We are a Black Belt School
EST. MILL VALLEY IN 1983
Celebrating 41 years as a family owned and operated business and oldest martial arts studio in Marin
Founded in 1983 by Master Roger Carlon, West America Tae Kwon Do is a family-run dojo specializing in traditional martial arts training.
West America Tae Kwon Do opened in 1983 and is located in Mill Valley, CA. Since then, Master Roger Carlon has been training students in both classic traditional forms and new ventures into the competitive fighting aspects of Tae Kwon Do.
Master Carlon has a long history in several martial arts and has found a way to blend all the best and discard the worst in what he teaches here at West America. He has practiced and blended both ITF and WTF systems of TKD, as well as Okinawan Shorin-Ryu and Goju-Ryu Karate into our system.
West America TKD continues to produce premier black belt students and honorable citizens in our local community. Our goal is to guide and build well-rounded students and individuals in a fun and positive environment.
Compared to other martial arts, Tae Kwon Do emphasizes very strongly on stretching and kicking. Widely regarded as one of the best martial arts for it’s kicks, we try to push our students to learn all about the striking and distances that comes with traditional Tae Kwon Do practices. With quality instructors, who have competed and won championships both nationally and internationally many times, you will receive elite instruction.
West America strives to instill traditional martial arts tenants: Respect, Discipline, Integrity, Perseverance, and Honor through our teachings.
Our goal is to help each student reach their full potential in their training. Our dojo community is welcoming and everyone is family here.
West America TKD voted Best Martial Arts school in Marin 2024!
Phone
(415) 383-4755
LOCATION:
70 Lomita Drive
Mill Valley, CA 94941
Our dojo is located next to Edna Maguire school. We are on the right side of the parking lot, past the green gates.
Email:
team@westamericatkd.com
Youtube:
West America TKD
Schedule
Current Schedule Monday through Friday:
Little Ninjas New sessions coming soon!
White Belts 3:30 - 4:00 PM
Yellow/Orange Belts 4:00 - 4:45 PM
Intermediate Belts 4:45 - 5:30 PM
Advanced Belts 5:30 - 6:15 PM
Teen/Adults 6:15 - 7:00 PM
Weekly scheduled classes are different curriculum based on a day to day basis and different instructor.
Sparring Days are currently Tuesday and Thursday.
For more information please inquire via email. Already signed up? Check your email for the scheduled classes!
*LITTLE NINJAS PROGRAM
Little Ninjas Class will start again in a few weeks!
Our Little Ninjas class structured for 3.5 to 4.5 year olds.
We just wrapped up our Thursday Little Ninjas sessions March 2024. We will be opening up registration for ongoing sessions mid-March.
Little Ninjas classes will be taught by Teacher Chantal. Half hour lessons. Students will be learning beginner TKD skills, practicing manners, listening skills and respect. This is a parent/guardian participation class, so please come ready to work out, too!
Please feel free to forward to friends and anyone you think would love this fun class!
Please email us to get on the notification list for upcoming Little Ninjas sessions.
Little Ninjas Drop in's are $25/Class.
Tae Kwon Do Camp
We offer Spring, Summer, and Winter Tae Kwon Do camps. Depending on demand, we also occasionally host Mid-Winter Break and several other holiday break camps throughout the year. Our camps can fill fast, so please register early!
Summer Camp 2024, starting June 17th through August 16th 2024, 9:00am to 2:00pm. Aftercare is available upon request at an hourly rate.
CAMP WEEKS:
#1 June 17-21
#2 June 24-28
#3 July 8-12
#4 July 15-19
#5 July 22-26
#6 July 29-August 2
#7 August 5-9
#8 August 12-16
Activities include:*
Morning Tae Kwon Do Training Sessons
Daily Field Trips
Bowling
Parks
Beaches
Arcade and Laser Tag
Movies and Theatre
Get Started
Introductory lessons for beginner students
Free introductory lessons are taught by one of our Black Belt instructors. During the lesson, you or your child will learn some of the basic techniques in our curriculum as well as our dojo etiquette. We would be happy to help answer any questions you have regarding getting started as a student at West America Tae Kwon Do. We look forward to welcoming you to the WATKD Family!
We offer introductory lessons for children Mondays through Fridays at 3:15 - 3:45 PM.
Teen and Adult introductory lessons are available Monday through Fridays at 6:00 - 6:45 PM.
For more information and to schedule your free introductory class, please email us below, or call us at (415) 383-4755.
After Care Program
Currently taking applications for K - 8th Graders. Please inquire with our After Care email: WESTAMERICAAFTERCARE@GMAIL.COM
Website: WestAmericaAfterCare.com
Registration for our after care program is open. We are continually accepting new students. We offer a comprehensive after school program where students can receive professional tutoring, creative enrichment, and supervised play.
Sensei Roger Carlon is the Founder of West America Tae Kwon Do and After Care.
Lara Zegart is the director of the program. She brings to the program her extensive background of working with kids and as well as her creativity and positive energy. Lara’s goal is to provide after care students with the resources and learning tools they need to achieve their highest potential. She believes this can be reached through perseverance, dedication and respect.
WHY SHOULD I SIGN UP FOR WEST AMERICA AFTER CARE PROGRAM?
Pick ups from the following schools: Edna Maguire, Tam Valley, and Strawberry. Pending demand, we do pick ups at Park and Old Mill as well
The enrichment program is open until 6 PM, Monday through Friday
Tutors that will directly support and extend the school curriculum
Homework will be completed daily (no more late nights at home!)
Supervised play in a safe environment
A healthy snack selection
WATKD Students will be brought to their TKD lessons in the afternoon
An affordable after-care tutoring and enrichment program
Students who are not yet members of WATKD are welcome to be part of our After Care Program. (TKD classes are not included in the After Care fee. Please inquire about membership)
Prices do not include Tae Kwon Do Membership
More information available at: WestAmericaAfterCare.com
2024 Calendar
January 2024
All Color Belt Testing will be on Friday January 19th at their respective class time.
All Color Belt Make up Tests and Advanced Belt Tests will be on the following Friday, January 26th at their respective class time.
Dojo will be closed on Monday January 15th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Class will resume it’s regular schedule the following day, Tuesday January 16th.
February 2024
All Color Belt Testing will be on Friday February 9th at their respective class time.
All Color Belt Make up Tests and Advanced Belt Tests will be on the following Friday, February 16th at their respective class time.
Dojo will be closed on Monday February 19th in observance of President’s Day. Class will resume it’s regular schedule the following day, Tuesday February 20st.
Dojo will be open during Winter Recess break (Tuesday February 21st - Friday February 23rd)
*TKD CAMP TBD*
March 2024
All Color Belt Testing will be on Friday March 15th at their respective class time.
All Color Belt Make up Tests and Advanced Belt Tests will be on the following Friday, March 22nd at their respective class time.
April 2024
All Color Belt Testing will be on Friday April 18th following Spring break, at their respective class time.
All Color Belt Make up Tests and Advanced Belt Tests will be on the Friday Friday April 26th at their respective class time.
Dojo will be open during Spring break April 8th - April 12th
*TKD CAMP TBD*
May 2024
All Color Belt Testing will be on Friday May 10th at their respective class time.
All Color Belt Make up Tests and Advanced Belt Tests will be on the following Friday, May 17th at their respective class time.
Dojo will be closed on Monday May 27th in observance of Memorial Day. The dojo will also be participating in the Annual Memorial Day Parade, the dojo will be practicing throughout the classes in May for the parade. Please show your support for the dojo by coming by and marching with us and show off your martial arts skills!
June 2024
All Color Belt Testing will be on Friday June 7th at their respective class time.
All Color Belt Make up Tests and Advanced Belt Tests will be on the following Friday after schools release, June 12th at their respective class time.
Dojo will be hosting our Summer Camps starting Monday June 17th. Daily training, different daily field trips, and plenty of fun! For more information see our Summer Camp section of our website.
July 2024
All Color Belt Testing will be on Friday July 12th at their respective class time.
All Color Belt Make up Tests and Advanced Belt Tests will be on the following Friday, July 19th at their respective class time.
Dojo will be closed on Tuesday July 4th in observance of Independence Day.
Dojo will also not be having Summer Camp on the week of July 4th (July 1st-July 5th).
August 2024
All Color Belt Testing will be on Friday August 8th at their respective class time.
All Color Belt Make up Tests and Advanced Belt Tests will be on the following Friday, August 15th at their respective class time.
September 2024
All Color Belt Testing will be on Friday September 6th at their respective class time.
All Color Belt Make up Tests and Advanced Belt Tests will be on the following Friday, September 13th at their respective class time.
Dojo will be closed on Monday September 2nd in observance of Labor Day.
Dojo will be closed on Wednesday September 25th in Honor of Sensei.
October 2024
All Color Belt Testing will be on Friday October 18th at their respective class time.
All Color Belt Make up Tests and Advanced Belt Tests will be on the following Friday, October 25th at their respective class time.
Dojo will be closed on Thursday October 31st in for Halloween.
November 2024
All Color Belt Testing will be on Thursday November 7th at their respective class time.
All Advanced Belt Tests will be on Friday, November 15th at their respective class time.
Dojo will be closed on Friday November 11th in observance of Veteran’s Day
Dojo will be closed on Thursday November 28th and Friday November 29th in observance of Thanksgiving Day. We will have normal class schedule throughout the weekdays of Monday November 25th, Tuesday November 26th, and Wednesday November 27th.
*Holiday Break Camp TBD*
December 2024
All Color Belt Testing will be on Friday December 6th at their respective class time.
All Color Belt Make up Tests and Advanced Belt Tests will be on the following Friday December 13th at their respective class time.
WATKD will be hosting our annual Holiday Potluck Party on Thursday December 12th! Doors will be opening at 5:00PM with performances from your fellow students as well as your instructors around 6:00PM, followed by Student Awards and a Raffle! Bring your friends, bring some food, and enjoy yourselves!
Dojo will be closed on Monday December 23rd through December 31st 2024. The dojo will resume its normal class schedule Thursday January 2nd.
SENSEI ROGER CARLON
Owner and Master
7th Dan WTF Kukkiwon Black Belt
4th Dan Okinawan Karate Black Belt
2nd Dan Hapkido Black Belt
1st Dan Okinawan Kobudo Black Belt
1987 World Wako Open Forms Champion
1985 Midwest Point Sparring Champion
Kukkiwon Certified Instructor
Master Carlon is the owner and operator of West America Tae Kwon Do. He has been running the dojo in Mill Valley since 1983.
He was crowned World Champion in 1987, and was also honored twice by the Pacific Sun as “Teacher of the Year.”
Master Carlon has over 45 years of extensive experience in working with students of all ages. His teaching style is unbeatable - he has keen eyes in bringing out the best potential from his students, and expects no less than 100% of them.
He is the proud father of Chantal and Roger Jr., both multiple-time national champions, and martial artists in their own right.
CHANTAL CARLON
Head Instructor
4th Dan WTF Kukkiwon Black Belt
12-time AAU National Champion
1-time International Hanmadang Champion (1999)
Kukkiwon Certified Instructor
Chantal Carlon began her training at the age of three under her father's guidance. Tae Kwon Do is her passion in life and she continues to train.
She says, "Tae Kwon Do has allowed me to experience so many special experiences like traveling to South Korea and training at the Tae Kwon Do headquarters. I've met so many wonderful people through the dojo and it's really like having an extended family. Tae Kwon Do has truly shaped me to the person I am today."
Chantal is a UC Berkeley f]graduate and is a head instructor at West America Tae Kwon Do.
Chantal takes great pride and joy in teaching her students. Through her nurturing yet strict coaching style, she encourages each student to strive for their personal best.
Outside of running the family business, Chantal loves going on local adventures with her two daughters, husband and two dogs.
ROGER CARLON JR.
Head instructor
4th Dan WTF Kukkiwon Black Belt
9-time AAU National Champion
1-time International Hanmadang Champion (1999)
Kukkiwon Certified Instructor
Roger began his martial arts training at the age of four.
He had lots of excess energy like most children, and learned at a young age how to channel his enthusiasm into practical training methods. He was initially inspired by Bruce Lee, Ninja Turtles cartoons and Street Fighter video games. And though he still loves those things, he continues to take inspiration from these different formats and try to see the bigger picture, extracting what lessons he can from all sources.
He loves all forms of martial arts, and practices all over the Bay Area. His passion for learning and humor make a dynamic teaching style. He enjoys watching UFC, ONE, Rizin, Glory, and Bellator. He takes a big interest in MMA, Kick Boxing, Judo, Boxing, and Jiu-Jitsu, as well as all forms of fighting and learning on how to apply all their strengths and techniques to his own style.
He is a head-instructor at West America Tae Kwon Do and takes exceptional interest in fighting. He says, “Martial arts has been an intricate part of my life. It's allowed me to meet extraordinary people I wouldn't normally have the chance to get to know and take me around the world. To me it's more than an art, or just a way to defend myself, it's a way of life. It’s an honor to be able to pass my knowledge and experience to the students of West America Tae Kwon Do!”
Patrick Siu
head instructor
4th Dan WTF Kukkiwon Black Belt
6-time AAU National Champion
Kukkiwon Certified Instructor
Patrick started his Tae Kwon Do journey in the most unexpected way. His two sons were young at the time, and they relied on him to take them to their Tae Kwon Do classes. Patrick ended up sitting in the dojo 2 hours everyday. He had lower back pain and exercise was one of the doctor’s prescribed remedy to alleviate the problem. Tae Kwon Do seemed to be the perfect solution. He walked into his first lesson as a white belt, and was immediately hooked by the holistic experience. He had not stopped learning ever since.
Patrick believes learning and teaching is always in tandem, always reciprocal. He believes learning will not be complete until one can impart what he or she has learned to the future generations. It is an assumed mandate as a martial artist to help another fellow martial artist in his or her path to finding the do, the way. That is his mandate, his passion.
Outside of Tae Kwon Do, Patrick enjoys movies and cooking. He has a wicked serve in table tennis that welcomes anyone for a friendly match.
Philosophy Questions
Where does Tae Kwon Do Originate From?
Korea. Oldest known form of Tae Kwon Do dates back to around 57BC, during the 3 Rival Kingdoms of Goguryeo, Silla, and Baekje. It was influenced by other martial arts styles such as taekyon, subak, chuan fa, and karate (Korean, Chinese, and Japanese martial arts). Modern day Tae Kwon Do was founded in 1944 in Seoul.
What does Tae Kwon Do Mean?
The literal translation means Hand Foot Way, in American English we know it as “The way of the hands and feet.”
Where does Karate Originate From?
Okinawa, Japan.
What Does Karate Mean?
Empty Hands.
What Three Focuses do we emphasize?
Focus of the Mind, the Eyes, and the Body.
What Does each Focus entail?
Focusing the mind: Listening to whoever is speaking, giving your 100%.
Focusing the eyes: Looking at whoever is speaking, keeping your eyes on target.
Focusing the body: Controlling yourself and your body.
What is the most important aspect of the martial arts we teach?
Respect.