About Roy Fretwell
Wing Chun Instructor Richmond
Living a life dedicated to martial arts & emotional wellbeing
I am Roy Fretwell, a Wing Chun Kung Fu Instructor based in Richmond and Battersea and have been teaching martial arts for over 40 years.
I am an accredited Wing Chun Instructor for the Kamon Martial Arts Federation and in 2022 I was awarded the Kamon Wing Chun Master Award by its founder, Master Kevin Chan.
In addition to Wing Chun Kung Fu, I have also trained in other martial arts including Judo, Combat Sombo, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Teaching Wing Chun for today
I teach the art of Wing Chun Kung Fu in a way that is relevant to everyday life, including self-protection and mindfulness. Wing Chun Kung Fu is good for improving your self-confidence, balance and co-ordination.
My Wing Chun classes in Richmond are small with student focused training for all levels – from beginner to advanced, in a safe and friendly environment.
The Richmond class is suitable for everyone aged 12 upwards.
Additionally, I provide private tuition in Richmond or Battersea, including one-to-one or small groups. All Wing Chun training is tailored to your personal training objectives.
My journey through martial arts training
As a young child, very shy and introverted, I lacked confidence and found socialising difficult. At the tender age of around 8 I discovered Judo being taught locally. This was my first introduction to the world of martial arts. To my parents’ delight, I began to slowly come out of my shell.
A few years later, I began hearing about something called Wing Chun Kung Fu. Curiously, around 1972, I joined a martial arts school in Sidcup, Kent. This was at a time when the Wing Chun style was lesser known in Europe. And some instructors were not teaching the genuine martial art.
Eventually,, Kung Fu became wider known because of the legendary Bruce Lee. Inspired by him, it became my mission to find a Wing Chun Kung Fu school.
My Wing Chun Kung Fu journey began properly when I started training with the Simon Lau Martial Arts Academy. Several years later, I became an Assistant Instructor. I trained with different instructors before meeting Master Kevin Chan, the founder of Kamon Wing Chun and Kamon BJJ.
“Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it”
Bruce Lee, Author of Tao of Jeet Kune Do
Wing Chun Kung Fu helped my emotional wellbeing
In my late 30s to early 40s I began to experience general anxiety due to a number of factors. I thought I could simply work through it, but the anxiety became progressively worse and culminated in an emotional breakdown. I was subsequently signed off sick from work and entered a period of depression for up to five months.
Fortunately, during my depressive episode, I was able to have access to help and support to devise different coping strategies. Importantly, I discovered that my martial arts training was a great source of comfort and strength. It certainly played a large part in getting me through depression and anxiety.
Wing Chun can improve your wellbeing too
Two decades on, I have been sharing my knowledge of martial arts and mental health to help others. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing my Wing Chun students’ progress; either to become fitter, more self-confident, or have a greater sense of emotional balance and wellbeing.
If you can relate to my experience in any way, I am happy to discuss with you, what you would like to achieve through your Wing Chun training so I can ensure your training is personal to you and your goals.
Roy Fretwell Wing Chun Instructor Richmond