began training at 14 yrs, there were not many good quality Chinese Masters willing to teach English students so he trained under an English instructor for approximately 3 yrs, as more books were published on Chinese Martial Arts Dave realised that what he was learning, was not authentic Kung Fu. Eventually he joined the British Tai Chi and Shaolin Kung Fu Ass, and went on to become a partner where he taught the Wah Lum Preying Mantis System.
He travelled to Florida for many years, training at the Wah Lum Temple eventually becoming Master Chans representative in the UK.
Dave qualified for the 2nd world Wu Shu Championships in 1986; the Team came 5th over all out of 25 countries.
He has also competed in the USA as part of the British Kuoshu Team, gaining a forth place with his Double Broadswords form.
Dave has successfully coached many of his students to international standard; they have gone on to win medals in China and the USA.
After competing at his last Tournament in Seattle, he was feeling that although the Wah Lum system had great forms there was something missing, and it was at this meeting in Seattle that he found Choy Lee Fut. Great forms but done with such speed and power!
Back in the Uk he took his team to the 1st Euro Wirral kung fu Tournament, where he met Master Edmund Ng of the Choy Lee Fut system, and although his team won several categories he was so impressed with the standard of Master Ng’s students, he travelled up to his school in Newcastle and became a student. Sifu Dave Hawkins now teaches Choy Lee Fut in the Midlands. Another important part of C.L.F is the Lion Dance, Dave first started after he returned from China in 1986. He was taught by a Chinese friend who was a great Lion Dancer back in Hong Kong, his name is Wai Po Cheng (David) he was also a C.L.F student when he was young.
The team now represent Birmingham and, Worcester Chinese Communities, in 2004 they performed at the Royal Albert Hall, for the Blue Peter Proms, a week later they were back in London at the National Lion and Dragon dance Festival, held in Leicester Square.
In 2006 they performed the Lion on the high Jongs, and the Dragon Dance in front of 9,000 people at Birmingham’s
Military Tattoo, which was held at the N I A. And in 2007 they became the BCCMA, Traditional Lion Dance Champions! The club also offers the chance to travel to Hong Kong, China or Malaysia, to meet with some of the top Masters of CLF, and Lion and Dragon dance.
