Yoshukai Karate Winter Workout

The Yoshukai Karate Winter Workout is an annual convergence of Yoshukai Karate students and teachers upon the gulf coast for a day of traditional Japanese training, testing, weapons demonstrations, and self-defense that includes a neck-deep martial arts workout in the frigid gulf waters. The event was started in 1980 by Pensacola's own Gerry Blanck, a 7th-degree black belt who still attends the event and was the World Kickboxing Champion from 1983-85. It has been held every year on Pensacola Beach, except for the years 2005-09, where it was held on Panama City Beach due to local coastal damage by Hurricane Ivan. The directors are 8th-degree black belt Hiroaki Toyama of Pensacola, and 7th-degree black belt Mike Culbreth of Dothan, Alabama. Anther Yoshukai instructor and familiar face that participates in the workout includes Pensacola favorite Cheryl Wheeler Duncan, a 3rd-degree black belt. The Yoshukai Karate Winter Workout is open to all Yoshukai Karate students, from all ages and locations. Spectators are also welcome.