Master Austin Curtis
Master Curtis is a husband, father of 3 and the Head Instructor at Santa Barbara Dojo. He was named Hall of Fame Instructor of the Year in 2022 and was recently appointed President of Calfornia’s chapter of the Global Hapkido Association. He’s a 6th Dan Black Belt in Hapkido, and is also ranked in Tae Kwon Do and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Hello!
Thank you for your interest in our martial arts academy and for taking the time to read a bit about the leadership team behind it. As the Head Instructor, it is my job to ensure that every class provides the highest level of service for our students. I am lucky to have the support of my family and this amazing team around me. Without them, none of this would be possible.
On this page, you’ll find some more information about me and my background, but please remember this: Santa Barbara Dojo is not about me; it’s about our mission to strengthen families of our community through the Martial Arts. That is what is most important!
This occupation is not only a passion but my calling. Thank you again, and please contact us if we can do anything for you.
Respectfully yours,
Master W. Austin Curtis
Family of Martial Artists: My Brother, Mom, Sister, and I
The Whole Curtis Family!
Surrounded by some incredible Black Belts and Masters
My Teaching Style
Important Concepts
De-Escalation
Self-Awareness
Character Development
Self-Defense Skills
Flexibility and Strength
The Art of Not Getting Hit
Family Values
Important in Every Class
Everyone is Safe
Everyone is Smiling
Everyone is Sweating
Everyone is Shown Respect
Everyone is Improving
My Background
Martial Arts Experience
Took First Kenpo Class in Toronto with Dad, 1989
Took First Hapkido Class in Honolulu, HI, 1996
Earned Black Belt in Hapkido, 1999
Earned Black Belt in Taekwondo, 1999
Earned 2nd Dan in Hapkido, 2003
Earned 3rd Dan in Hapkido, 2005
Earned 4th Dan in Hapkido, 2009
Earned 5th Dan in Hapkido, 2014
Earned 6th Dan in Hapkido, 2018
Took First BJJ Class, 2018
Earned Blue Belt in BJJ, 2019
Earned Purple Belt in BJJ, 2022
Awarded “Instructor of the Year” USMAHOF, 2022
Appointed President of California’s Chapter of Global Hapkido Association, 2023
Personal History
Graduated High School, 2000
Graduated Covenant Bible College, 2001
Moved to Santa Barbara, 2001
Co-Founded Martial Arts Family Fitness, 2002
Graduated SBCC, 2005
Married, 2006
Graduated UCSB, 2008
Became a Dad x3, 2008-2013
Returned to the Dojo fulltime, 2012
Became Owner of MAFF, 2020
Rebranded MAFF to Santa Barbara Dojo, 2020
TRAINING with my family
My Brother and I, 1989
My Brother and I, 1997
My Brother and I, 2002
My Brother and I, 2016
Always excited to train with my girls!
Training with Daughter #1 after her 10th surgery
Proud dad right here of Daughter #2
My Sister and I, 2021
My Mom and I, 2013
My wife can still take me
Training with my Heros
Training Hapkido with GM Hee Kwan Lee
Training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with Professor Seth Hopkins
Training JKD with Sifu Diana Lee Inosanto
Training Hapkido with Master Garret Curtis
Training Hapkido with GM David Wheaton
Training Kali with Master Apollo Ladra
Training Kickboxing with Bill "Superfoot" Wallace
Training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with Professor Sardinha
Training Kickboxing with GM Randy Reid
Training with Master Roland Osborne and Daughter #2
Training JKD with Sifu Ron Balicki
Training Kickboxing with Benny “the Jet” Urquidez
a few proud moments
Becoming Owner at Santa Barbara Dojo, 2020
Receiving “Instructor of the Year”, 2022
Being Accepted into the Global Hapkido Association, 2023
Named California President of GHA, 2023
Love this shot from my 2nd Dan Test 2003
Proud to have tested for 5th Dan with my brother, 2014
Receiving a Purple Belt in BJJ from Professor Leopoldo 2022
Super fun competing in BJJ for the first time, 2023
a few Fun moments
The time an 8 year old asked to take me down for his “Favorite Technique'“
If you want some martial arts comedy, look up Master Ken
Search Cobra Kai Prank on Youtube to get an idea of what happened just before this.
Rexkwondo is effective on the street and in the octagon.