Emerald Coast Martial Arts Academy
Emerald Coast Martial Arts Academy, 726 Beal Pkwy, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
About
Emerald Coast Martial Arts Academy offers a wide range of martial arts classes, including Preschool Karate, Kids Karate, Teen Karate, Adult Karate, Shotokan Karate, Krav Maga, Kajukenbo, IaiJutsu, Tai Chi, and Home School Karate. The academy also runs the Tiny Tigers preschool martial arts program, Kids Martial Arts and Teen Martial Arts classes, as well as special programs such as birthday parties, a Summer Camp, a Summer Karate Program, an After School Program, and a Spring Break camp. It also offers Self-Protection Seminars, women’s self-defense clinics, and self-defense programs for women and children.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
Emerald Coast Martial Arts Academy has been serving the Fort Walton Beach area since 1978. Its Owner and Head Master Instructor is Dr. Joe Cayer, Ph.D., 10th Dan, who has over 53 years of experience in martial arts. The academy states that it has been dedicated to changing lives through martial arts, education, and coaching, and that it believes martial arts can be for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or experience level.
The Tiny Tigers preschool program is for kids ages 4 and 5 years old, the Kids Martial Arts class is for ages 6 to 12 years old, and the Teen Martial Arts classes and Shotokan Karate class are for ages 13 and up. Krav Maga at the academy is described as close-quarters combat designed for real-world self-defense for both men and women. Kajukenbo classes combine Karate, Judo, Jujitsu, Kenpo, and Boxing, IaiJutsu classes focus on Japanese sword-drawing techniques rooted in samurai traditions, and the Tai Chi program is practiced for both defense training and health benefits and is described as perfect for all ages and fitness levels. The Home School Karate program is described as designed specifically for homeschoolers.
The after-school program includes snack breaks, homework help, reading, arts and crafts, and free time in a clean, supervised, and secure environment. The Summer Karate Program offers focused, small-group summer classes, and the Spring Break camp includes dynamic martial arts lessons, games, and team-building activities.
Dr. Joe Cayer is a former Fort Walton Beach Police Officer, a certified Police Tactical Defense Instructor, and a Police Tactical Instructor. He holds an International Master Instructor Certification from the Eastern USA International Martial Arts Association and a Ph.D. from EUSAIMAA (earned in 2018). His ranks include 10th Dan Grand Master in Shotokan Karate, 1st Degree Black Belt in Combat Jujutsu, Master black belt and Soke (head of family) in Krav Maga, Master black belt in IaiJutsu, Master black belt in Kajukenbo, and additional black belts in Japanese and American arts. He is a decorated international competitor with Team America and was Grand Champion in the Randori division at the Irish Cup in Dublin, Ireland in 2003.
Dr. Cayer was inducted into the International Black Belt Hall of Fame and the United States Martial Arts Black Belt Hall of Fame and was inducted into Madison’s Who’s Who in 2012 for outstanding contributions to martial arts in America. He was selected in 2012 to lead a special martial arts demonstration for Florida Governor Rick Scott and U.S. Navy SEAL Teams 5 and 6 at a veterans’ benefit event. His community and leadership recognitions include the Bronze Presidential Community Award from President George W. Bush in 2007, the Silver Spoon Award from the U.S. House of Representatives (Rep. Jeff Miller) in 2008 for contributions to elderly education, and the Florida State Leadership Award from the Florida Crime Prevention Association in 2008. The City of Fort Walton Beach honored him with a public proclamation plaque for over 20 years of teaching women’s self-defense clinics, and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office named him Volunteer of the Year for his work in self-defense programs for women and children and recognized him in 2023 for having taught over 30,000 women in his Self-Protection Seminars. He owns and operates both ECMA (Emerald Coast Martial Arts) and IKI (International Karate Institute), which is present in seven countries worldwide.
Last updated February 14, 2026.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
Emerald Coast Martial Arts Academy has been serving the Fort Walton Beach area since 1978. Its Owner and Head Master Instructor is Dr. Joe Cayer, Ph.D., 10th Dan, who has over 53 years of experience in martial arts. The academy states that it has been dedicated to changing lives through martial arts, education, and coaching, and that it believes martial arts can be for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or experience level.
The Tiny Tigers preschool program is for kids ages 4 and 5 years old, the Kids Martial Arts class is for ages 6 to 12 years old, and the Teen Martial Arts classes and Shotokan Karate class are for ages 13 and up. Krav Maga at the academy is described as close-quarters combat designed for real-world self-defense for both men and women. Kajukenbo classes combine Karate, Judo, Jujitsu, Kenpo, and Boxing, IaiJutsu classes focus on Japanese sword-drawing techniques rooted in samurai traditions, and the Tai Chi program is practiced for both defense training and health benefits and is described as perfect for all ages and fitness levels. The Home School Karate program is described as designed specifically for homeschoolers.
The after-school program includes snack breaks, homework help, reading, arts and crafts, and free time in a clean, supervised, and secure environment. The Summer Karate Program offers focused, small-group summer classes, and the Spring Break camp includes dynamic martial arts lessons, games, and team-building activities.
Dr. Joe Cayer is a former Fort Walton Beach Police Officer, a certified Police Tactical Defense Instructor, and a Police Tactical Instructor. He holds an International Master Instructor Certification from the Eastern USA International Martial Arts Association and a Ph.D. from EUSAIMAA (earned in 2018). His ranks include 10th Dan Grand Master in Shotokan Karate, 1st Degree Black Belt in Combat Jujutsu, Master black belt and Soke (head of family) in Krav Maga, Master black belt in IaiJutsu, Master black belt in Kajukenbo, and additional black belts in Japanese and American arts. He is a decorated international competitor with Team America and was Grand Champion in the Randori division at the Irish Cup in Dublin, Ireland in 2003.
Dr. Cayer was inducted into the International Black Belt Hall of Fame and the United States Martial Arts Black Belt Hall of Fame and was inducted into Madison’s Who’s Who in 2012 for outstanding contributions to martial arts in America. He was selected in 2012 to lead a special martial arts demonstration for Florida Governor Rick Scott and U.S. Navy SEAL Teams 5 and 6 at a veterans’ benefit event. His community and leadership recognitions include the Bronze Presidential Community Award from President George W. Bush in 2007, the Silver Spoon Award from the U.S. House of Representatives (Rep. Jeff Miller) in 2008 for contributions to elderly education, and the Florida State Leadership Award from the Florida Crime Prevention Association in 2008. The City of Fort Walton Beach honored him with a public proclamation plaque for over 20 years of teaching women’s self-defense clinics, and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office named him Volunteer of the Year for his work in self-defense programs for women and children and recognized him in 2023 for having taught over 30,000 women in his Self-Protection Seminars. He owns and operates both ECMA (Emerald Coast Martial Arts) and IKI (International Karate Institute), which is present in seven countries worldwide.
Last updated February 14, 2026.
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