Karate Goes To Denmark

Sensei Helle Jorgensen Smith, who runs the Shito Ryu Karate dojo in Bucasia, spent the last six months of 2025 in her homeland Denmark with her two sons, Nathanial and Aksel, aged 16 and 14. With karate remaining part of their daily routine, it wasn’t long before Helle was asked by a friend’s two young boys if they could also learn.

And so, the Danish Karate Club was born, with Jonathan and Tristan, aged 14 and 13, and three teachers — Sensei Helle, Nathanial, a Black Belt (1st Dan), and Aksel, a 1st Kyu Brown Belt (one level before black).

Training two to three hours per week, and with a unique ratio of three teachers to two students, the two white belts (first level) progressed quickly. Jonathan and Tristan showed respect from the very first lesson and completed their homework each week. This included not only physical training, but also learning the philosophy behind karate. They even researched aspects of the art beyond what is normally expected of a white belt. Sensei Helle said, “they were simply a joy to teach.”

Karate is not about fighting or merely self defence; it focuses on discipline, lifelong self-development, self-control, and the pursuit of a calm and peaceful mind.

After five months of training, the new students graded to the next level, achieving Yellow Belt and Yellow Belt with two stripes — almost to the next level. It was a courageous effort by the two young boys, who have vowed to continue their karate journey and may one day visit their parent dojo in Mackay.

The Northern Beaches Karate Club runs classes during the school term on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Bucasia Community Hall in Wallace Avenue. Sensei Helle also holds self defence courses for women and girls, with the next session planned for Saturday, February 14, 2026. Further sessions are planned throughout the year. For more information, call 0488 146 644.

Contributed with thanks to Gerri Kissner

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A local Bucasia karate instructor has helped establish a mini dojo in Denmark, sharing discipline and tradition with young students abroad. Photos supplied

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