Which Karate club?

[dangerous365]

Hi I am new to this forum, and im about to start karate in kent, UK.

I have a choice of clubs but dont know the difference between the 2 styles? Which one would you recommend? I want to be prepared for street fighting and gain self confidence.

http://www.uifma-doveropenkarateclub.com/

http://www.internationalkarate.co.uk/index.htm

Thanks

[sensei8]

First of all...Welcome!!

It's very hard to determine which one of the clubs you've linked to is best for you by just looking at their websites.

VISIT EACH SCHOOL...SEVERAL TIMES...then...make a choice as to which one would be better to provide you with what it is that you're looking for.

Good luck...train hard!

[KarateGeorge]

Welcome!

As sensei8 stated, visit the schools. A website can only provide limited useful information as it is really nothing more than an advertisement for a school, they're going to try and put themselves in the best possible light to attract potential students who come to their website. Visit the schools, watch their classes, ask questions of the instructors (and if the opportunity presents itself, to some of the students) about their classes, and get a solid understanding of each school. That is the best way to really figure out which one best matches with your goals and interests.

[dangerous365]

ok thanks,

do you know what the actual difference is between the two styles.

Za-Zen-Karate-Zen-Shin-Ryu

and

Kyokushinkaikan

[Toptomcat]

I would reccomend the Kyokushinkaikan people over the Dover club. The Dover web site makes a number of highly dubious claims, like their fairly unknown style's founder being "the first Westerner to break away from traditional methods of training", as well as claiming high-level proficiency in swordsmanship, archery, several styles of kung fu, and aikido, despite the fact that the only named instructor of his on whom I could find any information on is a *judo* teacher, which is mysteriously absent from that suspiciously broad list of qualifications.

In addition, Kyokushin and its offshoots, of which International Karate Kyokushinkaikan appears to be one, has a well-earned reputation for physical rigor and practical applicability.

[mr_obvious]

^^^^ X2

Hard to tell by websites only, but if I had to.....I'd go with Kyokushin.