★ 5

Anna and Johnny are amazing! My kids absolutely love learning with them. Anna is great with special needs kiddos as well. I highly recommend attending their classes!

Source: Google

★ 3

UPDATE -- HOLD UP! They don't even run their tournaments according to their association's rules. NASKA allows for limited grappling and close in strikes/sweeps and requires elbow guards and face shields.
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It's a McDojo, or a dojo in a duffle bag. They have several programs throughout Northern SA to San Marcos, but most appear to be run out of community centers, schools, or cafeterias. The official dojo is a 15'x30' room in a steel building outside New Braunfels.

The program caters mostly to kids under 13. Three sessions per year. Sessions are cheap, but they find ways to get more (book fee, testing fee, patches, special gis, special "challenge" classes to speed up ranking & technique application, mandatory tournaments and camps). Adults are fewer in number. One location has about 30 juniors, but only 6 adult students. Adult sessions are better focused; techniques, kata, and occasional sparring. Kids don't learn kata and techniques are sketchy.

They do not allow kids to advance to blackbelt. Instead they substitute a red belt as the top tier. But, because of they don't learn kata, kids are recycled back to white belt once they age up to the adult class.

The program has been around for 40+ years. They claim 100s of thousands of students. They've promoted 9 people to blackbelt in the last two years. They have about 40 blackbelts that still show up to ceremonies. I'm not sure if that's good, bad, or indifferent. It is what they claim.

Worst, and I hesitate to include this, is that I question the character of their top graduates. People who Director Nick Smith personally pushes and selects to run special programs. They are the adults leading a program largely attended by kids. If they lack character, what are you teaching the kids? They have the right words plastered on the walls, but I don't think they live them. -- Mr. Rodriquez is cool. No problem with that guy. But my kids will learn & grow better elsewhere.
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I started looking for a family activity we could do together. Karate came to mind, but we were unable to find a program that fit our schedule, location, and price. Then my wife found out about HCK. It didn't fit my schedule, but we signed the kids up. They attended for two sessions (Summer & Fall periods) before we told them to take a break to reflect if its something they really want to pursue. They want to go back. It looks like this session will have us all.

I suppose my one critique would be instructor availability. It did seem to rotate a bit. Y'all generally teach younger kids consistency is probably important. I get that life happens and you made it work. So mixed thoughts.

Source: Google

★ 5

These classes are great. They give my son confidence and a good workout. Good way to keep the kids focused on something they enjoy. The teachers are wonderful and take the time to have the kids fully understand. We have been going a few years and it’s definitely something my child will continue to learn and grow.

Source: Google

★ 5

Been taking my cousin with Miss Anna. She has been a wonderful person to work with and is very patient with the kiddos.

Source: Google

★ 5

This is my sons first time in karate and we were a little nervous at first but after being at HCK for a while and having Miss Anna as his instructor, I am confident we made the best choice! He has thrived in his personal skills thanks to the patience and willing to work at his pace from Anna. So excited to continue our karate classes!

Source: Google

★ 5

My daughter is trained under Miss Anna. She loves the class and her teacher. She never stops talking about her next time going! Anna has been so patient with her and a great roll model. If you go, sign up with her!

Source: Google

★ 5

Miss Anna has been an amazing karate instructor to my children. My daughter has become the most confident little ninja. Anna is patient, kind, and very good at making sure my children feel safe and comfortable during training. HIGHLY RECOMMEND ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Source: Google

★ 5

Great place, cool atmosphere.

Source: Google

★ 5

My son and I have a blast with HCK, and Mr. St. Louis, Smith, and Fornabio are great instructors.

Source: Google

★ 3

Sadly we didn't really have a great experience trying to enroll my daughter into the virtual Karate program offered by HCK. My Kindergartner brought home a flyer and was ready to enroll for her first time in Karate. I had signed her up and e-mailed them in order to ensure she was ready to begin her lessons. I sent a few e-mails with zero responses. I also tried to call the office, with no answer. Upon the day of the first class, I was worried that I could not access her classes through Zoom and received a snarky e-mail from Holly (finally) that she sent through videos on how to appropriately register and pay for the courses, however, I didn't receive these videos, so was really confused on how to use their system and pay (I'm usually extremely tech savvy but the system they use is awful).

Thankfully, I was able to log my daughter in for her first class and the only reason I am giving this place 3 stars is because of the instructor Jessie who was really friendly and sweet with my daughter through Zoom with it being her first class. Otherwise, this place would get 1 star because of how difficult it was to understand their system and the frustration in getting no responses on communication when all I wanted to do was try to register my daughter.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

My son began Karate lessons with HCK in 2013 as a kindergartner. He is now a Junior 3rd Degree Red Belt at the age of 12 in 2020...and is so proud of himself. He has gained valuable experience in physical fitness, American Karate techniques & katas. The tournaments are always well produced and exciting to attend. In this time of social distancing, HCK has not missed a beat with Virtual Classes and Tournaments. This organization is TOP NOTCH!! Nick Smith operates HCK with care and consideration to offer children and adults an affordable, rewarding experience that can last a lifetime.

Source: Google

★ 5

I've been in HCK for almost 2 years now and I dont know my life would be without it, it's hard sometimes but I've never wanted to stop and I don't think I ever will. My instructor is Mr. Agquiz and I go to Mr. Ayala's class as well, they're both amazing instructors and they have pushed me to do things that I didn't think i could do, they've made me a better person in some ways, I love them so much and they're the reason why i love martial arts.

Source: Google

★ 5

I absolutely love HCK. My oldest son is starting his 3rd session and our youngest his first session. Their teacher Miss. Zach really does an amazing job and my son absolutely loves her. She is so kind and patient with all the kiddos all the time and I really do not know how she does it. She is a very gifted instructor. Our son has attended 1 weapons camp and 1 tournament so far and both events were very well organized.

I have seen nothing but positive improvement in every aspect of my son's life. It really is a great program, and something my son takes seriously and looks forward to each week.

My grandparents have taken the adult classes and really enjoyed those, but I have not yet been able to sit in on any of those.

Source: Google

★ 5

This is my first experience with martial arts of any kind. My grandson (6) is taking the class, and I am so pleased with the quality of instruction provided. Each instructor is immeasurably patient while still commanding respect. I highly recommend this group.

Source: Google