Our Origins: A Dream Realized in Vero Beach
In May 1994, Sensei Dave Roth founded Florida Karate Academy (FKA) in his hometown of Vero Beach, Florida, fulfilling a lifelong ambition to share authentic martial arts with the community. After years of dedicated training and teaching across Florida, Sensei Roth returned to Indian River County to establish a dojo that would stand out for its integrated curriculum, family emphasis, and commitment to excellence.
Located at our dojo – 1140 19th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960 – FKA began as a vision to provide high-quality instruction to the whole family without distractions. Our focus remains purely on martial arts mastery, character building, and real-world self-defense.
Over three decades, we've trained more than 5000 students, earning a reputation as Vero Beach's premier family martial arts school. With 6 dedicated instructors and a welcoming environment, FKA has become a second home for families across Indian River County and beyond.
Meet Sensei Dave Roth – Founder & Head Instructor
Sensei Dave Roth (Kyoshi) brings over 40 years of experience studying and teaching martial arts. A 1986 graduate of the University of Florida with a BSBA in Business Administration, he began his journey in 1981 training Wado-Ryu Karate under Mike Sawyer, earning his first black belt in 1984 and starting to teach that same year.
Sensei Roth has achieved elite ranks across multiple disciplines:
7th-degree black belt in Shorin-ryu Karate
-
4th-degree black belt in Okinawan Kobudo
-
3rd-degree black belt in Wado-ryu Karate
-
3rd-degree black belt in Hand-to-Hand Combat
-
3rd-degree black belt in Toyama-ryu Battodo
-
2nd-degree black belt in Niseido Jujitsu
-
Guro in Garimot Arnis Training
-
1st-degree black belt in Judo
He has trained extensively under renowned masters, including Kyoshi Troy J. Price (Shurite Bujutsu Kai), Professor Rick Riccardi (Niseido Jujitsu), Hanshi Zenpo Shimabukuro (Seibukan Shorin-Ryu), Guro Abundio S. Baet (Garimot Arnis Training) and others. In 2023, he was awarded his 7th-degree black belt in Shorin-Ryu Karate by the Shurite Bujutsu Kai recognizing his teaching, community involvement, and AAU Karate contributions.
This vast expertise allowed Sensei Roth to create FKA's unique integrated system – blending traditional Okinawan karate, Japanese jujitsu, Okinawan weapons (kobudo), and Filipino Arnis – into a balanced, family-friendly curriculum.
Our Philosophy: Family, Discipline, and Lifelong Growth
From day one, FKA has prioritized families as our ideal students. Parents train alongside kids of any age (including Pre-K starters as young as 3-5), sometimes grandparents join in, and everyone benefits from personal growth in mind, body, and spirit. This co-training approach builds stronger bonds, mutual respect, and practical skills – appealing especially to beginners, youth, women, and adults of all ages.
We've maintained top status as a competitive powerhouse: the most National and World champions in the area, a top-20 club for over 20 years, and AAU karate teams competing nationally and worldwide (including overseas tournaments). Many families participate together, turning training into shared triumphs and personal growth.
Through consistent community involvement, travel to Okinawa, Europe, and Japan for advanced training, and unwavering focus, FKA has evolved into one of Florida's finest martial arts academies – all while staying true to traditional values.
Key Milestones in Our Journey
-
1981-1984: Sensei Roth begins training and earns first black belt.
-
1994: Florida Karate Academy founded in Vero Beach.
-
Ongoing: Over 5000 students trained; consistent AAU success and champion production.
-
2023: Sensei Roth awarded 7th-degree black belt in Shorin-Ryu Karate.
-
Present: 7th-degree Shorin-Ryu leader; family programs thriving; international competition highlights (e.g., WUKF Worlds).
