About the Encino Judo Club

The Encino Judo Club was founded 45 years ago dedicated to promoting judo and jujutsu. We have taught thousands of students at dozens of locations throughout Southern California. Self-defense and Judo programs have been carefully designed for all interests. Expert instructors combine martial arts techniques with modern teaching methods to ensure a fun and safe learning environment.

Our members have included national and world champions, world-class coaches, and international referees. We regularly host Judo tournaments, self defense seminars, special clinics, demonstrations and certification courses offering a full range of opportunities for both beginners and advanced. The Encino Judo Club is a member club of USJA, USJF, and Nanka Yudanshakai. We also have been very involved in a program for the visually impaired in cooperation with the Braille Institute of America and the US Association of Blind Athletes.

See photos of our classes, or learn more about Judo at the Judo Information Site created by Neil Ohlenkamp. To order Judo t-shirts and gifts please see the Encino Judo Club products.

Our Expert Instructors

Instructor Neil Ohlenkamp being thrown skillfully by Rhett Smith, 10

• Neil Ohlenkamp -- Head Instructor of the Encino Judo Club
• Jurgen Wahl -- Founder of the Encino Judo Club
• Alain Wilkinson, Ludovic Hilde, Gene Demachi, Helmut Nestler, Mark Herrschaft -- Instructors at Oxnard Buddhist Temple
• Other black belt members of the Encino Judo Club assist in coaching, refereeing, and special events
• Guest instructors visit frequently and are always welcome

Class Schedule

Personalized instruction from instructor Eileen Hagen

Please check our online calendar for any class cancellations (for example holidays). You may call the phone number shown below, or send an email to the head instructor for more information. We proudly serve Oxnard, Ventura, Camarillo, Ojai, Port Hueneme and all of Ventura County.

Oxnard Buddhist Temple at 250 South H Street (the corner of H and 2nd) in Oxnard, California. Instructor phone number: (805) 259-6699. Classes are held on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:00pm, and Fridays from 7 to 8:30pm. Fees are $30/month. Beginners are welcome to join or try it out at any time.

Other Events of the Encino Judo Club

Here are a few of the special judo clinics conducted by the Encino Judo Club. In 2011 we flew in two outstanding guest instructors from France for a clinic -- The Weekend of French Judo. In 2008 the Encino Judo Club hosted a clinic with Jin Iizumi and Gary Goltz. In 2007 the Encino Judo club hosted a newaza clinic with Harold Sharp and Toshikazo Okada. In 2006 the Encino Judo Club hosted a clinic with former World Champion AnnMaria DeMars (and her daughter) where she showed some judo games and techniques like her favorite armlock. This was followed by a club tournament. Here is a report of a USJA Grassroots Clinic conducted by Neil Ohlenkamp in 2006.

Encino Judo Club instructors Alain Wilkinson (front left) and Eileen Hagen (front right) with Ichiro Abe, 10th degree black belt, and two other Kodokan instructors after a Kata clinic

The first promotions at the Encino Judo Club class at the Camarillo YMCA led by Mark Herrschaft (May 2007)

We now offer official Encino Judo Club t-shirts, sweatshirts and other merchandise. We regularly host tournaments, clinics, demonstrations, and classes. Here's a video of our club tournament held in Oxnard in 2005. Here is a photo from the Ventura County Star showing the Judo demonstration at the 2006 Oxnard Buddhist Temple Obon Festival. The photo below shows a big ura nage throw during the 2005 demonstration at the Obon Festival.

Judo class at Oxnard Buddhist Temple on May 10, 2005.

Goodwill Practice with Japanese Self Defense Forces June 30, 2005.

This photo (below) shows some of the instructors at an Encino Judo Club clinic about 25 years ago including (from left to right) Harold Sharp (8 dan), "Judo" Gene Lebell (8 dan), Phil Porter (9 dan), and three instructors from the Encino Judo Club -- Toney Raven (7 dan), Bill Nauta (6 dan), and Neil Ohlenkamp.