- George Chung
- Jun 29, 2024
- 2 min read
Black Belt Magazine proudly showcases exceptional martial arts training programs and events from around the world.
Find this event in our directory section and list your event FREE to a worldwide audience.
This week we feature a double punch with a featured school and event in one story!
Over the past 46 years, the West Coast World Martial Arts Association under the leadership of Ernie Reyes Sr. has produced 10,000 Black Belts. On June 29th, the organization will hold its Mastery and Black Belt testing.
Held every 4-years to test Senior Master Instructors from 5th Degree to 10th Degree, the mastery testing originated in 1997 with the mission to develop their Black Belts to become role models of excellence, physically, mentally, spiritually, with good character, so they can contribute to making their communities and the world a more positive place to be. In 2024 there will be nearly 500 Black Belts and Master testers.
It was founded in 1978 originally as West Coast Tae Kwon Do, under the leadership of Ernie Reyes and partner Tony Thompson. The famed studio based in Silicon Valley was the home training grounds of the West Coast Demo Team, the original disrupter in the martial arts world.
The West Coast Demo Team brought something totally fresh and exciting by performing martial arts in a theatrical, stylized way that thrilled audiences across the nation. At the same time, Reyes was creating a house of champions and future leaders of the martial arts world. Early Reyes students included Scott Coker, George Chung, Cynthia Rothrock, Margie Reyes, and Ernie Reyes Jr.
Today the team has evolved and grown with a new brand taking a next generation and creating its own legacy branded as the West Coast World Action Team.
Over the years they have grown from 1 single location to 32 affiliated schools in 6 states with an expanded curriculum to include boxing, kickboxing, MMA, FMA along with Japanese and Chinese weapons training. This approach has given extended life to Black Belt students, some entering their 5th decade of West Coast training.
With nearly 50 years of success, Ernie Reyes Sr shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon. That said he has prepared the next generation of the Reyes West Coast family to continue the legacy. This includes a powerful team that includes wife Margie Reyes, with children Ernie Jr, Lee, Destiny, Esprit, and Ki.
I am so proud of all of my children and their accomplishments and their growth as unique individuals. I am very confident that the next generation is in great hands as my daughter Destiny has shown amazing leadership skills inspiring and shepherding this next generation of students.
This year we welcome all to come and witness the Mastery Spectacular featuring the World Action Demo. Escrima Master Ron Lew, MMA world champion coach Professor Leandro Vieira, and Sensei Tanaka of the San Francisco Taiko. More information is available on the school's social media and website.
“Martial Arts is one of the greatest gifts of life that can bring all different people, races, colors, beliefs and creeds to come together in peace and harmony which this world needs especially in life.” ….. Grand Master Ernie Reyes.
