History

Dartmouth Judo's roots extend back to Summer 2019, when Sensei Mike Lavoie, Head Sensei and one of the founding members of Spryfield Judo Kai, had a vision to bring Judo to Dartmouth, which was missing a formal Judo club for several years. The right location and space are a tough combination to find, but Mike's efforts paid off big when he found the hall our club now calls home at Christ Church in Downtown Dartmouth, and created an extension of the Spryfield club - Dartmouth Judo Kai.

Was it smooth sailing after finding such a great spot? A hurricane and a pandemic had something to say about that. But with perseverance and a no-quit attitude the club moved forward and continued to grow.

Who we are now

In the following years Dartmouth Judo Kai continued to grow into its own thriving Judo club with a group of dedicated members. By the Spring of 2026 it was decided that the best way to manage growth between both Judo Kai clubs was to manage them separately, and our club became Rockwater Judo.

What's changed? Only the name. We're in the same place, on the same mats, with the same instructors. Our goal is still to provide the best possible experience for our members, with the high quality training for all ages and skill levels.

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