Ed Pettitt

I began my martial arts training at a young age with Judo at the age of seven, but it was not until my teenage years that a real interest in the arts emerged. At the age of 15, I began training in Shotokan Karate in my home town. Karate was a great introduction to the traditional side of martial arts where discipline and respect are high on the agenda. However, I felt I wanted something a little more immediate and with more emphasis on partner exercises, so a friend and I attended a demonstration of Wing Chun Kung Fu. The demonstration was fantastic and included forms, partner training, chi sao and pad exercises. We joined the next week and attended as much as we could until university courses took us away from the area a year or two later.

I kept up my interest in Wing Chun whilst at college and although I did not have any regular training, I read a lot about martial arts and practised what I had learnt.

I was happy to discover that three years away from regular training did not dent my enthusiasm and on my return from college I re-joined Wing Chun. After a further three years of training I took the plunge and began teaching in 1999.

In May 2003 I began teaching as a full-time profession and in March 2006 my friend and training partner Tony Hollander and I set up WingTchun Schools (England). In August 2006 we became affiliated with the Grandmaster Klaus Brand WingChun system, and in February 2007 we were very proud to be appointed as the UK Head Instructors for Sifu Brand's International Academy of WingChun.

1980	Began training in Judo
1989	Introduced to Shotokan Karate
1990	Discovered Wing Chun Kung Fu
1999	Started teaching
2000	First Technician Level
2002	Second Technician Level
2004	Awarded Sifu title
2005	Third Technician
March 2006	WingTchun Schools (England) formed with Tony Hollander
August 2006	Affiliated to the IAW
February 2007	Appointed UK Head Instructor for the IAW along with Tony Hollander

A Thought for you

WingChun is a fascinating and rewarding martial art which can be enjoyed by men and women of all ages and fitness levels. I teach a wide variety of people from different backgrounds and this makes my job all the more fulfilling. I truly believe that there are lifelong benefits to be had from martial arts training and would encourage those who have often thought of starting, but never taken the plunge, to try WingChun. It could give you much more than you can currently imagine.