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Rising Sun Aikido

Traditional Ueshiba style Aikido self defence club

Weston-Super-Mare, North Somerset, England

Rising Sun Aikido Club History

Image of Sensei Alan Pirie

Sensei Alan Pirie

Sensei Phil Benge Sandan originally started training in Aikido in Hull under Sensei Alan Pirie in 1979.

Sensei Pirie trained in Aikido for over 40 years before his untimely departing in 1996 and had been graded to 3rd Kyu by Sensei Chiba in the late 1960's, it was over 16 years later before Sensei Pirie obtained his Shodan.

Sensei Phil Benge obtained his Shodan in 1993 with Sensei Pirie making him the first person to be graded by Sensei Pirie to Shodan. After Sensei Pirie's untimely departure, Sensei Phil Benge took over as Sensei of the Rising Sun Aikido in Hull. Over the years the club had grown from one night a week with only three students to four nights a week with over 30 students.

Sensei Phil Benge started teaching on Sunday night at the Hull University seeing many students take to Aikido and remain training throughout their student life and beyond.

January 2000 saw a new century and a move for Sensei Phil Benge to Weston Super Mare, this meant passing the club on to long time students & friends Sensei Paul Smith & Sensei Jason West.

Image of Sensei Jason West and Sensei Paul Smith

Sensei Jason West
& Sensei Paul Smith

The Rising Sun Aikido, Hull, has continued to grow & introduce many more people to Aikido.

Due to work restraints Sensei Benge was unable to start teaching Aikido until January 2002 when the Rising Sun Aikido, Weston Super Mare, club was formed.

The club has seen many students come and go but a steady core of dedicated Aikidoka's has kept the club going and helped it grow and now trains four times a week on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturday mornings.

The Rising Sun Aikido promotes Traditional Aikido through teaching & practise in a relaxed fun, friendly atmosphere.

Rising Sun Aikido invites ladies, gents and children aged 5+ upwards to come along and see what this exciting martial art can do for you.

  • Build confidence
  • Become Fitter
  • Meet new friends
  • Learn new skills
  • Have Fun
Image of the club 25th Jan 2008

Rising Sun Aikido - Friday 25th Jan 2008

 Image of the club 25th Nov 2005

Rising Sun Aikido - Friday 25th Nov 2005

Other club photos can be found in the Rising Sun Aikido club photo gallery.