Hidden gem in Sioux Falls! Bruce (The Owner and Instructor)…read moreis a 2nd degree black belt in Jiu Jitsu (22 years) Muay Thai, Karate (22 years) and teaching MMA for 14 years. With a variety of programs for kids and adults, the academy has it all. Great instruction, amazing, clean facilities and a great group of students. Just blocks from downtown Next edge is a great place for locals or visitors to take their training to the next level!!!

Dakota Budokan an outstanding Judo dojo. There is a generous offering of class times for children…read moreand adults, and a very inexpensive monthly membership allows you to attend as many of these as you want (including classes in Japanese Jiu Jitsu, and Karate). The dojo is modestly sized and clean. Everyone -senseis, students, and parents, are warm and welcoming. The style of Judo taught here is best described as freestyle. Practice is a roughly equal mix of standing throws (nagi waza), and ground-based submission grappling (newaza). Most Judo dojos focus heavily -if not exclusively, on nagi waza, which is great if you want to compete in Olympic-rules judo. DB's balanced approach keeps class from getting stale, and provides a superior education in self-defense, as you will become equally comfortable standing or on the ground. I write this review from two perspectives: as the father of three grade-school boys, and as an adult student with prior martial arts experience. FOR PARENTS SEEKING TO ENROLL CHILDREN: My children have attended for two years. They are tired but happy by the end of class. It's a nice mix of cardio, stretching, and strength training, followed by drills on specific techniques. The lesson usually ends in sessions of randori (sparring, or live-wrestling), which despite being the most exhausting, is the most eagerly anticipated segment. Both senseis are exceptional with kids (one is an elementary school teacher), and the kids adore them. The mood is fun but disciplined. Classes may occasionally open with a rowdy game of tag, but when the sensei requests that the kids line up and be quiet, the kids learn to comply, as extra push-ups or the occasional time out will follow commands that go unheeded. If you are not okay with disciplining your offspring, this is not the dojo for you. Advancement through belt ranks is slow. This is a good thing, as Judo requires a lengthy period of study and refinement to achieve mastery. There are no 12 year-old black belts here. The reward lies in realizing that the techniques they have learned actually work against an actively resisting opponent. Submissions are not taught to children until they are suitably mature (at the sensei's discretion) in the interest of personal and public safety. If your child is a wrestler, there is no better activity to enroll them in than Judo. It explores a plethora of techniques that get little to no attention in school wrestling programs, and it is done in an environment that offers more one-on-one time with the instructors -and in my opinion, under a lot less pressure than you find in most wrestling programs. This gives the child a place to continue learning and to stay in shape without feeling like they are in a year-round meat-grinder. FOR ADULTS SEEKING TRAINING: An hour of grappling here is an extremely intense workout; I would put it well above anything else you could do for exercise this side of distance running or crossfit (and I promise you that throwing someone over your shoulder is way more fun and satisfying than box jumping). Students hail from a diverse range of backgrounds, but they all share the same goals: learn and practice the art, and take good care of their training partners. The competition is brisk in randori. No one is going to let you win, which makes it all the more satisfying when you do. There is no maliciousness among the students, even in the toughest of matches. Like any other vigorous sport, injuries can happen, but they are never intentional, nor accidental as the result of recklessness. This is a very safe place to train hard. The quality of the instruction here is second to none. Sensei Walker's quiet and humble disposition belies his encyclopedic knowledge of the art. He is the dojo's owner, and is present to teach and participate in most classes. Sensei Dang studied for many years under Sensei Walker, and yet his teaching approach differs substantially from his mentor's, providing additional breadth and interest in instruction. You will come away from a class with something new every time you attend, regardless of who is teaching. One of the most unique aspects to training here is that the instructors will frequently participate in randori with their students. I cannot emphasize enough how incredible this is as a student. The majority of martial arts studios are run by senseis who are knowledgeable, but teach only as a third-party non-combatant. To be personally defeated by your instructor, who will then immediately teach you the technique he used, or identify the flaw in your game that he exploited, is an immeasurably beneficial resource in advancing one's understanding of the art. It is one of many reasons that I train here, but it is also one of my favorites. If you are looking for excellent instruction, healthy competition, a mentally engaging 2000 calorie workout, good friends, or a good time, you will find them all at Dakota Budokan.

I have been training here for several years as an adult. The instruction is excellent and I enjoy…read morethe comradary with my training partners. As a side benefit the fitness I get from judo is excellent and much more functional than other programs. Due to a busy schedule and life events I am unable to attend as often as I have in the past but the class schedule allows several options. Also the more advanced students accommodate to different skill levels. So newcomers of all levels are welcome. I have 2 daughters (aged 11 and 9) that have recently began training here also. I initially made them so they can learn a method of self defense. It turns out they love it and can't wait to go to class. The instructors are great with kids. I would highly recommend this school for any child.

Outstanding help with any fitness or health goal you may have! Kelsie is an accomplished body…read morebuilding competitor, excellent posing coach and also can be a compassionate listener to your body image concerns. ​​​​​​​

Great place to train! Devin is a great instructor who has experience in what he's teaching.read more

The finest martial arts organization. Chief Master Hoover and Mr. B. teach youth through adults…read morediscipline and honor for their bodies and minds. I participate in the adult classes while our grandson is in the k

They lost my tank carriers last time I had them there to do hydro certs. The asserted absolutely…read moreZERO effort to rectify this. I will not be returning nor do I recommend this establishment. They are unorganized and this is a true DIVE dive shop.

I have nothing but positive things to say about Landshark and the whole crew. Colonel's contagious…read moreenthusiasm and knowledge about scuba diving makes every step of the process fun and comfortable. He always answered the phone when I called and patiently answered all of my questions, even when they got repetitive. The whole team exceeded expectations and I am hoping my husband and I can join them in Cozumel next March! Don't go anywhere else but Landshark for anything Scuba related, I wish I could give them 10 stars!

This outdoor skating rink is open December 20th through February 17th. The rink is run by the city…read moreand has a warming house with skate rentals. The rink is free to use. The main rink is a circle and there is a separate hockey rink. They have assistive walkers for beginners. There is a large parking lot. Ice quality is at the mercy of the weather. The hockey rink has a cement base so can be used for roller blade hockey practice during warm weather. This is a really nice outdoor rink and is dirt cheap to rent skates. This is a perfect outdoor fun activity. I highly recommend trying this place.

Very easy to work with and such an inviting environment. Talented lady and such a gem! Very…read moreflexible and understanding.