Encino Judo ClubOxnard · since 1969
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Encino Judo Club members of all ages and ranks gathered on the mat after class
Kodokan Judo · Oxnard, CA

Encino Judo Club

Judo instruction on the mat since 1969. Beginners and experienced students welcome — recreation, competition, fitness, and self-defense for ages 8 through adult.

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ScheduleMon & Thu · 6:30–8pm
Ages8 to adult
Monthly dues$45 / month
LocationOxnard, CA
About the club

A community of judoka, built over generations.

Founded in 1969, the Encino Judo Club has taught thousands of students at dozens of locations throughout Southern California.

Our program is carefully designed for every interest — recreation, competition, self-defense, fitness, character development, and self-confidence. Expert instructors combine traditional martial arts techniques with modern teaching methods to ensure a fun and safe learning environment.

Members have included renowned instructors, high-level competitors, kata judges, world-class coaches, and international referees. We offer a full range of opportunities for both beginners and advanced students.

USJA Member Club USJF Member Club Nanka Yudanshakai
Encino Judo Club members lined up on the beach in white judo gis during an outdoor practice
“To me, Judo is like ballet, except there's no music, no choreography, and the dancers knock each other down.”
— on the spirit of practice at the Encino Judo Club
Class information

Learn Kodokan Judo in a safe, structured setting.

Year-round classes with enough instructors to provide personalized attention at every level. Visitors are always welcome.

Location
St Paul's United Methodist Church
1800 S C St, Oxnard CA 93033
Class days
Mondays and Thursdays
Time
6:30 to 8:00 pm
Dues
$45 paid monthly
Uniform
A judogi is required after the first few classes — available from the Head Instructor as part of beginner signup.
Beginners
Ages 8 to adult. New beginners join at the start of each quarter.
Experienced
Students with judo or related experience may join at any time — inquire about placement.
Visitors
Always welcome to observe or try a class.
Beginner enrollment

Join at the start of a quarter

Beginners are welcomed during the first two classes of:

January · April · July · October

$45 / month
Get started
01

Fall safely

Ukemi — the art of falling — is the first thing every judo student learns. It builds confidence that carries into everything else.

02

Personalized instruction

With multiple instructors on the mat, every student gets individual attention whether they're brand new or advanced.

03

Year-round & welcoming

Classes run all year. Check our calendar or Facebook for holiday cancellations, and drop in any time to watch.

Our instructors

Decades of experience on the mat.

A team of certified, high-ranking instructors with backgrounds in competition, kata, refereeing, and coaching.

Hachidan · 8th dan

Neil Ohlenkamp

Founder & former Head Instructor

Practicing judo since 1968. Author of Judo Unleashed!, U.S. Team Coach at the Paralympic Games and World Championships, and a pioneer of judo education online through JudoInfo.com.

Yondan · 4th dan

Gene Demachi

Head Instructor

Began judo at age 7 at the Encino Judo Club. Third Head Instructor in the club's history, continuing its mission of affordable, community judo with a focus on local and regional competition.

Rokudan · 6th dan

Alain Wilkinson

Instructor

IJF Continental Referee and Pan-American Continental Kata Judge. Joined the club in 1997 and led the Camarillo dojo for a decade. Two-term Nanka Yudanshakai Referee Chairman.

Yondan · 4th dan

Yuka Demachi

Instructor

Started judo in Japan at age six. A successful competitor who placed in the All-Japan Junior High School Championships, she earned her black belt at 14 and now teaches at the club.

Nidan · 2nd dan

Jerrod Wilson

Instructor

A member since 2000 with multiple USJA instructor and coaching certifications. Believes the deepest lessons of judo are the life lessons learned on the mat.

Shodan · 1st dan

Justin Bennett

Instructor

With the club since 2007. “In Judo, as in life, when something blocks your path, step aside and move around it.”

In loving memory of Mark Herrschaft, Sandan, who taught with the club for 26 years.

Community & history

Clinics, demos, and decades on the mat.

The Encino Judo Club regularly hosts guest instructors and special clinics, and demonstrates judo throughout the community — from beach practices to the Oxnard Buddhist Temple Obon Festival.

A judo demonstration at the Oxnard Buddhist Temple Obon Festival — one practitioner throwing another on an outdoor mat
Obon Festival demonstration, Oxnard Buddhist Temple
A black-belt instructor helping a young child tie their belt on the mat
Personalized instruction for every age
Instructors kneeling in seiza before a judo clinic
Special clinic, Oxnard
Historical group photo of Encino Judo Club students and instructors on the mat
Class photo from the club's earlier years
Group photo of judo practitioners with a senbazuru thousand-cranes decoration
Goodwill practice with visiting judoka
A long tradition

Drawing on experts for advanced instruction.

The club has hosted clinics with legends of the art — including Harold Sharp (9th dan), "Judo" Gene LeBell (9th dan), and Phil Porter (9th dan) — alongside former World Champion AnnMaria DeMars, newaza sessions with Toshikazo Okada, and the Weekend of French Judo.

Neil Ohlenkamp served as Head Coach and National Coordinator for the judo programs of the Braille Institute of America and the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes, coaching visually impaired athletes to medals — including gold — at the 1988 Paralympic Games and 1990 World Championships.

Encino Judo Club members lined up on the beach in judo gis during an outdoor practice

Step onto the mat.

Beginners age 8 to adult are welcome at the start of each quarter. Visitors are always welcome to watch a class.

Contact Neil Ohlenkamp Call (805) 259-6699
Contact

Come try judo.

Reach out by text, phone, or email — or stop by during class hours. We proudly serve Oxnard, Ventura, Camarillo, Ojai, Port Hueneme, all of Ventura County and southern Santa Barbara County.

Phone or text
(805) 259-6699
Dojo location
St Paul's United Methodist Church
1800 S C St, Oxnard CA 93033