Aaron Travers started his American Kenpo Karate journey on his home Island, Jersey - Channel Islands, just before his 7th birthday in 1985 under the instruction of Mr Roy MacDonald at George's Gym, Victoria Street, St.Helier, Jersey - Channel Islands.

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The town based club moved premises to Seaton Youth Club and expanded further to Aquila Road Youth Club seeing the progression of young students within the art.

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With the Kenpo obsession growing, to supplement the learning from Mr MacDonald, Aaron took on additional training classes with Mr Roy Travert, Mr Nigel Romeril and for a brief period Mr Anthony Godfrey.

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Before the days of easy and cheap travel, Aaron participated and won numerous local competitions in sparring and forms amongst the growing clubs and Kenpo family on the island.

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The progress of Aaron and his peers was successful. In fact, their growth and development supported the change of syllabus order, and the first introduction of the european 'cadet' stage of learning for secondary school age students. 

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In 1991, two gradings took place for four students including Dean Hughes, Stephanie Greig in May 1991, and Robert Whittaker and Aaron Travers in November 1991 with each student earning promotion to Cadet Black Belt (equivalent to Senior Brown 1st Class at the time).

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Kenpo Karate was growing rapidly in Jersey, once quoted as "The European home of Kenpo" by Senior Grand Master

Mr Ed Parker.

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European Championships and Seminars became established events in the Island held at Les Quennevais and Fort Regent Leisure Centre for years to come, with Aaron entering and placing in these championships.

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1994 aged 15 years old, Aaron took the decision to leave the Art to pursue other interests (Soccer Coaching).

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Aaron returned for small periods of time between 2000 - 2006 with Mr Graham Lelliott, and later Mr Paul McMurray at Quennevais Kenpo School (QKS) entering competitions, however with travelling the world twice, and his employment being shift based, this meant that Aaron could not commit to regular training and therefore had to step away once again.

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Although stepping away, Aaron struck a great friendship with Mr Neil Roberts. 

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After the sad loss of Mr Paul McMurray in 2015, in 2018 Mr Neil Roberts resurrected 'QKS' as Quantum Kenpo Systems with Mr Matthew Duncan. Aaron now with two children wanted to register his children in a Kenpo School. At this time Mr Roberts presented Aaron with a new Senior Black Karate Gi and 'encouraged' his return to the art.

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After almost 27 years 'break' of consistent training within the art, it took another year until the end of 2019 for Aaron to be able to commit to training once again. After 9 weeks of returning, Aaron's first senior grading took place under the watchful eyes of Mr Neil Roberts, Mr Ian Harris, Mr Mark De Luc, Mr Shawn Walmsley, Mr Dean Hacquoil and Mr Matt Duncan.

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To stall training progress once more, the global pandemic hit our shores in March 2020.

 

In 2022 with social distancing and rules of the pandemic now allowing training, in September, Aaron graded for his 2nd Class Brown Belt under the Panel of Mr Graham Lelliott, Mr Richard Matthews, Mr Ian Harris and Mr Neil Roberts. Shortly after this promotion injury struck, Aaron could not train for 6 months stalling progression.

 

However, once recovered, Aaron returned and able to grade for his 1st Class Brown Belt in January 2024 under the Panel of Mr Richard Matthews, Mr Damian Abbott and Mr Neil Roberts.

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On Friday 22nd November 2024, almost 33 years after receiving his Cadet Black Belt in 1991, Aaron successfully tested and was promoted to 1st Degree Black Belt (Junior Instructor) overseen by an extremely credible and well respected Panel on the night of Mr Richard Matthews - 9th Degree; Mr Ian Harris - 9th Degree; Mr Neil Roberts - 5th Degree; Mr Shawn Walmsley - 5th Degree; Mr David Hall - 3rd Degree. This promotion was also in consultation with: Mr Graham Lelliott - 10th Degree; Mr Damian Abbott - 8th Degree; Ms Vikki Burley - 5th Degree; Mr Matt Duncan - 3rd Degree.

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On Tuesday October 7th, 2025 - Aaron Travers American Kenpo Karate opened in Mordialloc, Melbourne, Australia.​​

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The continuous journey of learning and discovery is ongoing, teaching Aaron persistence and patience - some of the attributes and life skills Aaron hope's too in still in his own students.

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