Endorsed by
When & Where
Friday & Saturday, March 6 and 7, from 9AM to 3PM.
Lake Mary Community Center
140 E. Wilbur Ave.
Lake Mary, FL 32746
What is the WinterFest
George Mattson WinterFest is a two-day martial arts gathering focused on growth, learning, and connection within the Uechi Ryu community.
Two Days of Training
An intensive weekend with multiple seminars led by experienced Uechi Ryu instructors.
Learn from Multiple Masters
Train with different teachers, perspectives, and approaches to deepen your understanding of Uechi Ryu.
Tradition & Evolution
Explore both the traditional roots and modern interpretations of Uechi Ryu karate.
Community & Camaraderie
A unique opportunity to share practice, knowledge, and friendship with practitioners from around the world.
Events Schedule
Special Early Bird Training In The Park!
with George Mattson
Thursday, March 5th, 3:00pm
Heathrow Park, 923 Business Center Dr, Lake Mary
Dinner afterwards at TooJay’s Deli
3577 LakeEmma Rd #101, Lake Mary
Friday’s Happening’s
9 am | |
| Main Room All | George Mattson, Buzz Durkin & Roy Bedard Uechi Ryu Principles in Modern Application: Bridging Traditional Kata to Real-World Self-Defense and Performance- Part 1 |
10 am | |
| ROOM A & B: Gustavo Gondra | Interstyle Workout & Warm up |
| ROOM C: Justin Testa | Mattson Academy Invitational Workout |
11 am | |
| ROOM A: Jim Maloney | Pressure Points & Locks |
| ROOM B: Lee Adams | Renzoku waza |
| ROOM C: John Guarnieri | Polite Force |
Noon | |
| PATIO | Herman Training Systems “Power, Speed & Accuracy” |
| Main Room | Lunch |
1 pm | |
| ROOM A: Gerry Hendewich | Wing Chun Concepts within Uechi |
| ROOM B: John Spencer | Unraveling Seisan Bunkai |
| ROOM C: Brian Nell | For the Love of Circles |
2 pm | |
| ROOM A: Darin Yee | Fighting Tactics out of Uechi Katas |
| ROOM B: Justin Testa | Uechi Ryu Karate In-Close |
| ROOM C: Rik Lostrito | A Novel Way to Enhance Flow & Feel in Uechi Ryu Techniques |
5:30 pm Dinner
Duffy’s Colonial Town Park,
951 Market Promenade Ave
Lake Mary
Saturday’s Happening’s
9 am | |
| Main Room All | George Mattson, Buzz Durkin & Roy Bedard Uechi Ryu Principles in Modern Application: Bridging Traditional Kata to Real-World Self-Defense and Performance- Part 2 |
10 am | |
| ROOM A: Lee Adams | Renzoku Waza |
| ROOM B: Dave Kelly | Insights into Uechi Ryu |
| ROOM C: Ryan Dean | Improving Power Through Better Structure |
11 am | |
| ROOM A: Sid Werthan | Hapki/Aiki Water principle; teaching the art of harmonizing along with the flow of your attacker |
| ROOM B: Robb Buckland | This class trains you to use fear instead of fighting it |
| ROOM C: Gustavo Gondra | Uechi Training |
Noon | |
| PATIO | Herman Training Systems “Power, Speed & Accuracy” |
| Main Room | Lunch |
1 pm | |
| ROOM A: Justin Testa | Mattson Academy Invitational Training |
| ROOM B: Tom Piacentini | One Size Does Not Fit All |
| ROOM C: Jim Maloney | Uechi Insights, Pressure Points & Locks |
2 pm | |
| Main Room | Awards, Presentations & Discussions |
| Women of Uechi – Patricia Dando | |
| International Uechi Ryu Karate Federation- Justin Testa | |
| “Bull Sessions” | |
| Discussions and Words of Wisdom From Attending Grandmasters | |
Dinner on you Own
Many Thanks to Hanshi David Berndt and the South China Martial Arts Alliance for their sponsorship of Grandmaster Gustavo Gondra in this years WinterFest.
Doors Locked at 4pm
Building Must be clean and cleared.
Presenters 2026
George E. Mattson
10° Dan - Founder of IUKF
George Mattson is recognized as the Father of Uechi-ryu karate in America. He trained in Okinawa under Tomoyose Ryuko and Kanei Uechi, earning his first-degree black belt before completing his U.S. Army service.
Buzz Durkin
10° Uechi Ryu - Founder of Butotukai
Buzz Durkin began his study of Uechiryu in 1966 and opened his now internationally renowned school in 1974. Mr. Durkin was one of the first Americans to travel to Okinawa for the express purpose of Uechi training (1971).
Jim Maloney
10° Dan Uechi Ryu
Sensei Jim Maloney began his Uechi training in 1963 and was elevated to the rank of 10th Dan in August of 2016. Sensei Maloney is the father of Uechiryu in Canada having opened his first dojo in Nova Scotia in 1973.
Darin Yee
10° Dan Uechi Ryu
Darin has studied White Crane and other Kung Fu systems since 1958 in Boston’s Chinatown. In 1969, he began my Uechi-Ryu journey but always kept his Kung-Fu base. He has taught extensive seminars throughout Mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, Okinawa and the United States.
Gustavo Gondra
10° Dan IKMA Japan - 9° Dan Kobudo
Gustavo Gondra is a highly respected Uechi Ryu karate master from Argentina. He has devoted his life to traditional Okinawan martial arts, teaching and promoting Uechi Ryu across South America and around the world.
Justin Testa
9° Dan Uechi Ryu
Justin Testa is a highly respected martial artist with 59 years of experience in Uechi-Ryu karate. He is the senior instructor at Mattson Academy of Karate (www.AtHomeKarate.com), and author of the recently published book, “Insights Into Uechi-Ryu Karate (www.uechi-insights.com).
Ryan Dean
8° Dan Uechi Ryu
Ryan has nearly 40 years of martial arts experience, with a foundation in Uechi-Ryu Karate and extensive study of body mechanics, physics, and movement. An 8th Dan in Uechi-Ryu, 2nd Dan in Judo, and National-level USA Judo Coach, he has taught full time since 2003.
Rik Lostrito
7° Dan Uechi Ryu - Kyoshi Shihan Master Instructor
Rik’s teacher is Hanshi John Spencer. He also is a 3rd Dan in Ryukokaku Kobudo under Shinyu Gushi. He has operated a dojo continuously since 1995. A former Professor of Pharmacy Rik also practices and teaches Reiki related approaches to health and is Bikram Yoga Practitioner.
“A Novel Way to Enhace Flow and Feel in Uechi Ryu Techniques” click here to read more.
Lee Adams
8° Dan Uechi Ryu
Lee Adams leads Shogun Martial Arts in Kent, represents the International Uechi-Ryu Karate Federation (IUKF) in the UK, and regularly teaches seminars, contributing to the growth and practice of traditional Uechi-Ryu in Britain and abroad. He is also an Aikido Instructor.
John Spencer
9° Dan Uechi Ryu
Sensei John Spencer started studying Uechu-Ryu in 1963 at Sensei George Mattson’s Boston dojo. Owing to the long commute, after about six months he joined Walter Mattson’s dojo in Framingham who was his sensei until Spencer Sensei opened the Hartford, CT dojo.
Tom Piacentini
8° Dan Uechi Ryu
Tom Piacentini is aUechi-Ryu karate instructor from Massachusetts, USA, with over five decades of training experience. He began studying Uechi Ryu in the early 1970s, has trained under senior masters including Shinjo Sensei, and has taught Uechi Ryu at his own dojo for many years.
David Kelley
9° Dan Uechi Ryu
Hanshi David Kelley is a 9th Degree Black Belt and a senior student of Grandmaster Buzz Durkin. He began his Uechi-ryu karatetraining in 1974 and, as a former law enforcement officer, has years of practical experience applying Uechi technique in real world. Mr. Kelley is known for his dynamic movement and application of the soft and hard aspects of Uechi-ryu Karate.His in-depth study and understanding of Uechi-ryu will make any participant in his seminar a better practitioner.
Dr. Roy Bedard
7° Dan Uechi Ryu
Roy Bedard, Ph.D. is a 7th-degree black belt in Uechi-Ryu Karate with over 45 years of experience in defensive tactics and martial arts.
Patricia Dando
6° Dan Uechi Ryu
Patricia Dando has dedicated her life to karate rooted in self-protection after surviving a brutal assault. Her path led her through several styles to Uechi-ryu, where she continues training under Grandmaster George E. Mattson. Founder of Women of Uechi
John Guarnieri
4° Dan Uechi Ryu
I’m a Uechi-Ryu Yondan training at The Mattson Academy. I opened 603 Karate in 2017 after 9 years in New Hampshire Law Enforcement.
Dr. Brian Nell
6° Dan Uechi Ryu
After exploring Jujutsu and Karate, he chose to focus on Pangai-Noon Karate beginning in 1999, earning his ShoDan (1st degree blackbelt) and the title of Sensei on October 2, 2003. Currently Dr. Brian holds a RokuDan (6th Degree Blackbelt) and title of ShiHan in Pangai-Noon Karate and Kobudo
Robb Buckland
Sid Werthan
Professor Sid Werthan is a Martial Artist, Artist, and Philosopher. A constant student as well as teacher of Martial Doctrine for over 30 years.
Gerry Hendewich
7° Dan Uechi Ryu
My name is Gerry Hendewich and my current rank is 7th dan in Uechi-ryu Kenyukai. I started in 1983 under Master John Spencer in Hartford, CT. and have remained his student for all these years.
New Book!
The Enduring Strength of Uechi-ryu Karate
Version 1.0.0
The Enduring Strength of Uechi-ryu Karate by George Mattson is a groundbreaking exploration of the art of relaxed strength, combining over 60 years of teaching experience with the timeless principles of Uechi-ryu Karate. Written by one of the most respected pioneers in martial arts, this book delves into the unique balance of power, fluidity, and mindfulness that defines Uechi-ryu. Through practical insights, historical perspectives, and innovative approaches to training—including virtual methods—Mattson offers a guide to achieving effortless strength and enduring mastery. Perfect for martial artists of all levels, this book serves as both a practical manual and a philosophical reflection on the enduring power of Uechi-ryu Karate.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or need more information, feel free to contact us using the form below.
If you wish to register, please use the buttons to sign up for Friday, Saturday, or for both days of the event.
If you wish to register, please use the buttons to sign up for Friday, Saturday, or for both days of the event.