuff, we have to say CONGRATULATIONS to everyone who earned their new ranks at the Belt Tests last weekend! As always, the Instructors are very proud of all of the hard work and determination that our students put in to growing into better Martial Artists. We'll have some photos from the Test below this post and on our Facebook page.

    February is "Couples Month" at the Dojo! Bring your spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend in to train with you in any of our Martial Arts programs for the entire month. Have a little fun with your loved ones and take a few steps closer to reaching those New Year's Resolutions!

    Coming up on Saturday, February 16th is Valentine's Day Ninja Night (A.K.A. Parents' Night Out) from 7:00 to 10:00 pm at the Dojo. Bring your little monsters Ninjas in for a night packed full of great stuff, including a Pizza Party, Games, Prizes, Laser Tag, Bounce Obstacle Course, Pinata, Contests, and more, while you enjoy a fun night out or a peaceful night in. The cost is just $40 per Ninja or only $30 per Ninja if you bring a buddy or sibling! This event is open for all kids ages 4 to 12 and non-students are welcome! Get your permission slip at the Dojo or print your own by Clicking Here.

Download VALENTINE NINJA NIGHT forms 2013

    After the Valentine fun is over, we'll be holding a 3-day Weapons Camp on Tuesday, 2/26, Thursday, 2/28, and Friday, 3/1. This camp will introduce students to a variety of different weapons and basic weapons techniques and forms for competition. Weapons Camp is available to students of all ranks ages 9 and older. Sign-ups begin on Friday, February 1st, and space is very limited.

    It's going to be a fun, action-packed month at the Dojo! Have a great month!    

Year of the Snake Strikes at the Dojo

 

Saturday's All-Ranks Juniors Class

    Happy (belated) New Year! We've been busy making sure we have another incredible year at the Dojo filled with tons of great events and, of course, the best Martial Arts training around. Be sure to click the link below to download a copy of our Winter/Spring 2013 Calendar of Events. It's got all of the dates for Tournaments, Belt Tests, Ninja Nights, Weapons Camps, and more from now until June.

 

Download WinterSpring2013 Calendar

    Speaking of events, this past Saturday was Dojo Photo Day and it looks like the photographers were able to get some great shots of all the students! When the photos are ready, we'll post the link up here and on our Facebook page for you to view and order copies.

     Most importantly, this upcoming Friday is the Teen and Adult Belt Test beginning at 6:00 pm. Teen and Adult Group classes will be cancelled this Friday. If you are scheduled to test, be sure and arrive at least 15 minutes early (5:45 pm) and bring your full Gi and Belt, running shoes/sneakers, and sparring gear.

    On Saturday, it's the kids' turn at the Kids Belt Test at 12:30 pm. The Lil Dragons and Juniors Group Classes as well as all Private Lessons will remain on regular schedule, although we do not recommend that students who are testing attend group classes prior to their test. Parents should drop testing students off 10 minutes before the start of the Test to allow time for the students to get their belts on, stretch, and maybe even get a little extra practice in while they wait for the Test to start. Parents of Lil Dragons students can come back to watch the final portion of the test at 1:30 pm. Parents of Juniors students can come back to watch the final portion of the test at 2:00 pm. Please be on time and don't forget your camera!

    Let's finish January off on a high note so we can get ready to dive into all of the fun in February, including Karate Valentines, Valentine's Day Ninja Night, and a 3-day Weapons Camp at the end of the month! Have a great week!

Happy Holidays!

    Happy Holidays! We hope you're enjoying this time of year with good friends and family and looking forward to what the future holds in the New Year. 

    Big thanks to everyone who chipped in and came out to the Dojo Family Potluck last week to celebrate the end of another fantastic year at the Dojo. Check out some of the photos on our Facebook page.
    
    Be sure and check out the 2012 Dojo Newsletter which recaps some of the highlights of the past year. It includes the Holiday Schedule and hours of operation, as well as some important "save the dates". 

Download DOJO NEWSLETTER 2012

    We look forward to another awesome, action-packed year at the Dojo with you and your family. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year!

Great Work, Team San Clemente!

     Team San Clemente showed up to the USSD 2012 Winter Grand Championship Tournament and set the place on fire! Congratulations to everyone who came out to compete, and whether you got a First Place trophy or no trophy at all, know that your Instructors could not be prouder of all of the Effort, Sportsmanship, Spirit, Determination, and Heart that we witnessed from our students on Saturday. And as always, a huge Thank You goes out to all of the incredible friends and family who came out to support the team... Way to represent!!!

    Definitely one of the highlights of the event was when our very own Mr. Albert Lopez received the 2012 Instructor of the Year Award for all of the Orange County studios. Congratulations, Mr. Albert!!!

    To celebrate everyone's hard work and the end of another awesome year at the Dojo, this Saturday, December 15th will be our annual Dojo Family Potluck  from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm. There will be food, the giant bounce obstacle course, and group photos. All of our students and their friends and family are invited.

    Students should wear their Gis and bring in their trophies and medals for the photos. Afterwards, they can change into more comfortable clothing for some games, a few runs through the obstacle course, and food for the whole family! If you’d like to contribute to the potluck, the sign-up sheet is on the front desk in the Dojo. We’ll need food, drinks, and stuff like plates, ice, and forks. 

    Because we’ll be in full-celebration-mode, there will be no Group classes this Saturday. All Private lessons scheduled before 11:00 am will remain on regular schedule. If you or your child has a lesson scheduled for 11:00 am or later, your Instructor will reschedule it with you as soon as possible.

     Once again, congratulations to all of our competitors! We’ve posted the rest of the photos from the Tournament up on our Facebook page. Thanks to everyone who has already shared with us their awesome photos and videos from the event... Keep 'em coming! See you at the Dojo Party!

Here We Go! Tournament Tips & Important Info

    You know what time it is! Time for the USSD Winter Grand Championship Tournament this Saturday! Tomorrow (Friday), we'll have an open Forms class from 5:00 - 6:00 pm for any of our students who want to come in for a little extra practice. The class is free for students of all ages who are registered for the Tournament. If you haven't signed up yet, you can still CLICK HERE to register today or tomorrow but a late fee of $10.00 will be applied.

    We hope you're all pumped and ready to go, and to help you get even more pumped, we've got some helpful tips to make the Tournament experience awesome for students and their friends and families:

    1) The night before, double check that your gear bag has everything you need in it to compete, especially your Gi top, Gi pants, BELT, and ALL sparring gear (headgear, shin guards, gloves, mouth guard, and groin protector for boys).

    2) Print out those tickets! the cool thing about having them emailed to you is that you can print out multiple sets and keep one in your bag and one in your car just in case.

    3) Double check your event's start time! For most competitors, start times have changed this year, so make sure you know yours and plan on arriving at least half an hour EARLY. That will give you enough time to find parking, warm up and stretch, and get decked out in your gear before it's time to go. For the extra nervous, get there extra early. CLICK HERE for the printable Tournament Guide.

    4) Let's see that TEAM SAN CLEMENTE Spirit! Wear your Team SC shirts (still available at the Dojo), cheer for your friends, family, and other Team SC members, and don't forget to have fun! Remember, more than anything else, we want to see that our students are improving their Martial Arts skills, demonstrating good sportsmanship, and having fun! Winning is fun, but you learn a lot more from losing, so no crying or complaining if things don't go your way (parents, too!). Let's let this be a FUN and EDUCATIONAL experience for everyone!

    5) Don't forget your cameras!

    Let's show them all what we're made of, Team San Clemente! As always, our Instructors will be there from start to finish so if you need any help, grab one of us! If we can bring that Team Championship Trophy home again, our Dojo Family Potluck next week will be that much sweeter. See you Saturday! 

Thanksgiving & Tournament Countdown!

    The end of the year may be in sight, but the action is non-stop! We're only a few weeks away from the USSD Winter Grand Championship Tournament on December 8th at Soka University and so far everyone's been putting in a lot of hard work and improving every week. Let's keep up the great work and bring home the Team Championship Trophy once again!

    First off, make sure you register online before the deadline at www.USSD.com or Click Here (it's fast and easy). Secondly, be sure and make it to as many of your scheduled group and private lessons as possible between now and the Tournament to help you prepare. And Third, don't forget to practice your forms (katas) at home as well as any sparring drills or combos that you've been working on with your Instructors. 

    One thing we'd like all of our students to keep in mind is that winning a nice shiny trophy is not what's most important. The most important thing is that students are becoming better Martial Artists by honing their skills and learning about the importance of discipline, sportsmanship, confidence, respect, and effort. Competition against students from other studios of the same rank and age group is a good way for students to measure their improvement and come together as a team. Tournaments are also a great way for friends and family to show their support for the students and their Dojo. 

    If you have any questions about the importance of regular Tournament competition or how you can help yourself or your child prepare, please see your Instructor.

    On another note, the Dojo will be closed on Thursday, November 22nd for Thanksgiving (We will be open on Wednesday, 11/21 and Friday, 11/23). If you have a private lesson scheduled for the 22nd, your Instructor will do his/her best to reschedule it for you before the Tournament.

    We're very proud of the effort and improvement we've seen from our students in the past couple of weeks since we began training for the Tournament, and we know you're just getting warmed up. Keep it up, and go Team San Clemente!