Sanford's Karate

Sanford's Karate offers Little Samurai for ages 4-6, with a curriculum that focuses on gross motor skills and the basics of Karate. It also offers Youth Basic for beginners ages 7-14, where students learn Karate basics, balance, coordination, body awareness, and weekly mat chats on positive character development and life skills. The program also includes Youth Intermediate, Youth Advanced, and Adult Basic & Advanced classes with partner drills, self defense, pad combinations, katas, board breaking, takedowns, and traditional Okinawan and Japanese weaponry.

Programs

• Little Samurai — 4-6 · Curriculum is specifically designed for children ages 4-6 with an emphasis on gross motor skills and learning the basics of Karate.
• Youth Basic — 7-14 · Class for beginners only (white and yellow belts). Students learn Karate basics, focus, balance, coordination, body awareness, and weekly mat chats on positive character development and life skills.
• Youth Intermediate — For youth Orange, Blue, Green and Purple belts. Students learn more partner drills, self defense, pad combinations, intermediate katas, and board breaking.
• Adult Basic & Advanced — 14 and up · Adult class for all levels; advanced students have separate time to work weapons during extended classes on Wednesdays and Thursday evenings.
• Youth Advanced — For youth Brown and Jr. Black belts. Students learn takedowns, more advanced self defense and pad drills, as well as traditional Okinawan and Japanese weaponry.

At a glance

• Ages: 4–18 years old

About the provider

Sensei Rod Sanford opened the school in 1980. Sensei Sean Sanford is now the head instructor and general manager. Sanford's Karate has taught family martial arts in Soquel Village since 1980, and Sensei Rod Sanford has been teaching traditional Okinawan Karate in Santa Cruz county since 1967. Character development is placed at the forefront of teachings.

Classes are split by age and rank. Weekly mat chats cover respect, self-discipline, honesty, bullying, and stranger awareness. The class curriculum is structured to increase fitness, coordination, strength, body awareness, and practical self-defense.

Last updated September 24, 2026.