About Us
The East Coast Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan Karate & Kobudo Dojo was founded in 1993 The first East Coast Karate Dojo was the Mechanic Street Dojo.It was opened on Feb 3rd 1995 in Hope Valley, RI. The dojo was maybe 450 sq ft. In 1999 the Mechanic Street Dojo had become too small.So on October 1st 1999, the dojo moved into a smaller version of its current location in the Ocean State Job Lot Plaza in Richmond, RI. 2 Years later the dojo was expanded to its current size of 4000sq ft.
Master Instructor/ Owner: Sensei David W. Ahrens - Renshi/Rokudan
Born in Sioux City Iowa on February 6th 1971 and having lived there until 1983 he relocated to the Westerly/Pawcatuck area where he attended Stonington High School and graduated Stonington with a GPA of 4.0. Sensei Dave was married to high school sweetheart Corry on September 19th 1993 and has one daughter, Amber.
He began his Karate training in 1985 with Sensei Egidio Luzzi. In 1993 he began his karate study with Kyoshi J. D. Perry, 8th Degree Black Belt and head of the Shorinkan US. In November of 2000, Sensei Dave was promoted by Grandmaster Shugoro Nakazato to 4th Degree Black Belt and 3rd Degree Black Belt in Kobudo (Okinawan Weapons). In August 2003, Sensei Dave was the first to test in front of the newly formed Shorinkan Kyoshi-Kai. The panel consisted of 9 Kyoshi from around the country. He was judged excellent/outstanding on all facets of the test and was promoted by Nakazato Shugoro Sensei to Godan 5th Dan Karate-Do and Yondan 4th Dan Kobudo.
On August 19th 2006, Sensei Dave was tested and Promoted to the rank of Rokudan (6th Degree Black Belt) by the Kyoshi-Kai panel consisting of North American Vice-President Kyoshi Pat Haley, Kyoshi Eddie Bethea, Kyoshi Cheech Luzzi, Kyoshi Jerry Taylor and New Kyoshi Neil Stolsmark.
Sensei David is a nationally renowned martial arts practitioner and educator, having taught at the most prestigious Shorinkan training camps in the world.
Sensei David Ahrens is noted for his integrity, professionalism and unconditional commitment to excellence in his field. His enthusiasm, drive and ability to motivate has afforded his students the opportunity to train with the best Karate instructors in the world and bring out the best in themselves.
Master Instructor/ Owner: Sensei David W. Ahrens - Renshi/Rokudan
Born in Sioux City Iowa on February 6th 1971 and having lived there until 1983 he relocated to the Westerly/Pawcatuck area where he attended Stonington High School and graduated Stonington with a GPA of 4.0. Sensei Dave was married to high school sweetheart Corry on September 19th 1993 and has one daughter, Amber.
He began his Karate training in 1985 with Sensei Egidio Luzzi. In 1993 he began his karate study with Kyoshi J. D. Perry, 8th Degree Black Belt and head of the Shorinkan US. In November of 2000, Sensei Dave was promoted by Grandmaster Shugoro Nakazato to 4th Degree Black Belt and 3rd Degree Black Belt in Kobudo (Okinawan Weapons). In August 2003, Sensei Dave was the first to test in front of the newly formed Shorinkan Kyoshi-Kai. The panel consisted of 9 Kyoshi from around the country. He was judged excellent/outstanding on all facets of the test and was promoted by Nakazato Shugoro Sensei to Godan 5th Dan Karate-Do and Yondan 4th Dan Kobudo.
On August 19th 2006, Sensei Dave was tested and Promoted to the rank of Rokudan (6th Degree Black Belt) by the Kyoshi-Kai panel consisting of North American Vice-President Kyoshi Pat Haley, Kyoshi Eddie Bethea, Kyoshi Cheech Luzzi, Kyoshi Jerry Taylor and New Kyoshi Neil Stolsmark.
Sensei David is a nationally renowned martial arts practitioner and educator, having taught at the most prestigious Shorinkan training camps in the world.
Sensei David Ahrens is noted for his integrity, professionalism and unconditional commitment to excellence in his field. His enthusiasm, drive and ability to motivate has afforded his students the opportunity to train with the best Karate instructors in the world and bring out the best in themselves.