About Land Shark Martial Arts
“Why do I want to Teach? Simply to share the love of my art through my unstoppable passion to help others reach their very best!”
how land shark began
Grand Master Curtis Huff is currently a 6th degree black belt in the American Freestyle Karate system and is the Founder of the Land Shark Martial Arts Company. He has been training over three decades in the Martial Arts and is a lifetime student of the Arts. His foundation started at the age of seven as a wrestler before he knew this would send him down his Martial Arts path seeking the Way. He long dreamed of opening his own dojo that wasn’t “just mats, mirrors, and kanji on the walls.” His life is guided by the martial arts; his passion is fueled by trips to beaches around the world. He has combined these two interests to create a warm, inviting, and joyful place for people of all ages to learn martial arts while he was living in his home town of Eau Claire, WI…… far from the fun of ocean-side life. “It’s not just for me, it’s for my family and my community.”
At age 18, he tried a free lesson at Derek Kaio’s studio and was enlightened by the agility of the movements and never quit. At the same time, he earned his Degree in Law Enforcement in Eau Claire, WI. He changed his direction to follow his calling as a Professional Martial Arts Instructor. In 2016, he opened his first Land Shark Martial Arts studio in Eau Claire, WI. This dojo is a passionate community hub for students and his family, he said, “not just a business to make money and hand out belts.”
Each trip he’s taken to a beach has influenced him and he is persistent to share that feeling of wonder with others. One of his favorite inspirations was “…on the North Shore in Hawaii, practicing Kata (martial arts forms) with his master of the American Freestyle Karate System in the sand. It was a beautiful moment in time that has never left me. I have traveled to beaches all over the USA, Mexico, Jamaica, Japan and love each one. It’s the sand in your toes and the salty taste on your lips of the ocean. It is heaven!”
The next chapter for LSMA’s is the New Owner/ Sensei/ Pro Kickboxer Craig Schummer & his New location in Eau Claire, WI!
Master Curtis Huff’s DREAM of practicing the American Freestyle System on the beaches of Hawaii with his family and students has come full circle! You can find him training in the soft sand at Kailua Beach, Hawaii year-round!
If you would like to study the unique American Freestyle System from Grand Master Curtis Huff, he can be found at the UFC GYM in Kailua as their Traditional Mixed Martial Arts Coach.
highlights
Opened Eau Claire, WI Location in 2016
Professional Black Belt instructors
Karate, Sparring, and Weapons Classes
Cardio, Strength, & Conditioning Training
Started Teaching American Freestyle Karate System at the UFC GYM in Kailua Hawaii 2024
American Freestyle karate System
Is a MMA that combines many different disciplines in one system:
American Kempo Karate, Shorei-Ryu Karate, Taekwondo, Aikido, Judo, Traditional Jujitsu, Kyushu-Jutsu, Wrestling, BJJ, Boxing, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Pankration & Eskrima.
Adapts and changes as new techniques are integrated through ongoing training
Focused on the 7 Core Values; Honor, Respect, Discipline, Strength, Integrity, Humility & most important real Self-Defense skills
Training on the Beaches in California.
Training in the white sand at Pensacola Beach, Florida.
Training in New York.
Training on the beaches in Hawaii
Studying some Jeet Kune Do at UFC GYM in Tokyo, Japan.
Another favorite memories was testing, my two older brothers to their Red Belts In Anchorage, Alaska.
