Dave Courtney Jones
Dave started learning Yongchun White Crane from Master Su Ying Han in China around the year 2000. This began his passion with one of the great treasures of Chinese culture.
Dave won gold medals in the South Shaolin Invitational Competition in Quanzhou in both 2013 and 2016, competing as a member of the Fujian White Crane Organisation.
In 2017 Dave was formally appointed as an Instructor of Yongchun White Crane Kung Fu by Master Su. He then began teaching the style in London in 2018. This website was created in an effort to fulfil his obligation to spread and preserve the style of White Crane Kung Fu.
In 2022 Dave competed in the 13th Beijing International Wushu Tournament (a huge event with nearly 10,000 competitors) and was awarded Gold & Silver Medals for his forms. He also received an Excellent Coach award, as well as Outstanding Organisation and Outstanding Contributor Awards.
Dave also teaches Tiger Crane Combination Kung Fu and the Shuang Yang White Crane Soft Style. Both also derive from the White Crane system of Kung Fu. His club in London is called Tiger Crane Kung Fu.
Contributing Translators
Much of the content that we have published on this site would not have been possible without Ela Cyrnek and Brett Welch. Their combined knowledge covers a huge spectrum of the language, from classical to modern. They have brought what were initially very basic translations to life, helping to add the spirit and poetry that can be so elusive. Thanks very much to both of them!
Our Translations
Translating Chinese characters into another language is not an exact science! Classical Chinese can be very poetic, with layers of meaning, and it can be very difficult (or indeed impossible!) to do this beautiful language its full justice.
As we are translating what are, in some cases, ancient martial texts, we are doing our best to convey the spirit and essence of the language. Where possible we have prioritised this over a literal translation of the characters. Phrases can have multiple interpretations, and this means that there is some artistic licence involved. Of course, other language experts might disagree with our finished versions!
Where possible, we are also trying to maintain some of the beautiful poetry of the original Chinese. However, this takes second place to trying to convey what we believe is the essence of what is written.
Of course, all of our translations are copyright. They are for the information and education of the serious martial artist. Please do not distribute or copy the articles elsewhere.