Encino Judo Club

About the Encino Judo Club

Personalized instruction from Demachi Sensei
Personalized instruction from Demachi Sensei

The Encino Judo Club was founded over 50 years ago dedicated to promoting judo and jujutsu. We have taught thousands of students at dozens of locations throughout Southern California. Self-defense and Judo programs have been carefully designed for all interests. Expert instructors combine martial arts techniques with modern teaching methods to ensure a fun and safe learning environment.

Our members have included high level competitors, world-class coaches, and international referees. We offer a full range of opportunities for both beginners and advanced. The Encino Judo Club is a member club of USJA, USJF, and Nanka Yudanshakai.

Class Information

Instructor Yuka Demachi helping beginners get started
Instructor Yuka Demachi helping students get started

The Oxnard Buddhist Temple has been the home of Encino Judo Club since 1989 but they are currently undergoing a major remodel. Until construction is finished early in 2024 we have moved to:

St Paul's United Methodist Church at 1800 S C St, Oxnard CA 93033

Classes are held on Mondays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:00pm. Club dues of $45 are paid monthly. Beginners age 8 to adult are welcome to join or try it out at the beginning of each month (the first 2 classes of every month are open). We have sufficient instructors to provide personalized instruction for all levels. For inquiries please contact Neil Ohlenkamp at (805) 259-6699 or JudoUnleashed@gmail.com.

Classes are year-round, but please check our online calendar or our Facebook page for any class cancellations (mostly just holidays). We proudly serve Oxnard, Ventura, Camarillo, Ojai, Port Hueneme, all of Ventura County and southern Santa Barbara County.

Our Expert Instructors

  • Gene Demachi -- Head Instructor
  • Neil Ohlenkamp -- Former Head Instructor, author of Judo Unleashed!
  • Alain Wilkinson, Yuka Demachi, Mark Herrschaft, Jerrod Wilson -- Class Instructors
  • Guest instructors are always welcome

Instructors - Encino Judo Club
Experienced instruction from the Encino Judo Club

Older Events of the Encino Judo Club

Here are a few of the special judo events conducted by the Encino Judo Club, starting with some photos from our weekend practice on the beach -- okuriashi harai, yoko tomoenage, seoinage. The Encino Judo Club regularly hosts guest instructors and special clinics such as the Weekend of French Judo, newaza with Harold Sharp and Toshikazo Okada, and a clinic with former World Champion AnnMaria DeMars where she showed techniques like her favorite armlock followed by a club tournament. Here is a report of a USJA Grassroots Clinic conducted by Neil Ohlenkamp.

We post more current activities on our Facebook page.

We offer official Encino Judo Club t-shirts, sweatshirts and other merchandise.  

Here is a photo from a practice on the beach (spring 2017). See more photos of our classes.

Some of the black belt instructors and guests present for a special clinic at the judo class in Oxnard.

Here is a photo from the Ventura County Star showing the Judo demonstration at the Oxnard Buddhist Temple Obon Festival. The photo below shows a big ura nage throw during the demonstration.

 
ura nage

Judo class at Oxnard Buddhist Temple on May 10, 2005.
Encino Judo Club class on May 10, 2005

Goodwill Practice with Japanese Self Defense Forces.
June 2005 Goodwill Practice with Japanese Self Defense Forces

The Encino Judo Club has a long history of drawing on experts to provide advanced instruction. This photo (below) shows some of the instructors at an Encino Judo Club clinic about 40 years ago including (from left to right) Harold Sharp (9th dan), "Judo" Gene Lebell (9th dan), Phil Porter (9th dan), and three instructors from the Encino Judo Club -- Toney Raven, Bill Nauta, and Neil Ohlenkamp.

Encino Judo Club

Do Judo!

This page is copyright © 1995/2024 by Neil Ohlenkamp. All rights reserved. Last modified February 20, 2024.