Our Instructors

OUR UNPARALLELED STANDARDS MAKE US THE WORLD’S BEST

Our Encinitas Karate instructors go through a very extensive selection process to insure we have only the best and most talented instructors in the world. Once selected, they are put through an intense and rigorous training period to guarantee the quality of instruction that our students will receive. Once a Encinitas Karate instructor is certified to teach our unique and effective system, they are then required to receive continuing martial arts and instructor education yearly. All our Certified Instructors are hold Black Belts, and most of them have been practicing Martial Arts since childhood.

This on-going training allows our instructors to stay up to date on the latest and most effective self- defense techniques, teaching methods, and exercise science. This re-certification process is our assurance that every Encinitas Karate student will continue to receive only the very best in martial arts training. Encinitas Karate instructors are professionals, we are experts in what we do. We expect our instructors to be the best, so you can expect the best from our instructors.

Each student is treated with respect, and is trained to the best of their own ability and potential. A student is never compared to anyone else. All of our instructors are highly motivated and care about ‘proper instruction’ of each and every student. All techniques are shown, broken down and taught in a slow, controlled and most importantly, supervised environment, until such a time as the instructors feel the student has mastered the technique.

At Encinitas Karate our instructors are there to guide, instruct, and motivate you to be the best that you can be.

MASTER SANTHI CASTLE
MASTER INSTRUCTOR/ OWNER

Master Santhi Castle began her martial arts career in 1982 at the young age of 10 years old in Kajang, Malaysia. After 8 years of consistent training and dedication to traditional Shotokan karate, she earned her 1st Degree Black belt. She has spent more than 42 years training in Martial Arts.

Santhi relocated to the United States in 1993 where she continued her training.

The school’s mission is to make students more successful in life by teaching a Karate based traditional martial arts system producing students who are positive, confident, respectful and who adhere to high personal standards of conduct.

Master castle is a National Tang Soo Federation certified Instructor under Master Chung Sik Kim. Her passion stems from her upbringing and the need she saw for self defense and protection as a woman in Malaysia.  She has overcome many struggles in life to be where she is today, and is proud to represent the art. 

As a woman of color, it was a slow progress to build this business but I did it due to my abilities, teaching skills and desire and help from a great team of staff and instructors.

MR. CASTLE
LEAD INSTRUCTOR

Lead Instructor Mr. Castle has been teaching Tang Soo Do with us since 2014 and began his martial arts training at the age of four under Master Castle. He also achieved his 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree black belts under Master Castle here at Encinitas Karate.

Through over 15 years of training Mr. Castle has adopted his mother’s passion for martial arts and made it his own, now using what he has learned to teach our young students and guide them on the path to becoming successful martial artists. Considering that every student has different strengths and weaknesses, Mr. Castle believes in getting to know students individually in order to understand how best to teach and guide them on their journey.

Outside of the studio, Mr. Castle works as an accountant and enjoys video gaming, spending time with close friends and is a proud cat dad.

MR. HOBROCK
INSTRUCTOR

Mr. Hobrock has been a student with us since he was 8 years old and has been training for more than 17 years. He has been teaching at the studio for the past 7 years, and is currently a third degree black belt. While working here he put himself through college in mechanical engineering and has recently graduated.

MR. LEE
ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR

Mr. Lee has been teaching with us for the past 2 years but has been a student of Master Castle since age 3 and for the past 14 years. He currently has his 2nd degree Black belt and is working towards his third degree. Outside the studio Mr. Lee enjoys cooking, music, and welding fabrication.

MR. Brown
ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR

Mr. Brown has been a student of Master Castle since age 6 and 10 years. He currently has his 2nd degree Black belt and is working towards his third degree. Outside the studio Mr. Brown enjoys playing football, wrestling, and playing video games.

MS. Rylyn
FRONT DESK

Ms. Rylyn is currently working towards her B.A. Nursing and has been part of our studio family for many years. She is currently learning Korean and enjoys baking and singing.

MS. ERIN/SMOOTHIE
STUDIO MANAGER

Ms. Erin, also known as Ms. Smoothie, has been a student with our studio since she was 3 years old and has been practicing for the past 19 years. She has achieved her 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree black belts under Master Castle here at Encinitas Karate. After taking a short break from the studio to complete her B.A.. She is back in San Diego studying for her M.A. She manages the font desk/ studio and assisting classes when need be for our program. 

Ms. Smoothie has a background in Recreation and has always had a passion for camps, the outdoors and recreational education. She specializes in Deaf Youth Outdoor Recreation, and will be helping us with all of our upcoming events. Outside of the studio Ms. Erin roller skates, does ceramics, and is an avid baker.