Living the karate way in Umdloti

When you see the soft spoken dad with his two gentle daughters you would never assume that this trio have some serious karate skills under their belts.

Jean-Robert Bonnin’s love for karate was born when his parents bought a beach cottage in Umdloti in 1979.

“We went to the cottage for our first Easter holiday and never returned home. A year later, I started karate lessons under the local sensei Arnold Bosman who lived in Mount Moreland. He was this tough Dutchman who used to really beat us up,” chuckled Bonnin, who today is the managing director of the family property business, Bonnins Estates.

“I was not the most naturally talented, but I worked really hard at it. The discipline and focus karate has taught me has helped me tremendously in life. It taught me that what you put in, you get out.”

Bonnin met his wife Michelle in Umdloti when he was 15 and she trained with him.

They travelled the world from England to Australia training with various renowned sensei until the early 90’s.

When the two black belts returned, Bonnin began teaching karate from the former Umdloti ski boat club (now in Newsel Road). It was a big hit.

“The club had grown substantially. I was training up to six days a week for probably close to six hours a day. I used to be very competitive, but it changed me and made me too serious,” said Bonnin, whose favourite move is the “foot sweep” which “puts you on your bum with just a tap”.

Bonnins now only focuses on what he finds most fulfilling – teaching.

“Seeing how karate helps children, especially those with learning disabilities or personality issues, is so rewarding.”

This change is a process Bonnin’s daughters – 21-year-old Jordan and 17-year-old Emma-Lee – have witnessed since starting karate from the age of five.

“Karate does not discriminate. In fact, the small guys are usually the scariest,” said Jordan, who is working towards her black belt.

She said she cannot imagine life without karate.

“My sister and I have hardly ever missed a lesson.”

The only one who has taken a step back from the ancient martial art is their mom.
“During lessons, my dad takes on a different role – he is the sensei, not our dad. It is hard for my mom to see us put on our suits and train hard. She is a gentle soul.”

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