Self-Defense Series Of Training Classes
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Castro Community On Patrol (CCOP) in association with our safety partner Community Patrol Service (CPS) offers a series of self-defense training classes which take students progressively through the concepts, strategies, and techniques of general self-defense.
Our very popular 3.5 hours Beginners Self-Defense class is the starting point and the most commonly attended. The class is a very low impact presentation of some very basic, but extremely useful and valuable self-defense concepts taught by martial arts Grand Master, Ken Craig. We have provided this same class on many occasions in the past to packed classes and rave reviews.
The class teaches a thought-process of graduated risk assessment and threat response and is suitable for anyone of 18 years or older. There will be periods of standing and moving, as well as working with other people as part of the practical class exercises. We can make necessary accommodations for special needs, but please let us know of any special needs well before the class date.
The class focuses on RECOGNIZING increasing threats, AVOIDING conflicts when possible, DE-ESCALATING conflict situations when viable, and RESPONDING in a “last resort” scenario provides some simple and easy to remember defensive techniques that any able bodied adult should be able to utilize effectively. The blended lecture and performance structure allows attendees to build hierarchically in a simple step by step manner to help aid retention of the information and concepts.
Attendees will work together in pairs at times, and with class instructors at times as they work through the practical defensive techniques and concepts.
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The full series of self-defense of classes are as follows:
- SD-1: Beginners self-defense introductory course – 3.5 hours (low impact)
- SD-2: Seated and grounded defensive techniques and concepts (SD1 is a prerequisite to participate in this class)
- SD-3: Grabs, holds and kidnap defensive techniques and concepts (SD1 & SD2 are a prerequisite to participate in this class)
- SD-4: Sexual assault and domestic violence defensive techniques and concepts (SD1, SD2 & SD3 are a prerequisite to participate in this class)
- SD-5: Weapons defensive techniques and concepts (SD1, SD2 & SD3 are a prerequisite to participate in this class)
- SD-6: Multiple attackers defensive techniques and concepts (SD1, SD2 & SD3 are a prerequisite to participate in this class)
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CLASS INSTRUCTOR
Grand Master Ken Craig is a 9th Degree Black Belt in the Korean Arts of HapMoosaKi-Do and YongChul-Do and an 8th Degree Black Belt in the Koran Art of TaeKwon-Do. He is Secretary on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Gay and Lesbian Martial Artists and serves on the Sports Committee of the Federation of Gay Games.
Chief Ken Craig is head of the Community Patrol Service (CPS) which provides training and assistance to safety organizations worldwide. He is a member of the International Police Association and is one of the original founding members of Castro Community On Patrol (CCOP.) He currently serves as the Community Co-Chair on the SFPD LGBTQ+ Advisory Forum and previously helped to found and lead the SFPD Auxiliary Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) for eight years.
Grand Master Craig founded and led the nonprofit Triangle Martial Arts Association (TMAA) in 1998 following the horrific murder of gay college student Matthew Shepard, providing free and low cost traditional martial arts training and self-defense classes for the LGBTQ+ community in the Castro, throughout San Francisco, and beyond. TMAA trained hundreds of students during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and saw more than thirty rise to 1st Degree Black Belt rank and a few going beyond this to Master level during this time. TMAA closed during the world housing financial crisis but Grand Master Craig continues to lead self-defense and other community safety training classes through Castro Community On Patrol and other community organizations.
Chief and Grand Master Craig has extensive experience in the public safety and disaster response areas, and is recognized as a leader and community activist in this area within San Francisco and the Castro neighborhood.
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CLASS ATTENDEE TESTIMONIALS
All post-training reviews are anonymous and results are confidential, however these testimonials were freely provided:
“The class was fun, well paced, and full of really useful information.”
“Everyone should take this training, and probably repeat it a few times to really lock in the ideas presented.”
“I learned so much for the class. I feel much safer and more confident now. Thank you.”
“As a former victim of violence I was apprehensive about the class, but the instructors were compassionate, professional, friendly, and extremely knowledgeable. I felt safe and comfortable during the class and learned a lot.”
“I cannot say thank you enough for providing this training for the community. It is essential.”
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AWARD WINNING TRAINING
Our training and service to the Castro neighborhood has been recognized and honored by the City and County of San Francisco in a ceremony attended by Mayor London Breed, Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, Sheriff Paul Miyamoto, and Chief Bill Scott of the San Francisco Police Department. Also present was Special Agent in Charge Robert Tripp of the FBI San Francisco Office. Chief Craig of Community Patrol Service and Chief Carey of Castro Community On Patrol were each presented with a Certificate of Honor in the March 2014 ceremony at City Hall.
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CLASS COSTS
COMMUNITY focused classes will take place in the Castro neighborhood of San Francisco, partnering with various suitable training spaces. These classes are promoted through our website and social media platforms and cost $30/attendee (accommodations can be made for low-income individuals upon request.)
NONPROFIT organizations may book a private training class at their own facility on a mutually agreed date and time. Audio-visual capacity and a large open floorspace is required for the class. Private nonprofit classes are $60/attendee with an initial non refundable deposit of $600 required to secure the training date.
FOR PROFIT organizations may book a private training class at their own facility on a mutually agreed date and time. Audio-visual capacity and a large open floorspace is required for the class. Private for profit classes are $100/attendee with an initial non refundable deposit of $1000 required to secure the training date.
