2/2011- Upcoming seminars and certifications...

We have been very busy in the recent months setting up certifications in our program Kun Tao Combatives and classes in CT and NY for our Escape Alive Self-Defense Program. we have also partnered with Jane Doe No More to reach more women than ever for the Escape Alive program. For information on both of these and a list of upcoming classes and certification please go to the following:

Kun Tao Combatives- www.kuntaocombatives.com

Escape Alive- www.escapealive.net

11/2010- East Coast Training Systems Director Daniele Serrano, Tracy DiGiovancarlo, and Sean Anderson featured on CT Fox News...

East Coast Training Systems will be holding it's Escape Alive Survival Skills program this Saturday, 11-2pm, in Watertown, CT. ECTS's Daniele Serrano, Tracy DiGiovancarlo, and Sean Anderson, and Jane Doe No More founder Donna Palombo were on CT Fox News on 11/12/2010 talking about the course and demonstrating some of the techniques that will be taught. For course info go to http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=162525313761521 . Click Here to check out the video of their appearance.

9/2010- Upcoming Escape Alive for Women- Watertown, CT; Portion of the proceeds to benefit Jane Do No More

ECTS and Kun Tao Combatives Founder Drew Serrano will be instructing a Level 1 Kun Tao Combatives Certification on October 21, 2010, in Minneola, FL. Here is the info:

Date and time: 10/21/2010, 6-9pm

Location: Dancing Dragon Martial Arts, 540 South Highway 27, Suite B, Minneola, FL 34715

Cost: $139 (regular $249)

9/2010- Upcoming Escape Alive for Women- Watertown, CT; Portion of the proceeds to benefit Jane Do No More

ECTS will hold an Escape Alive Personal Safety course for women at Charland's Institute of Karate and Fitness in Watertown on November 13, 11am-1pm. Cost is $40 and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Jane Do No More. For more info contact Daniele at dsilva@ects.biz. Open to women 16 years and older.

5/2009- Amistad Elementary Martial Arts programs perform demonstration

East Coast Training Systems runs an afterschool Martial Arts program in New Haven, CT at Amistad Academy Elementary School. The program is 4 days a week; 2 of the days focus on the Brazilian Martial Art of Capoeira, the other 2 days focus on getting participants ready for a Martial Arts Tournament. Every year the school has a day when students are able to display talent outside of their daily academics. They even get to interact closely with their teachers in singing and pie throwing! It is really something to see. Parents are invited and encouraged to attend to show support to their children. It builds a deep sense of unity in the school.

The ECTS afterschool Martial Arts' children performed a Capoeira demo and a Karate demo for their teachers, fellow students, and their parents. It was great to see the smiles on their faces when the school cheered for them and their parents congratulated them on a job well done. We look forward to working with Amistad Academy in the 2009-2010 school year.

5/2009- Sacred Heart Women's Softball team capture NEC Championship for the first time in the program's history...

We would like to congratulate the Sacred Heart Women's Softball team on winning the NEC Championship. The Sacred Heart softball team finished a perfect tournament weekend Saturday afternoon, May 9, with a 4-0 shutout of LIU to capture the NEC championship for the first time in program history. Jen Russell (Seymour, CT) was named the tournament MVP after another stellar performance throwing a four hit shutout against the #1 seed Blackbirds. The Pioneers will now head to the NCAA tournament with Regional play beginning Friday.

We are proud to have worked with the team through our Strike-Fit Cross-Training program last Fall and hope that the program helped them in their recent success! Check out some comments from the team on our testimonials page.

4/2009- "Safety For ME!" presentation at Goshen Center School- Goshen, CT

East Coast Training Systems works with school systems around Connecticut providing Martial Arts and Fitness programs, Self-Defense Programs, and the "Safety For ME!™" program. Safety For ME!™ is an interactive safety presentation for elementary and middle school aged children. The focus is to help children recognize possible dangerous situations, how to trust their feelings, and what to do if they are made to feel uncomfortable. The program is presented in a manner which does not scare children, but does instill the basics of recognition and avoidance.

This month ECTS worked with the Child Abuse Investigation Team of Northwestern, CT to bring the program to Goshen Center School. Two groups of approx. 100 children were part of each presentation. The children ranged in age from 5-12 years in age. If you would like information on hosting a "Safety For ME!" at your school please contact Daniele Serrano at dsilva@ects.biz.

4/2009- Watch Gary Reho set a new USBA/WBA World Record- 126 boards in 10 seconds

4/2009- ECTS Instructor Gary Reho sets new USBA/WBA World Record- 126 boards in 10 seconds

3/2009- Drew Serrano featured in Tae Kwon Do Times...The main focus of the May 2009 issue of Tae Kwon Do Times was Martial Arts Breaking, and Drew was asked for his input on the subject. Drew along with Grandmaster Hee IL Cho and Grandmaster Ralph Bergamo, are considered true experts in the World of Breaking. Drew was interviewed by the magazine to give his views and experiences concerning breaking. Click the following links to view the story...

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1/2009- Daniele Serrano promoted to full Black Belt in American Filipino Kun Tao/Rossi Kun Tao, one of two females promoted in over 20 years! On January 18, 2009, a Black Belt test and promotion was held for the American Filipino Kun Tao Federation. The test and ceremony was held at Blue Line Martial Arts, Scott Road, Waterbury.

The day started with 9 Black Belts, ranging from 1st degree to 7th degree, and ended with 12. Among those promoted was our own Daniele Serrano. Daniele has over 16 years in Kun Tao and was well deserving of the promotion. Also promoted to 1st degree Black Belt were Kelly Pearce, Ms. Pearce is also the ISKA Women's World Creative Breaking Champion, and Robert Anderson.

After the promotion of the new Black Belts, Senior Masters Ralph Bergamo and Drew Serrano had a surprise to all of the Black Belts in attendance. Each Black Belt was promoted one degree, a promotion long over due. Two new Masters, 5th degree Black Belts, were among the promoted, Master Ronald Sullivan and Master Vincent Milo. Drew Serrano was promoted by Master Bergamo and Master Mel Hebert to the rank of 7th degree Senior Master Black Belt.

The Black Belts in attendance and Master Mel Hebert of CA had a surprise of their own for Master Bergamo. They presented Master Bergamo with a certificate recognizing him as 8th degree Grandmaster and have petitioned 2 Grandmasters of different styles to acknowledge their recognition/promotion.

11/2008- New footage added on Discovery Channel website...The Discovery Channel website has added clips of Drew's appearance on "Time Warp" to it's Interactive Video section. You are able to scroll the footage frame by frame.

CLICK HERE to check out the interactive videos.

11/2008- East Coast Training Systems brings STRIKE-FIT™ CROSS-TRAINING to the SHU Pioneers...ECTS just finished Strike-Fit Cross-Training (SXF) sessions with 2 of Sacred Heart University's sports teams: Women's Softball and Men's Lacrosse.

The 22 women and 42 men were put through a rigorous combination of training methods to enhance speed, reflexes, power, hand-eye coordination, endurance, and most importantly mental fortitude. Both groups, especially the Women's Team, showed improvement in physical ability, and more importantly that "never give up" mentality.

The teams also learned combative sports and self-defense skills which are the backbone of the program. For more information on the SXF™ program CLICK HERE.

10/2008- Master Drew Serrano and Grandmaster Ralph Bergamo to be featured on Discovery Channel...When the producers of the new Discovery Channel series "Time Warp" were looking for the best Martial Arts Masters in the World to be part of their premier episode, they turned to World Martial Arts Champions Drew Serrano and Ralph Bergamo.

Over the Summer, the duo were contacted by the producers of this brand new series to display one of their unique Martial Arts' abilities, BREAKING! Both Drew and Ralph are known around the World for their expertise in generating tremendous power in their strikes and focusing their inner energy, "CHI", enabling them to do what most think is impossible. They are also the founders of the United States and World Breaking Association, the largest Martial Arts Breaking association in the World!

Drew was the main focus of the episode that will first air on October 15, 2008 at 8pm (EST). Surrounded by high-speed camera equipment, the show captures every reaction of Drew's body as it crushes concrete and withstands a closet pole to the stomach. The footage, the first of it's kind, is truly unbelievable! See for yourself what happens in slow motion.

9/2008- Kun Tao Basics- Volume 1...NOW ON SALE...ECTS is proud to announce the first in a series of DVD's focusing on Kun Tao. American-Filipino Kun Tao is a reality based self-defense martial art. Kun Tao Basics- Volume 1, focuses on the basics of Kun Tao:

• Basic Upper and Lower Body Strikes

• Proper Body Mechanics

• Increasing Power and Accuracy through Pad Work

• Creating a Flow of techniques

• Defenses against Punches, Kicks, and more...

This DVD is geared for the beginner, or the practitioner looking or a review and a new approach to defense tactics. Each technique is broken down and explained step by step. The main menu allows the viewer to jump directly to the desired technique. This DVD sets the base for future DVD's in this series.

Click here for secure online ordering.

9/2008- East Coast Training Systems to start 2 new programs at Sacred Heart University and Amistad Academy...ECTS is proud to announce it's involvement with 2 educational establishments at opposite ends of the spectrum. The first is Amistad Academy Elementary School in New Haven, part of the Achievement First Charter School program. Amistad Academy  provides unique opportunities to inner-city students to excel in academics and build important character skills. ECTS will be running two programs for the academy, Capoeira and Competition Martial Arts. Each program is unique, providing participants with the benefits associated with Martial Arts. The Competition program will culminate with participants competing at a local event.

Strike-Fit will be coming to Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT. ECTS will be bringing the unique fitness program to the students of the well known university. Strike-Fit will run every Monday from 6-7pm in the aerobics room of the William H. Pitt Health and Recreation Center.

7/2008- Drew and Daniele to start 2 adult Kun Tao classes...Drew and Daniele are working to start two adult American-Filipino Kun Tao classes in the greater Waterbury, CT area. The first will be at Gym Nation in Waterbury scheduled for Thursday evenings, 7:30-8:45pm. The second is at Charland Institute of Karate in Watertown, time and day to be announced.

Drew has been a practitioner of Kun Tao for more than 22 years, is a 6th degree Master in Kun Tao, and trained directly under the late Grand Master Joseph Rossi and his closest Black Belt Michael Byrnes. He also has trained with Master Ralph Bergamo for over 9 years and will continue his close relationship with Bergamo's Martial Arts of Naugatuck and Team Bergamo.

Daniele has been a practitioner of Kun Tao for over 15 years and is working toward her full Black Belt in the style. She is one of the top female practitioners in Kun Tao.

Drew and Daniele have also trained with the most respected Kun Taoists including Master Mel Hebert (owner of Realistic Training Concepts- CA, and the longest active practitioner of GM Rossi's Kun Tao system), Master Jon Gentile, Raymond Barquin, Ronald Sullivan, Vincent Milo, Clinton Murphy (owner of Academy of Fighting Arts- Brookfield, CT), Eric Sousa (owner of Blue Line Martial Arts- Waterbury, CT), Alan Stekloff, Raphael Velez, and Colin Thompson.

Drew is also a founding member and on the board of directors for the American-Filipino Kun Tao Federation originally formed by Grand Master Rossi to oversee Kun Tao and it's teachings.

Whether you currently train in another Martial Art or have decided to start, we invite you to come in and try a FREE class! It is not only a great workout, but it will be a positive influence in your life. CONTACT US for more information.

7/2008- Teenagers return as World Champions...Drew has been involved with Team Bergamo for 10 years. Two longtime students Kelly Pearce and Jonathan Hardwicke took the US Open World Martial Arts Championships by storm winning World Breaking Championship titles at 19yrs old.

The US Open is one of the largest Open Martial Arts Competitions in the World, drawing competitors from around the globe. There are 2 breaking championships at the US Open, USBA/WBA (founded by Drew Serrano and Ralph Bergamo) and ISKA (which is televised every year on ESPN2).

The USBA/WBA portion of the competition was a great success, with well over 100 competitors form across the US, Canada, Ireland, South Africa, Trinidad, England, and others. Drew and Ralph run the event with the help of many others, including Daniele Silva.

The ISKA World Breaking Championships are televised on ESPN2 each year. It brings the top breakers from around the World and is an invitation only event. Drew Has been featured numerous times on the ESPN2 coverage along with his team mates from Team Bergamo. This year Drew took 6th out of a field of 20 with an unconventional palm heel break, all other competitors use an elbow for Power Breaking. Drew holds the record for the most blocks broken with a palm at 11.

Drew's teammate Larry Fields from Texas won the Heavy Weight division with an elbow strike through 14 patio blocks. Two of the youngest members of Team Bergamo, who have been mentored by Drew, Ralph and the other senior members of the team, were the real highlights of the competition. At 19yrs old, they are both the youngest World Champions ever to win the event.

Kelly Pearce won the Women's Creative Breaking division with a display that rivaled many of the male competitors. She displayed breaks through stacks of concrete, closet poles broken over her leg and stomach (she stole that from Drew), and a shin kick through a baseball bat...that's right SHIN THROUGH A REAL BAT!

Jonathan Hardwicke, also 19, won the Lightweight Power Breaking division with a solid break of 13 out of 14 patio blocks. It is only his second year competing at the event. He beat out favorite, and teammate, Raphael Velez who has been the champion 2 years previous.

See photos from the event in the "New Pictures" section.

6/2008- Drew Serrano and Ralph Bergamo to be featured in upcoming Discovery Channel series "Time Warp"...Drew Serrano and Ralph Bergamo just finished work on a segment of an upcoming Discovery Channel series named "Time Warp" to air this fall. This is not Drew's first appearance on Discovery. In 2003 he was featured, along with teammate Clinton Murphy, in the very popular Discovery Channel project "Xtreme Martial Arts".

Time Warp uses high speed cameras, up to 5000 frames per second, to analyze various everyday events, as well as a variety of sports and athletes. The things that can be seen when the motion is broken down at such a slow rate is absolutely amazing.

Drew and Ralph were brought onto the project, filmed in Boston, because of their recognition in the Martial Arts, specifically breaking. With 6 high speed cameras capturing their every move, the duo performed breaks that set them apart from others in their field.

Drew palmed, elbowed, and forearmed his way through stacks of concrete providing what the show's producers consider some of the best footage of the series. He also stood motionless as a 2" closet pole was snapped across his mid-section...3 times because of takes!

Ralph Bergamo displayed his signature coconut break using only his bare fist. As juice from the coconut splashed the camera everything was caught on film and broken down frame by frame.

The duo are planning a follow up with the producers using x-ray cameras to capture what happens inside the body during these amazing feats of power and will. Check your local listings for airing times.

See more photos in the "New Pictures" section.