A Lee Wedlake Karate Studio

 

The  Art of American Kenpo

Mr. Mike is a second generation, Senior Grand Master Ed Parker student, and currently a 4th degree black belt, Senior Instructor.  Honored to have been personally trained by 9th degree black belt, Professor Lee Wedlake, Jr.  Training at Mr. Wedlake’s studio for over 12 years became his lead instructor for the last seven years.  Participating in numerous Kenpo demonstrations throughout the southwest Florida area and assisting in many of the women’s self defense seminars held at the studio.  Mr. Mike has been instrumental in the development of many of Mr. Wedlake’s books, and you will find him featured in books Kenpo 101, Kenpo 301, Kenpo 501 and Kenpo 601.  He has traveled with Mr. Wedlake throughout the United States and Europe for many seminars and competitions.  Mr. Mike holds an honor that a very limited number of marital arts competitors hold.  In 2000, he competed and won the European Internationals taking first place in both, forms and sparring.  Mr. Mike is not only an instructor, but is a perpetual martial arts student himself, currently continuing his education and study with Professor Lee Wedlake.  He has also expanded his martial arts training beyond Kenpo into the Filipino martial arts, and holds a Level One Certification in Inayan Eskrima training with Guru, Kevin Coykendall.    You will find Mr. Mike featured in the recently published book, Kenpo Continuum—Historical Studies of the Kenpo Community in America and Throughout the World.

Mr. Mike was born and raised in Massachusetts before coming to the southwest Florida area.   He has been a resident in Lee County for over 16 years.  He and his wife, Renee reside in Cape Coral.

Michael J. Squatrito

Mr. Tom is a 1st degree black belt, Junior Instructor, under the tutelage of 10th degree black belt, Senior Master, Joe Palanzo.  He currently trains with 4th degree black belt, Senior Instructor Michael Squatrito.  Mr. Tom started in the martial arts at the age of 8.  He trained in a Korean system for a short period.  In 1997 he began training in Kenpo Karate with Senior Master, Joe Palanzo.  He is a Certified Instructor for Mr. Palanzo’s organization, the WKKA.  He is also a Level Three, Apprentice Instructor in the Inayan Sinwali and Dequerdas styles of Eskrima under Mr. Kevin Coykendall.  Mr. Tom has been taught by 9th degree black belt, Professor Lee Wedlake, Jr., 4th degree black belt, Senior Instructors Kyle Zwarg and Peter Miragliotta.  An extremely talented graphic artist responsible for all of the artwork for Gulf Coast Kenpo Karate, Inc.

Mr. Tom has been a resident of Lee County for 24 years.  He currently resides in North Fort Myers with his wife, Sarah and their sons, Logan, Hayden and Brenden.

Tom Hale

Renée Squatrito

Miss Renée is also a second generation Senior Grand Master,  Ed Parker student and is currently a 1st degree black, junior instructor.  She began martial arts training in 2001 with  9th degree, Professor Lee Wedlake in his Fort Myers studio and is honored to be one of his women black belts.  You will find her featured in Mr. Wedlake’s book Kenpo 601.  

 

Originally began kenpo with her children through the homeschooling community.  Successfully homeschooled both her daughter and son to the high school and middle school levels respectively.  Experiencing and realizing first hand the positive affects martial arts brings to children.  Building and forming positive development and good habits offers a lifetime of benefits.   Miss Renée instructs our youngest martial artists in our Little Dragons program.

 

Originally from Dover, Delaware, considers herself as close to a “Florida cracker” as one can be without being born here.  She has lived in Florida since childhood and resides in Cape Coral with her husband Mr. Mike and children Mallory and Brandon.

  Meet our Instructors