Frequently Asked Questions about Training at RedBoatUniversity.com
Whether you’re new to martial arts or are a seasoned athlete there will always be questions, if yours is not answered here please call or email us today as we are more than happy to help.
I’ve never done Wing Chun before, Do you have beginners kung fu classes?
We all start somewhere! And with online learning you have more control over the pace at which you learn. If you just want to try it out for now we recommend the Free Membership, which gives you access to a few of the Beginner’s Course classes and some basic, intermediate and advanced techniques, plus some extras to help you get into it.
If you’re feeling a little more committed then why not join our Silver Membership which gives you access to the full Beginner’s Course plus your first two levels of curriculum/grading material, support videos to go with it plus plenty of extras.
How many levels are there in this system of Wing Chun Kung Fu?
You start at Level 1 which is White Belt.
Your next few levels are coloured belts up to Level 6: Blue/White, Blue, Blue/Brown, Brown and Brown Black.
Then there are three levels of Black Belt: Level 7-Black/Red, Level 8-Black/Purple and Level 9-Black Gold.
The first of the Master Levels is Level 10 which is Gold Belt.
Then there are seven Red stripes on your journey to Red Belt.
Level 10 and above are all awarded by Sigung Rick Spain who must oversee these gradings.
I’m worried that I might be too old to learn kung fu
Chronic health conditions and frailty aside, you are never to old to start something new.
How do I grade by correspondence?
When you join our online University you have access to all grading material – both written and video. If you have questions about anything, you are encouraged to ask. Simply email us about any technique you require details on.
To grade online, you film yourself performing the techniques and upload to YouTube as an Unlisted video providing us the link. Our senior students and/or Sigung Rick Spain will review, provide feedback and corrections as necessary.
Once you perform your grading to the acceptable standard you will pass and then receive your new belt and grading certificate in the post!
How long does it take to get to Black Belt?
How long it takes really depends on a few different factors: how often you attend classes, how much you practice on your own, your own aptitude to learning martial arts and how goal oriented you are. Typically if you train regularly around 3-4 years.
How long does it take to get to Gold Belt?
How long it takes really depends on a few different factors: how often you attend classes, how much you practice on your own, your own aptitude to learning martial arts and how goal oriented you are. It could take 5-6 years, it could take 6-10! It’s not an easy answer.
How often do you hold gradings?
At the Red Boat Kung Fu Global HQ in Redfern Sydney we grade 8 times per year. As an online student, you don’t need to work in with our grading times, unless of course you wish to travel to one of our schools to be graded in person.
What is your lineage?
Sifu Rick Spain trained with William Cheung in Melbourne in the mid ’70s through to late ’90s and received his Red Belt in Wing Chun Kung Fu. Rick Spain is the last of the first generation of Willaim Cheung’s students to be actively teaching Wing Chun to the masses. William Cheung was one of Ip Mans best students alongside Bruce Lee.
The short answer is, our lineage is solid: Ip Man, William Cheung, Rick Spain.
Why do you wear Karate uniforms?
Even before brining BJJ into Red Boat Wing Chun we were clinching and grappling. The uniform of t-shirt, light pants and sashes were simply not durable enough for the training that we do. A gi is much more practical for training.