Encino Judo Club in Oxnard and Camarillo (Ventura County)

About the Encino Judo Club

The Encino Judo Club was founded over 35 years ago as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the sport of Judo and the art of 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 ancient martial arts techniques with modern teaching methods to ensure a fun and safe learning environment.

We have an extensive program for the visually impaired in cooperation with the Braille Institute of America. Our members include national and world champions, world-class coaches, and certified 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.

See photos of our classes, learn more about what Judo is, or for other information about Judo see the main menu of the Judo Information Site. To order Judo t-shirts and gifts please see Encino Judo Club products.

Our Senior Instructors

Instructor Neil Ohlenkamp being thrown skillfully by Rhett Smith, 10

• Neil Ohlenkamp, 6th degree black belt–Head Instructor of the Encino Judo Club, teaching at Oxnard Buddhist Temple
• Jurgen Wahl, 5th degree black belt–President and Founder of the Encino Judo Club, former German national champion
• Alain Wilkinson, 3rd degree black belt–Instructor at Camarillo Community Center
• Lynn Manning and Mike Novak, 2nd degree black belts–Instructors at the Braille Institute of America
• Bill Gaffney and Clyde Tichenor, 4th degree black belts, Ben Holmes and Eileen Hagen, 3rd degree black belts, Ludovic Hilde, 2nd degree black belt, Jerrod Wilson, 1st degree black belt, and Mark Herrschaft, 1st degree brown belt
• Many of the other black belt members of the Encino Judo Club assist in coaching and special events

Class Schedule

These classes are subject to change. Please check our online calendar, call the phone numbers shown below, or send email to one of the instructors for more information.

Personalized instruction from instructor Eileen Hagen

Camarillo Community Center at 1605 E. Burnley in Camarillo, California. Phone: (805) 482-1996 — Thursdays from 7:15 to 9:45pm

Oxnard Buddhist Temple serving Oxnard, Ventura, Ojai, and Port Hueneme at 250 South H Street (the corner of H and 2nd) in Oxnard, California. Phone: (805) 382-1199 — Tuesdays and Fridays from 7 to 8:30pm ($30/month)

Camarillo Family YMCA 3111 Village at the Park Drive, Camarillo, California. Phone: (805) 484-0423. Mondays and Thursdays from 6 to 7pm

Braille Institute of America Braille Sight Center on Melrose and Vermont, Los Angeles, California. Phone: (323) 663-1111. Fridays 10am to noon. Call for information.

Other Events of the Encino Judo Club

Please check our online calendar for upcoming events. You can subscribe for updates. In March 2008 the Encino Judo Club Oxnard Dojo hosted a clinic with Jin Iizumi and Gary Goltz. In December 2007 the Encino Judo club hosted a newaza clinic with Harold Sharp and Toshikazo Okada. In October 2006 the Encino Judo Club hosted a clinic with former World Champion AnnMaria DeMars where she showed some judo games and techniques like her favorite armlock. This was followed by a club tournament. Here are some photos and video of a USJA Grassroots Clinic conducted by Neil Ohlenkamp in August 2006. Also see these photos of Neil Ohlenkamp’s 2003 trip to the Kodokan in Tokyo, Japan to attend the World Master’s Championships.

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

The Encino Judo Club senior heavyweight team placed 2nd in the 2005 Nanka Yudanshakai Southern California Team Championships. At the 2005 Fukuda International Kata Tournament, Alain Wilkinson, Encino Judo Club instructor in Camarillo, placed 2nd in kime no kata and 3rd in goshin jutsu.

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 June 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 almost 20 years ago including (from left to right) Harold Sharp (8 dan), “Judo” Gene Lebell (8 dan), Phil Porter (9 dan), Toney Raven (7 dan), Bill Nauta (6 dan), and Neil Ohlenkamp (6 dan).