Our family started our Pacific International Taekwondo journey back in January 2016, when my son joined the school. He was young when we joined him up to Taekwondo. We wanted him to have more confidence in himself and enjoy doing something he believed he could do well.
Right from the start the instructors were terrific with young children, friendly and understanding. My daughter then started in July 2017, as she had watched her brother and wanted to prove she could do anything he could do. And as she had been watching for some time, she already knew people at the branch so was comfortable learning with them.
When it came to gradings, both kids were nervous about being tested in front of Grand Master. However, with encouragement and letting them know everyone was there to help them, they both got through their first few belts.
They were very pleased with themselves once they achieved the next belt level. After gaining the new belt or tip, they would be excited about learning their new patterns, however by the time the next grading was coming up, the nervousness would happen all over again.
The higher they rose in the grades, the more they started to ask themselves if they could reach the next level successfully. As junior black belt got closer and closer their apprehension became more intense. My son wanted to pull out a number of times so we did give him a break. It didn’t last long as we wanted him to learn to finish the things he started. We felt he was very good at Taekwondo and could go all the way to black belt.
Now both kids have become Junior Black Belts. The day they graded and were presented with their belts you couldn’t wipe the smiles from their faces. It was a big achievement for both of them.
I asked my son if he was happy we made him stick with it, he didn’t need to think about it, he came back with a very enthusiastic YES. After achieving his black belt he has now moved on, found himself a job and become independent at a young age. I would love to see him come back to Taekwondo one day and go higher, help to instruct other class members and strengthen his confidence in a different way.
The journey definitely had ups and downs for them. They both went through bouts of apprehension and not believing in their ability to reach black belt. But with patience, determination and encouragement from their Instructors, who have been amazing, they’ve done it and it’s done wonders for their confidence.
Now my daughter has gone on to get a Junior Assistant Instructor badge and is working towards her 1st Dan.
After watching my kids over the last number of years and seeing the help they received from the Pacific International Instructors, I decided to join too. So now I’m on my own journey – and wishing I had done it 10 years ago, as I would have been younger and fitter! I was terrified at my first grading, however as I didn’t die out on the grading floor, I have kept going and am I am surprised at how far I have come.
I’m still nervous at each grading and now totally understand, what my kids went through, how you can feel you can do it one minute and doubt yourself the next.
I’m enjoying spending the time with my daughter, especially with her being a higher belt then me, as I can also ask her any questions and get her to check if I’m doing something incorrectly.
All the Instructors we have dealt with are encouraging and help you as much as you need. They have given both my daughter and me the confidence to keep going.
If you want to learn taekwondo, they are more than happy to help you, and they all love what they do. I would totally recommend the Pacific International Taekwondo to anyone looking at giving Taekwondo a try.
