Ken Guge Head Instructor
Kenneth Guge became interested in grappling arts during his teen years as a competitive high school wrestler. In 2002, he became a practitioner of Judo, starting with the Five Cities Judo Club in Arroyo Grande, California. Since then, he has taken on the position of Head Judo Instructor at Central Coast Judo in Pismo Beach California, as well as Inner Strength Martial Arts in Santa Maria, California. He still trains regularly to continually learn and hone techniques, and enjoys sharing his knowledge with others.
Ken received the rank of Shodan- First Degree Black Belt, in 2014. He has earned his USA Judo Coaches Certificate, and his Promotional Referee’s Certification. He has also completed Safesport Training, and the Heads Up! Concussion In Youth Sports Training For Coaches.
You can find out more about Ken and his thoughts on Judo at his website: www.beginningjudo.com
Ken received the rank of Shodan- First Degree Black Belt, in 2014. He has earned his USA Judo Coaches Certificate, and his Promotional Referee’s Certification. He has also completed Safesport Training, and the Heads Up! Concussion In Youth Sports Training For Coaches.
You can find out more about Ken and his thoughts on Judo at his website: www.beginningjudo.com
Past Instructors
Troy Wicker Head Instructor
Troy Wicker has been an active member of the judo scene on the central coast for over twenty years. As a member of the three major judo organizations, USJF, USJA and USA Judo, Troy has trained with the San Fernando, Coastal and the Five Cities/Central Coast Judo clubs. He has competed and placed highly in numerous tournaments, and as an instructor he is constantly seeking out new ideas and methods by studying the training techniques of masters from all over the world. In his free time Troy is also an avid mountain biker, trail runner, telemark skier and in the past has been a volunteer member of the Southern California Nordic Ski Patrol.
Jody Dowel Instructor
Jody Dowell began judo when he was 13 years old in 1989 as a member of Five Cities Judo Academy. As a former competitor, he was fortunate to travel to Japan as part of a High School Goodwill touring team in both 1994 and 1995. He has also helped many Judokas achieve multiple national championships. Jody has strong ties to all the dojos in the Central Coast area (Santa Ynez Judo, Santa Barbara Judo, UCSB Judo, Coastal Judo, and CEM Judo). Once a strong competitor, Jody enjoys all aspects of Judo. A graduate of UCSB, Jody is a Special Education teacher and enjoys applying teaching concepts as a Judo Instructor. Jody approaches Judo as a philosophy of life and enjoys the opportunities to expand his own knowledge whenever possible.
Chris Balsillie Kids Class Instructor/Operations
Chris' martial arts background started with Karate, but once he tried Judo he never looked back. He and his two sons train and compete in judo across the state of California. In addition to Judo, Chris is an avid surfer, snowboarder, runner and mountain biker. Chris runs the day to day operations at Central Coast Judo.
