West Coast Taekwondo

West Coast Taekwondo offers traditional Taekwondo and martial arts training that includes self-defense and fitness. The program includes Taekwondo classes for kids, Taekwondo classes for teens, and adult Taekwondo classes. Classes are organized into Dragons (ages 4–6), Tigers (ages 6.5–8), Core Kids Taekwondo (ages 8+), and Core Teens Taekwondo (ages 13–18), and a first class is free for new students.

• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Schedule: Class options Monday–Friday in the late afternoon and evening

West Coast Taekwondo offers traditional Taekwondo programs for all ages and experience levels, with programs divided by age group and proficiency level and personalized training for different skill levels. The program focuses on character development, self-defense, fitness, and core life skills such as confidence, perseverance, and emotional resilience, with an emphasis on the core values of Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, and Indomitable Spirit. The school maintains high standards for earning stripes and belts and offers adult Taekwondo classes that include stress relief, fitness, and personal growth, within a welcoming and inclusive community that emphasizes respect, perseverance, and camaraderie.

The leadership team includes Master Heather Vaughn, a 6th Degree Black Belt and School Owner; Master Adam Gentry, a 7th Degree Black Belt Senior Instructor; Master Steven Austin, a 7th Degree Black Belt Senior Instructor; and Master Robert Merino, a 6th Degree Black Belt Senior Instructor, with Masters Gary and Lynn Williams as the founders. Master Heather Vaughn is a 6th Degree Black Belt and became a Senior Certified Instructor in 2008. Instructors are described as passionate martial artists with decades of experience in Taekwondo, and the staff is described as award-winning, with West Coast Taekwondo described as one of the leading Taekwondo academies and one of the leading martial arts schools in Tustin.

Since opening in 1990, West Coast Taekwondo’s vision has been to make a positive impact on the lives of children, teens, and adults by sharing a passion for the sport and upholding the tenets they live by each day. The mission statement explains that the program is dedicated to preserving the rich heritage of traditional Taekwondo while providing expert martial arts training for students of all ages in a friendly, supportive environment where every student can thrive. The mission statement also states that Taekwondo at this school is about building integrity and resilience, and that the qualities taught are viewed as roadmaps to success in areas such as school, family, work, friends, relationships, and community.

West Coast Taekwondo welcomes students from across Orange County, including Irvine, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, and other parts of the county, and serves a diverse community that is passionate about martial arts and Taekwondo. One parent, Chandan Jadhav, states that everybody is nice and kind at West Coast Taekwondo, that their son learns many positive concepts, and that the classes include a lot of fun activities. Another parent, Hitesh Hansalia, says that West Coast Taekwondo prepares kids and youths for real-life martial arts, that Mr. and Mrs. Williams treat families like family, and that the instructors show dedication and positive energy to every student. George Strickland, who has known Mr. and Mrs. Williams for about 30 years, describes them as passionate about the art and about each individual student and highly recommends the school, and another testimonial notes that the school treats families like family, encourages the kids, and gives personalized attention to their child.

Last updated June 11, 2026.