Address

Rue Van Maerlant 2

At the corner of the Rue Belliard and the Rue Van Maerlant in Brussels. On the ground floor access to the sport facilities of the European Commission. Do not take the elevators - the upper floors are offices of the European Economic and Social Committee.

Facilities  

The dojo (training hall) is 11 x 12m with a tatami (padded floor) and punching bags. Changing rooms with showers are available, there are separate changing rooms for men and women.

Initially, any sports clothes will do. If you are there to stay, it is best to purchase the karate ‘gi’ clothes (sometimes called ‘kimono’).

Access to the building

If you have a badge from the Commission or another Brussels-based EU organisation, you will have easy access to the training premises. Anyone else will have to be registered for access to the building by the Club secretariat. External staff and trainees will have to be registered for access. To register, please send a copy of your ID to info@eckarate.eu.

Partner Agreement - Training at Blancke Academy Karate Club

Members of the Club are welcome to participate once a week free of charge in a class at the Blancke Academy Karate Club with Sensei Gunther in Uccle or Strombeek. This includes classes on Saturdays and Sundays. 

If you would like to participate more than once a week at the Blancke Academy, nominal fees may apply. Private lessons are also available.

(Free training at Blancke Academy does not apply to members who have a membership for only once-a-week training.)

On Tuesdays, the emphasis is on ‘kihon’: basic techniques and sequences of techniques. On Thursdays, emphasis is on ’kumite’: training with partner and sparring. On Fridays, emphasis is on ’kata’: perfection of sequences of movements and techniques. 

Every class starts with a warm-up. Sensei Gunther’s warm-up exercises are legendary and are a great workout in themselves.

If you are coming to try out a class, Tuesdays and Thursdays are best to see what the karate practice is like.