About Deep Water Kung Fu
Are the arts taught at Deep Water Kung Fu “Authentic”?
In Chinese martial arts circles, there is always talk of the great masters fleeing mainland China during the massive societal upheavals like WWII and the following Communist Revolution. The prolonged conflict of the second world war brought immense suffering through violence, hyperinflation, and economic collapse, culminating in the Communist victory and the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 under Mao Zedong. Many who didn’t flee were killed, and much martial knowledge was lost.
Master Zhang Jun Feng was one of these great martial artists who escaped the mainland turmoil, and he moved to Taiwan in 1948 due to the issues in China. A private student of Gao Yisheng (the creator of the Gao style of baguazhang), he was Chairman of the Tianjin City Martial Arts Association and was known for his fighting skill. Master Zhang passed along his skills to the renowned Hong family in Taipei, and Master Hong Yixiang (aka Hung I-Hsiang) became famous for his abilities in both the external and internal arts. His student, Master Luo Dexiu, carried on these teachings with his own school, which is still regarded as one of the best sources of functional internal arts in the world.
Our head instructor lived in Taiwan, Republic of China for over two decades, where he studied directly under Luo Laoshi (“Teacher Luo”) in these authentic, traditional arts. These are not modern wushu dances with flowery forms; rather, these arts originate from practical and well-known martial lineages and instructors (with historical references and sources, not just vague, “oral history”). This is as “authentic” as Kung Fu gets, and is quite unique to this part of the world.
Instructors and Lineage
Teacher Matthew Preston
Teacher Matthew has traveled and lived in countries all over Asia, training in Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan and Taiwan, the Republic of China. Having trained in multiple styles from across countries, his experience in the art of Kung Fu includes Southern styles of Shaolin, as well as focus on the arts of Gao Style Bagua Zhang, Hebei Xingyi Quan, and others.
After many years of teaching in Taipei, returning to Canada is a good opportunity to continue instructing in the martial way.
Our main lineage:
Gao Yisheng > Zhang Jun Feng > Hong Yixiang > Luo Dexiu > Matthew Preston
Facilities and Training
Our modern facilities provide the perfect environment for students to immerse themselves in the practice of Kung Fu. Spacious training halls (both hardwood and padded) and decades of martial arts experience ensures that students have everything they need to pursue their Kung Fu journey with focus and determination.
The Deep Water Philosophy
At Deep Water Kung Fu, our philosophy is rooted in the belief that Kung Fu is not just a physical practice, but a way of life. We strive to cultivate a holistic approach to training, emphasizing discipline, respect, and inner strength. Our approach is to empower our students with the wisdom and principles of Kung Fu, guiding them towards personal growth and self-mastery.