Free Open Evening · Wed 9 December · 7pm–8.30pm · Three Bridges
Mantis Fist Kung Fu School · Three Bridges, Crawley

The Mantis Doors Are Open For One Evening

Step inside a real old-skool kung fu training hall. Watch a class train, see the school and ask Sifu anything you like. It’s free, for adults 18+, and there are only 12 places.

Reserve My Free Place
12 places · Booking only · No walk-ins

You won’t be asked to train. Come in your normal clothes, watch, and decide for yourself.

Sifu Stephen Tansley welcoming you through the open red doors of the Mantis Fist training hall
DateWednesday 9 December
Time7pm – 8.30pm
WhereThree Bridges, Crawley
CostFree
WhoAdults 18+
Places12 · Booked only

The full address and parking details are sent to you as soon as you book.

What happens on the night

Ninety minutes inside the hall

  1. 7.00pm

    Come through the doors

    You’re met at the door and shown around the training hall: the iron jars, the wooden frame, the bags, the weapons and the lineage on the wall. Nothing staged.

  2. 7.15pm

    Watch real training

    Sit at the side and watch the class train exactly as it does every week. You’ll see what old-skool Chow Gar Southern Mantis actually looks like up close.

  3. 8.00pm

    Ask Sifu anything

    The training, the grading, the history, the conditioning, the cost, whether you’re too old or too unfit. Ask whatever’s on your mind and get a straight answer.

  4. 8.30pm

    Go home and think about it

    If you want to take the next step, you’ll be told how. If not, no problem. Nobody will chase you round the car park.

Times are a guide; the evening runs from 7pm to 8.30pm.

Be honest with yourself

Is this evening for you?

Come along if…

  • You’ve always wanted to train in a proper traditional kung fu hall
  • You trained years ago and miss it
  • You want to see the school before you commit to anything
  • You’re an adult who wants real skill, not a cardio class
  • You have questions and want honest answers face to face

Don’t bother if…

  • You want a fast-track belt
  • You’re looking for a fight or want to prove something
  • You want a fitness class with music on
  • You’ll book a place and not turn up
Who you’ll meet

Sifu Stephen Tansley

Stephen has been training since 1984, including Shotokan karate at the JKA headquarters in Tokyo, and has studied Chow Gar Southern Praying Mantis under Master Paul Whitrod, the art’s UK representative.

“I’d rather you came in, watched and asked me straight than read about it online. Then you’ll know.”

  • 1984Started martial arts training
  • TokyoTrained at the JKA Honbu dojo, Japan
  • 2005Chow Gar Southern Praying Mantis Instructor certificate, signed by Paul Whitrod Sifu
  • 2012Qualified as tutor in kung fu and in traditional dit da
Why only twelve?

No walk-ins. No exceptions.

The class will be training while you watch. Twelve guests is what the hall holds without getting in the way of the students, and it means everyone gets their questions answered.

If you haven’t booked, you won’t get in. When the 12 places are gone, booking closes.

Reserve your place

Book your free place

Wed 9 December · 7pm–8.30pm

Pick the 7pm slot, add your details, done. One booking per person.

No time slot showing? The evening is full.
Prefer to book by phone, or want the waiting list?
07913 377775

Questions

Before you book

Do I have to join in?
No. This is a watch-and-ask evening. Come in your normal clothes. You won’t be asked to train.
Is it really free?
Yes. No charge, no card details, nothing to pay on the night.
Will I get a hard sell?
No. You’ll be told what the next step is if you want one, and that’s it. The point of the evening is that you leave knowing whether Mantis is for you.
Can I bring a friend?
Yes, but they need to book their own place. With only 12 places, nobody can be let in without a booking.
I’m over 40 / not fit. Is that a problem?
Not for watching, and that’s a good question to ask Sifu on the night. Many people start traditional kung fu later in life.
Can under-18s come?
No. The school and this evening are for adults 18 and over.
Where is it, and is there parking?
Three Bridges, Crawley. The full address and parking details are sent the moment you book.
What if I can’t make it after booking?
Please call or text 07913 377775 so your place can go to someone on the waiting list.

The doors don’t stay open

One evening. Twelve places. Come and see a real old-skool training hall for yourself, then decide.

Reserve My Free Place

Wednesday 9 December · 7pm–8.30pm · Adults 18+ · Free