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| Brief History |
In the late sixties and early seventies, Bob Denny experimented with various styles in the Japanese arts including Shotokan, Shukukai, Judo and Aikido. During 1979 Bob became involved with WAKO kickboxing under instructor Howard Brown and achieved his sixth belt. Although he enjoyed the training, Bob wasn't interested in fighting and preferred traditional techniques.
During the following years Bob trained with several different instructors who practised Wing Chun and its variations. He enjoyed learning this style and looked towards the Chinese arts. In 1986 he enrolled in a class run by instructor Rico Dokic, 3rd degree Lau Gar under Master Jeremy Yau and found his niche. Bob trained enthusiastically, working his way through the grades and received tuition from Bernard Chung, Master Yau's chief instructor at the classes specifically for brown and black grades. Bob was awarded his black sash by Master Yau and the British Kung Fu Association in 1993.
Late 1993 Bob moved to Cornwall and was approached by existing Lau Gar instructor and ex world champion, Clive Parkinson to run his clubs in Cornwall. After six months at the request of some of the students Bob had helped to recruit, Bob decided to leave the British Kung Fu Association and train with just those students and his family. Gradually students training with Clive approached Bob again and he found himself with a martial arts club and needed advice on affiliation. Bob turned to ex Lau Gar instructor Alan Facer, with whom he had trained for a while and he affiliated the club to Freestyle Sport Karate Association (FSKA). President Alfie Lewis offered Bob his 1st dan Kickboxing qualification in 1995.
At this time Bob commenced training privately under an instructor who had never been with an association or society, but had learned his Wing Chun, Tai Chi techniques and applications after living in Hong Kong. The relationship was based on trust and respect, but sadly he has since passed on.
In the meantime Alan had left FSKA and joined NAKMAS and subsequently Bob followed as they offered a better deal. Bob gained his 3rd degree Lau Gar in 1999, this is checkable under the NAKMAS website on http://www.nakmas.co.uk/blackbelts.html, however Bob decided to move on for the benefit of his students. The other styles Bob taught were becoming more popular and as the students could only be graded on the Lau Gar syllabus, the whole affiliation system and its politics seemed unfair. Bob felt that the Chinese traditional styles complimented and interacted with each other perfectly, thereby eliminating weaknesses. Bob declined NAKMAS' invitation to re-affiliate, having already approached the British Association for Chinese Arts. President Mike Symonds agreed to endorse and copyright the Bac Loong Gar syllabus up to 6th degree. Consequently, Sifu Bob became master of his own style at 6th degree. Unusually for a freestyle martial art, Bob insists that students perform for their gradings beyond 3rd degree.
More recently Bob formed 7th to 10th degree in the syllabus, together with the San Shou Chinese Kickboxing syllabus and these were forwarded to both BACA and BNMAA. Paul Griffin of BNMAA awarded Bob his 7th degree Bac Loong Gar at an awards ceremony in Clacton in March 2004.
Sifu Bob still continues with his training, perfecting and covering weaknesses and learning from any other martial art where the opportunity arises. He is currently re-training in Taekwondo, this helps with students who come to us from the art, and also for analysing techniques for seminars. Training also continues with the legal aspects, health and safety, first aid, NVQs, child protection and the general management of a martial arts school. CRB checks are also requested on a regular basis, this is done through BNMAA, 1st Newquay Scouts or Cornwall County Council.
Bob with CEO Paul Griffin, BNMAA receiving his 7th degree Bac Loong Gar award
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