Chief Instructor & Founder – Viper Martial Arts

Hi, I’m David — founder of Viper Martial Arts and a dedicated Taekwondo instructor based in Holsworthy, Devon.

My martial arts journey began in 2003 at an after-school karate class in Leicester, run by Shane Varney’s Karate School. From the first session, I was hooked. I trained for years, competing at inter-club and national-level events, and exploring other styles such as MMA, Kung Fu, Jeet Kune Do, Kali, and XMA.

As someone who grew up with asthma, fitness didn’t come easily. But through persistence and passion, I overcame those limits. In 2011, I earned my 1st Degree Black Belt under the watchful eye of 9th Dan Grandmaster Ian Parker — a moment I’ll always be proud of.

But earning a black belt is just the beginning. I continued training, eventually achieving my 2nd Degree Black Belt in 2017 after a private grading with a panel of respected instructors. Along the way, I also worked across Europe teaching windsurfing and skiing — but my passion for martial arts always called me back.

In 2023, I founded Viper Martial Arts to create the kind of club I always wanted to be part of — inclusive, encouraging, and built around community. We started with just seven students and now proudly run multiple weekly classes for all ages and abilities.

In September 2024, I had the opportunity to take my 3rd Degree Black Belt with the Byrne Black Belt Academy — the largest martial arts school in Cornwall. After just two months of intensive training, I completed a tough four-hour grading alongside martial artists from across the county. The standard was incredibly high, and after rounds of sparring, pad drills, and group fighting, I earned the rank I’d been working toward for years.

Following this, I made a major leap forward for the school by enrolling Viper Martial Arts under the Superfoot System — a kickboxing overlay developed by legendary Grandmaster Bill “Superfoot” Wallace. Focused on advanced lead-leg kicking techniques, this system is now integrated across all our classes and is already inspiring the next generation of black belts.

I completed both my Superfoot Instructor Award and earned my 1st Degree Superfoot Black Belt in May 2025 — just two weeks before my next great adventure: welcoming my twin babies, William and Ellen, into the world.

My mission remains the same — to help each student unlock their potential, push their limits, and enjoy every step of their martial arts journey.

And as always… the journey continues.