Si Dai Charlie Tamati is a disciple of Sifu Robert McInnes as written about in the article, “Strictly for the Hardcore”, which featured in Fight Times 10 year anniversary edition, volume 11 issue 2.

Charlie’s martial arts career started in the late 70’s under his uncle Jack Bailey who he studied Jiu Jitsu with. From here he ventured into the world of karate learning the tiger style of Ku Kyru with Sensei Paul Roberts for approximately 4 years.

In the early 80’s he saw a demonstration by Sifu McInnes and his boys and was most impressed with the speed, skill and flowing movements of Sir Ge Dorr Kung Fu. From there he joined up with Sifu’s school and began his new challenge.

This led him to enter the well known and often talked about Inner Students Course. This comprised of training 6 days a week from 6am till 9pm. Learning kung fu the way the Shaolin Monks did 1000’s of years ago involved putting the body through some of the most vigorous conditioning. This course would separate the hardcore from the wannabe’s. He quotes Sifu’s rules for training:

Nothing is too hard
Never give up
Never question the trainers
Give 110% every day at training or don’t come.

During the following 15 years 100’s attempted the Inner Students Course but only 10 or so actually passed. In 1986 Si Dai Charlie passed and gained his Black Belt to become one of the elite in Sir Ge Dorr Kung Fu. To this day he trains himself and his students with these rules in mind.

Arm Strength Conditioning

Elbow Strike Technique

Sir Ge Dorr Kung Fu New Zealand

Si Dai Charlie runs a school at the Mt Albert Recreation Center in Auckland. He has classes Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights at 6.30 pm. The students range from age 5 to 50 years old so age is no barrier! Charlie says “For this or any other style if you build the mind then you can build the body. This will help you in your martial arts training and also your everyday life. Just apply the way you are taught to train in all aspects of your life and you will be amazed at the results”.

Keeping the style of Sir Ge Dorr alive is his passion, and with the Sifu in Thailand, Si Dai Charlie has done this by opening the Auckland branch 3 years ago. It is growing every day, and even students from the 80’s are coming back to train! He also trains with other Black Belts and his Si Suk while progressing with chambers on his black belt.

Annual training and grading trips to Sifu Robert McInnes’s school in Thailand are organised. Sifu is the Tai Shan Master so it is an honour and valuable experience for Charlie and the students.

Kids Crescent kick

Warm up session, sit ups

Hip Toss technique

The Future!

The future of Sir Ge Dorr Kung Fu in New Zealand is moving ahead strongly thru Si Dai Charlie, under the guidance of the Chief Instructor for the South Pacific, Si Suk Peddie Dordevich. It is always an important time for Charlie when Si Suk is in the country as there is always advanced knowledge and skills to be learnt. Si Suk also takes classes from time to time, which is a great honour for the school and students.

Si Dai Charlie hopes to have his own building one day so as to have the school open 5 days a week for the students to train, focus and honour the style with the dedication it requires and deserves. Sir Ge Dorr Kung Fu is alive and well in New Zealand with Charlie’s passion and energy moving it thru this modern era.

For more information contact Charlie on:

Mob: 021 106 7301
Email: [email protected]