Luke Torroni

Hi Pasco,

I have been interested in leaning a martial art for some time. As I am a big fan of Bruce Lee I thought I would take a look into the art of Wing Chun.

After browsing over your website, and others, it has really begun to get me motivated. I would like to learn the traditional way e.g. As Bruce Lee was taught which is what I believe you teach. I also have another question about the more advanced art with weapons.

I have read on your site that you teach with two weapons, I was wondering what happened to rarer ones such as the nunchaku (with which Bruce Lee had great skill) or wooden staff. Are these arts style still taught anymore, as I believe it would take great skill and dedication to master this kind of weapon. I look forward to hearing from you soon, and hopefully I will actually take up Wing Chun at one of you're schools as I live in the London area.

After my exams though!!! (I just don’t have time at the moment – I have to put the work first!) Kind Regards.

Pasco David

Hi thanks for your E-mail. To your question, yes this is how bruce Lee learned his foundation in martial arts and then he created his own system based on the essensuals of Classical Wing Chun.

To the other question, we do not have nunchacu in our system but we do use two other weapons in CWC, one Long Pole and two Short Broadswords to compliment the empty hands. One Long and one Short weapon for simplyfication. All the other distance weapons are not needed in CWC, because the distances are then varible. This weapon you are talking of, is made of two small sticks and a chain, which Bruce made famous, this is what Bruce Lee added later to his own system from the Japenese styles, and is not in the Classical System.

Once you have a good base in C.W.C just like Bruce, you can adapt your skills later to any weapons that takes your fancy, this is what makes C.W.C so interesting.

Dave Reckis

Could you please help me. I would very much like to start training in Classical Wing Chun. I live in the West London area and I understand there are quite a few clubs, and organisations in this area.

I work quite long hours and therefore the hours of training and nearby locality of the club are important to me. I recently visited a club taken by Sifu Jack Kontou, who I believe also trained under GM Victor Kan.

I contacted Victor Kan about watching his club train, but he wasn't very helpful. When I asked him about Jack Kontou's club - he said that he had been disqualified because of poor standards.

When 'surfing' the net recently I found that similar allegations had been made against you. Is there any truth in the fact that Sifu Kontou has been disqualified? Did you ever train with him, and do you think his club would be of a good standard?

If not can you suggest a branch of Victor Kan's club closer to me, as Lambeth is a very long way for me to travel. Or alternatively do you have a branch of your organisation in West London.

I live in South Acton and I can only seem to find branches of your club in North London. There seems to be a lot of politics involved in Wing Chun at the moment - and it is difficult to choose a club as a beginner. The whole situation is very confusing, any help that you can offer me would be greatly appreciated.

Pasco David

Hello Dave. I can appreciate your concerns. Yes there are a lot of politics in Wing Chun, as in most things. This can be a hinderance and blessing. What you believe at the end of the day, is your choice.

Jack Kontou, when I knew him, was a serious and accomplished body builder and was also serious about Wing Chun. He had been training with Victor since I can remember (a long time!). He was one of Victor's instructors and as far as I'm concerned, is a Kung Fu brother of mine and I can personally recommend him.

As far as the allegations of him being disqualified, I think Victor's getting into the habit of disqualifying ALL past, accomplished students who no longer work for him. I wouldn't pay any attention to it.

Dave Reckis

Dear Sifu David

Thank you very much for your reply.

I think it is a great shame that Victor Kan seems to be slandering all of his past top students. Maybe he should accept that there comes a time when student becomes teacher.

I am pleased that Sifu Jack Kontou has your recommendation and I intend to train with him very soon. I was very impressed with the discipline in his class, but he also seemed friendly and allowed me to watch his lesson (unlike Victor Kan!).

I assume that the Kung Fu he teaches will be very similar to that which you teach. Perhaps in the future if my work takes me into North London it would be possible for me to train under you as well?

Best Wishes.

Jonathan Nicholson

I've just visited your website, great, keep up the good work. Im a beginner to wing chun, and im having difficulty finding an instructor.

The only Wing Chun classes where I live are Wing Tsun classes held at the university. I have read web pages about WT and Leung Ting that suggest his Wing Chun and lineage claims are somewhat dubious.

The only other nearest instructors I have found after extensive surfing are yourself and in Peterborough. Both these are at least an hours train ride away from where I live.

During the WT classes Christmas break I got Samuel Kwoks book 'Path to Wing Chun' to learn the Sil Nim Tao form so I could practice it daily and help build solid foundations for my wing chun.

After the WT classes started again I went along thinking I could join in the form practice and keep up, but I found the form to be different. It seemed more complicated and the form was done faster than I had practiced (the Samuel Kwok book said practice slow). However, the instructors are freindly and most of the time teaching is done in small groups so the ratio of students to teacher is good, and it does seem very effective self defense.

To travel to your classes in london will be expensive and time consuming, but I would still like to attend some classes and seminars even if only once a month. What would you suggest as my best course of learning? if I sign up for WT I can go twice or more a week, and the self defense is good, even if wing chun isnt the best. I can still practice sil nim tao daily, which way is correct?

How much will it cost form single lessons with you?

Im not neccesarily interested in private lessons as i would rather learn in a small group, but I cannot afford your normal monthly rate, as well as the transport, and I would probably not be able to make it to too many classes to make it worthwhile.

I dont believe that learning from books and videos is a very good way to learn, although they can be useful for learning forms or for perhaps reading about the theory of wing chun.

Sorry for the long email, and if you could please email me with info on your seminars and classes, and any advice you have for me, I'd be most grateful. Again, I have read most of your website, and the only reason im not regularly attending yours (or another quality sifu's) classes are because of my location. The WT classes are pretty good, but im still not sure.

Pasco David

It is a shame that your location limits your options in learning the art of Wing Chun. If you wish to learn our system,

I would suggest twice a week attendance to our regular classes if you are serious. The bare minimum, would be once a week attendance with plenty of homework! Otherwise, the only other option you mentioned was to come down once a month. I would only suggest private lessons within this time frame.

£30 for once a month isn't much when you think about it and you will get my undivided attention for one hour and I can help you refine what you've learnt and teach you new things when you are ready for them.

There seems to be a conflict in your goal for your learning of the art, in that you wish to learn the solid foundations of Wing Chun, but you wish to learn good 'self defence'.

At the end of the day, you can learn the basic ideals of self defence through the practice of any art form over a period of time and dedicated training. If you wish to learn self defence within the confines of Wing Chun theories and practices, I would only suggest the Classical method.

In regards to your concerns about the Siu Nim Tao you are learning. The Siu Nim Tao we learn is simple in essence. That's simple, not easy! If you wish your decision to be better informed, come and try one private lesson with me and if you're not satisfied, go to the Wing Tsun class.

I hope you discover what is best for you.

Max Parsons

I must say that I am very glad to have discovered your website.

I had been intending to start classes with Victor Kan in the near future, but reading the comments of some of his former students on your FAQ page has rather put me off the idea.

I am currently attending a class in Central London, but I am finding the apparent lack of structure very frustrating. I first learned a little Kung Fu (mainly Hung Gar with a little Wing Chun) about 15 years ago and was lucky enough to have an excellent teacher who taught me in a slow, orderly and systematic way, with great emphasis on getting the basics right.

Having read your site, I believe that your teaching method would suit me well and I would like to attend your classes. I note however that you keep your class sizes small, so please would you advise whether you can accommodate an additional student at this time?

The Hampstead class would probably suit me best. I currently live in Amsterdam but work 3-4 days a week in London. As my days in London vary from week to week, is it possible to alternate between the Hampstead and Bourne Hill classes?

I was intrigued to read that you are learning Cantonese. I lived in Hong Kong for a couple of years and invested a lot of effort in attempting to learn the language. Few things in life have defeated me, but I'm afraid Cantonese is one of them! - learning Dutch has been a breeze in comparison.

Pasco David

What a name Maximilian, I thank you for your interest in my Classical Wing Chun and your feedback regarding Victor Kan. Learning martial skill is one thing but also having a compassionate heart and a sensitive attitude is another!

Having had a good teacher is as important as the system you learn. Am I right in that you must first learn how to walk then you can run latter? You say that my teaching method will suit you just from reading our website, this is great, a traditional Art with a modern method of approach, what a balance. I will look forward in seeing you.

My classes are personalised with many good senior students assisting. We can only teach so many in this way, so first come first served. You are free to come to any of the branches that I teach.

AJ O'Connell

Hi Pasco, excellent website. its good to see people putting the web to good use. I had GREAT trouble finding information on martial arts schools (decent ones, with trusted qualified instructors) without the internet. A few weeks ago, I went to check out Victor Kans class, just to take a look at first, and then hopefully join. I looked him up in the wing chun family tree, to check authenticity (!).

Looking at the class, i thought it looked excellent, and the standard of wing chun was high, apart from i disliked one important thing.. the atmosphere. it was terrible, like a prison. I was barely allowed to watch, they gave me 5 minutes, and i wasn't allowed to come in.. just stand in the doorway. very unwelcoming to a possible student. From this, I gathered from this, that the philosophical/meaningful side of wing chun was being neglected slightly, which I think is a very important part. It is how all the early students under Yip Man became so good..! I appreciate he is a superb martial artist, but personally, i prefer a friendly atmosphere, and as in one of your faqs, i don't believe you can be a GM without mastering the emotional side. This is part of CLASSICAL wing chun, is it not? Do you encourage this?

Looking at the information on your website, you look like an excellent wing chun martial artist, and an ideal person to learn from. Also, it would be good to have a sifu who can explain, and help me more than my current sifu.

I am currently training in Wing Chun, although I have only had 3 lessons. My sifu is excellent, although unfortunately he doesn't speak English, or very very little. So it is very difficult to know what I am doing wrong,even though he tries to show me. He is a master of many forms, including Tai Chi and Wing Chun.

At the moment, I am being taught privately, in his back garden ;) with one other person. I am just emailing to inquire about your lessons. I am 16, and very keen to make up the time I have lost on not participating in martial arts. Although my sifu is good, it is complicated, and I am not completely certain of his ability, and cannot ask him.. because he doesn't speak english etc..

Another big problem, is that I live in North London, the very edge. I live in Hadley Wood, about a mile away from the M25. My nearest tube station is Cockfosters. Therefore it is not easy getting in to London to the lessons. Of course, the travel also costs alot..! This is my main problem. I would go 5-6 times a week if i could, but travel money etc..

How much do you charge to teach privately? I am taking a year out after my A-levels, and in this time I will get a good job, as a webdesigner or something, and then I will have up to 5 lessons a week if possible. Also, I may try and do this in the summer holidays. Apologies for this long email. Thank you for your time.

PS: are you a full time wing chun instructor?

Pasco David

Hello and thank you for your compliments.

My former Instructor Kan Wah Chit was very strict at one time which was good, as it separated the men from the boys the hard way.

These days with the fast pace of life, you do have to flex with the times and find a balance, he is having some difficulty because of his age at 60. I feel at my age of 38, it is difficult but I am more in tune to what is happening and having to adapt to suit the day. He is coming from very traditional to modern which is a big change for him.

I will be looking for a location in Cockfosters soon so hold on, maybe you could help! or Potters Bar, you would not have to travel. Private lessons by me depend on many things. On average, £30, for Siu Nim Tao form, £40 for Applications Siu Nim Tao, single and Double Chi-Sau, £50 Double Chi-Sau to senior levels, all per hour.

Shon Killion

Hello Sir, my name is Shon Killion and I am a student of Tae Kwon Do.

My instructor, Darin Wood, has recently started teaching me ( and a select few others who are interested) from other styles of fighting. We have done several series, now in ground fighting, weapons, Silat, Muay Thai, Kali, and trapping. If I am not mistaken I believe that he has told me he a fourth level certified instructor in Jun-fan trapping. I could be wrong about that though.

During the times we meet for this Streetfighting class, I always hope that he will show me more trapping, I can't get enough of it. Even though it seems to be going extremely slowly. I don't know any chi-sau, I have learned pak-sau and lap-sau ( I think that is right) techniques. I want to learn the correct way to train in this art however and would like to know a few things

1. what questions should I ask my instructor so that I can be sure to get the most out of this training? 2. How street effective is trapping? I recently read an article in a martial arts magazine that bashed trapping, saying it no longer had its place in modern fighting and to prove this they asked " if trapping is effective why haven't we seen it in the UFC?" 3. I am limited in the times I can actually train in trapping ( once a week, every Friday) so are there ways of training that don't involve a wooden dummy or another person or just doing the motions in the air? I am sorry this E-mail is so long, if you could give me a response I would be most grateful.

Pasco David

If you are a beginner, you can believe anything an instructor tells you. This is why we have so much confusion nowadays. Until you have invested some time and energy to prove it to yourself then you will probably understand that what you are doing is what the late Bruce Lee did.

You will know what you need. I am a firm believer in one fighting method if it is the right one for you. If my Wing Chun was poor, I would study other systems to compensate it.

Grades do not mean a thing in the street. The question is, is he a good instructor? A skilled fighter? Has he had the time and experience to test his system out and which elements worked for him. Do you get the point? Chi Sau is an advanced training skill! How long have you been training? Do you need sticking hands training? You will know one day when you are ready to learn.

The problem these days, is that in Wing Chun (and other arts for that matter) an instructor will teach a student an advanced skill, knife defence or Chi Sau to try an attract attendance, but this is incorrect instruction.

Bruce Lee was a Classical Wing Chun student. A great martial artist to look up to, however what he taught in class I cannot comment on. This is not a question about your instructor, it's whether the system is right for you. The C.W.C system is a set of training skills that builds you up logically from zero for your mental and physical benefit. Trapping is only a small part of that efficiency.

Real self defence is when you are up against a stronger opponent. C.W.C deals with that. Trapping is popular for when the centre line is covered. We have a saying in our school. We let the hands do the talking. Do not believe anything people say or write. Everything in our school works according to the student's ability.

Pak-sau, lap-sau is for knocking a hand, arm, or leg away from the centre. Lap-sau, is for opening up, or guiding away from the centre with a pull! You can do shadow boxing when you know what you are doing, like the empty hand forms of Wing Chun.

Ron van Broekhoven

I thought it was very interesting to read your replies to some of the questions on you FAQ page. I have studied Ving Tsun in Holland for five years, and I'm very well aware of the fact that the Ving Tsun system knows many different interpretations.

There are many websites around, many schools with Masters or Sifus claiming to practice 'the only authentic form of Ving Tsun or Wing Chun around'. I believe your site is honest and your view of Ving Tsun is realistic and down to earth. I would therefore be very interested to know what you think of the late Wong Shun Leung and the way he taught, since Wong was my teacher's teacher.

I'm not sure when the FAQ page was last updated, but I would, if I may, like to add something to your reply to Paul Latham about weight distribution. When he says 'your front leg is vulnerable to a knee kick with even 50 % of the weight on it' I believe he's missing the point entirely.

Weight distribution should be more or less even and your stance should be optimal so that any knee kick is easily countered. I am sure you will agree.

Pasco David

Hello, Thanks for your kind response. The late Wong Shun Leung was a great man. I met him three times. Once, when he visited G.M Victor Kan's school here in London, second time at his St Albans seminar and two weeks before he passed away at the Hong Kong Ving Tsun athletic Association.

At that time he offered to teach me with his many more years of experience. His Ving Tsun seems to be the closest to what I do although his approach is different.

In judging his teaching methods I can only say by seeing his students that although they seem quite good they do lack solidness in their basics.

Dan Carvalho

Dear Sifu,

You may remember me, my name is Dan Carvalho, I was once one of your Wing Chun Kuen students at your Swiss cottage branch of your school. I have visited your excellent website and felt the need to e-mail you to express my appreciation and let you know my current situation.

The reason I moved on from Wing Chun is that when I started, I was only just 14 years old with no martial arts experience and extremely little knowledge. When I chose the style, I was completely ignorant of the rest of the vast world of martial arts. Therefore, during my study period of Wing Chun I discovered a great deal of what I was unaware of at the time I began. This caused me to rethink my dedication to Wing Chun, and I realised that I wanted to move on.

Since then, I have visited and trained at numerous schools of different martial arts, none of them with the quality of standard of yours.

I have only recently found a school that I am willing to be 100% dedicated to. I have come in contact with many people who have wanted my advice on close-range combat and studying Wing Chun. Luckily, I have been able to point them in your direction before getting themselves trapped in one of the thousands of ‘fake’/non-traditional schools of Wing Chun.

One boy, an old friend of mine from school, told me about his want to start Wing Chun. I gave him one piece of advice, ‘find a good teacher’. I spoke to him a few weeks ago, for the first time in a while. He told me about his findings. He had been to various Wing Chun schools, all of which had tried to ‘sell’ their school to him, with fancy decorations, complex syllabuses etc etc…he also tried out a few classes. In one, he had been taught defences against knife-attacks in his first lesson!!

Another, where they would spar like western boxers! He then went on and told me that he had found one school that seemed “perfect”. The teacher didn’t try to sell anything, didn’t even say much, just taught the class (the quality of the teaching and students impressed him very much) and at the end, the teacher told him, ‘look around, see what suits you’ etc.

I asked what the teacher's name is and he said “Sifu Pasco David”! I don’t know if he’s started yet, but I told him he had found the right teacher! So basically, I would just like to show my appreciation to you.

LUCKILY, I came to your school when I was young and very naïve, and gained a great foundation, for future training, and an introduction to traditional Chinese martial arts, a life long quest for self discovery, self improvement, and martial skill. The awareness of traditional training and authenticity that I have learned through the attendance of your school has been of HUGE benefit to me. If only everyone had this awareness too.

Thank you very much Oh yeah, and merry Christmas! Dan Carvalho.

P.S. I heard you are learning Cantonese. I am very pleased for you as learning an Asian language opens many doors, and is so useful. I think it will also help your much-deserved success in the Wing Chun world. I am learning Mandarin outside of school.

Jon McCardle

I have recently been introduced to Kung Fu through 'The Matrix' and I cannot afford to go to any clubs or classes and am to shy. I was wondering if you had any moves or manuals spare to which I could have to get myself into doing Kung Fu, I would be greatly obliged if you could send me any information about how to apply moves.

I am sorry I cannot help you with books or manuals as I have never published any. I was taught directly from teacher to student. So I do not recommend any and as for being shy, try to overcome that first as a challenge.

Allan Curran

Dear Sir I am interested in taking up Wing Chun. I have practised Wing Chun before, quite a few years ago now and would like to take it up again. I live in the North East of England, Newcastle upon Tyne to be precise. Unfortunately I do not know of any classes in my area. Could you please advise me if you know of any or perhaps an organization who could point me in the right direction. I look forward to your kind reply. Yours sincerely Allan Curran.

Pasco David

Sorry, I do not know of any around your area, I did once come from London to give an instructor from the Yip Man lineage, some private lessons in the Classical Style. He told me there wasn't anyone teaching there, but that was over two years ago. Things have changed since then, as Wing Chun has exploded all over the UK.

Try looking for Sifu Shawn Rawcliffe (his site) or Samuel Kwok to make contacts...