ABOUT LAND SHARK MARTIAL ARTS

What we teach

The core program is American Freestyle Karate, taught through a belt system that runs from white belt to black belt. Youth classes are grouped by belt rank rather than age alone, so a child trains with students at their own level. Wednesdays add dedicated weapons and sparring classes for both youth and adults. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu covers ground defense and runs for teens and adults, and kickboxing is open from age 13.

Who teaches it

The school is run by Sensei Schummer, a 2nd degree black belt who began training in 1984 and started teaching in 1990. He trained under Grandmaster Derek Kaio and Grandmaster Lee, and is working towards 3rd degree with Grandmaster Roy Gay. Five instructors teach across the programs, four of them black belts in American Freestyle Karate. Mr. and Mrs. Gay serve on the school's Grandmaster Advisory Board. Meet the instructors.

What a first class looks like

The first lesson is free and runs 15 to 20 minutes, one-on-one with an instructor rather than dropped into a group. Wear comfortable clothes; no uniform is needed and nothing is bought up front. You learn some basic kicking and punching, and afterwards there is a conversation about whether it fits — at no cost and with no obligation either way. Tuition, if you continue, runs $50-$150 per month depending on the program.

Where to find us

Land Shark Martial Arts is at 4238 London Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701, the phone number is 715-530-4989, and email reaches us at landsharkmaec@gmail.com. Classes run Monday to Friday. There is also a separately run sister school in Honolulu, Hawaii — details here. It is not operated by the Eau Claire school, so classes there are booked directly with them.