Sensei Sean Sanford (Kyoshi)

Sean Sanford is the son of our Dojo’s founder, Sensei Rod Sanford. He is the current head Instructor of our Dojo and leads all youth and adult classes. He began his training in 1988 at the age of 4. He earned his Jr. Black Belt at the age of 11 and began teaching Karate in 1999 when he was 15, assisting in our kids classes. He has had the privilege of training with O’Sensei Kim during his youth and also with other masters like Sensei Nishiyama, the master of Shotokan Karate.

Sensei Sean Sanford served as a self defense teacher in the public schools in Santa Cruz county for 7 years, from 2011 to 2018. He taught basic self defense, awareness skills, de-escalation and verbal skills to students at Branciforte Middle School, Mission Hill Middle School and Soquel High School. He also became certified in his father’s Police Tactics agency, P.I.D.T., back in 2012 and has taught as an assistant instructor with that program ever since. He is a registered P.O.S.T. (Police Officer Standards and Training) instructor with the state of California and is certified to teach Defense Tactics (arrest and control) as well as use of several types of Batons.

In 2022 Sensei Sean Sanford was promoted to 7th degree black belt in Shorinji-Ryu as well as the title of Kyoshi. He continues to teach full time and run our Dojo both as the head instructor, but also as the general manager. Outside of the Dojo, Sensei Sean Sanford has played bass guitar in several bands, enjoys classic cars, seeing live music and cooking.

Malcolm Crocker

Mr. Crocker is one of our lead instructors in the youth program. He also is an assistant instructor in our adult classes. Mr. Crocker started training with us in 2000 and has been teaching since 2005. In 2022 he earned his 4th degree black belt. Outside of Karate he enjoys photography, hiking and nature.

Frances Trengove

Ms. Trengove started in our youth program at the age of 7. She is now one of our lead instructors in the youth program and helps run our teen class. She started assisting in kids classes when she was 15. In 2022 she earned her 4th degree black belt. Outside of Karate, she’s a Psychology major and enjoys spending time with her family, friends and cat.

Sonora Sanford

Sonora is the daughter of our founder, Sensei Rod Sanford. She trained at our Dojo from the age of 4 to the age of 15 and earned her first degree black belt. She is now working in the family business as our Office Manager. She enjoys hiking, creating art and cooking.