Master Dave

Dave started his training in the art of Kung Fu San Soo at the age of 15, under the direction and leadership of Master Al Ruben, in Riverside, California. At the age of 18, and only after 3 years of training, Dave received his black belt. Dave continued with his training for the next 10 years under Master Al, until his sudden death in 1987.

Master Dave then continued with his training under the direction and leadership of Grandmaster Jimmy H. Woo. Dave is extremely proud of the training and leadership he received from both Master Al Ruben and Jimmy H. Woo. Having the experience of training under Master Al and Jimmy Woo have been great accomplishments in Dave’s career in Kung Fu San Soo. .

Dave has continued to expand his own training experience and accomplishments to include Machado Brazilian Ju Jitsu and Lameco Eskrima under Dave Gould. Dave has passed on this training and experience in these arts to his students, affording his expertise as a martial artist to those under his direction and leadership.

In 1986, Dave began teaching Kung Fu San Soo full time here in Riverside, California. His school was located in a small building with approximately 10 students. Within one year he outgrew this location. Over the last several years, due the success of Dave’s school, he has had to move to larger and larger facilities in order to accommodate the growth of the school. Dave’s current school is located in Riverside, California, which boasts 4,000 sq. ft. and over 400 current students.

In addition to the many successes Dave has witnessed at his school, he has also had the privilege to teach Kung Fu San Soo overseas in Europe. Many of Dave’s former students have gone on to owning their own schools and furthering the teaching and training of this art.

The largest School in the Dave Hopkins association is owned and operated by Master Paul Schroder in El Paso Texas. Master Paul has been training in Kung Fu San Soo for over 20 years. He has also continued his Martial Arts education in other arts, including Aikido, Escrima, 10 years of Wing Chun experience, Muay Thai, Tae Kwon Do, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under the Relson Gracie Association. Master Paul’s Academy has over 300 active students. He is a proud member of the Dave Hopkins Association.

After the attack on the World Trade Center in New York City on September 9, 2001 (9/11), Master Hopkins was sought out to train pilots and flight attendants for American Airlines and United Airlines. Dave also had the great privilege to teach and train the United States Marines at Camp Pendleton, in California. The Marines are trained in this art and to render an attacker dysfunctional with merciless and deadly strikes that flow without interruption or hesitation. Further, Master Dave has had the awesome privilege of training agents from the United States Secret Service(SS), the Central Intelligence Agency(CIA), the Drug Enforcement Agency(DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation(FBI), and thousands of others, both locally and abroad. Many of the local Riverside Police Department officers have trained, and continue to train under Master Dave.

Dave’s love for teaching Kung Fu San Soo is unmatched by his love for his family. He is a proud husband and father and this family concept carries over to his students. If you train at Dave’s Academy, you are family and are treated as such. In addition to high caliber instruction and martial arts expertise, Dave’s ability to connect with his students has contributed to the success of his school, and the personal growth of those that join his ever growing academy.

"You can take my life, but not my confidence ."

- Grand Master- Jimmy H. Woo