AikiDojo of Hickory is about 15 minutes from Claremont, traditional Aikido and Aiki Budo for ages 4 to adult, taught by Kaicho Pete Nappier, 9th Dan, with 57 years on the mat. Your first week is free.
The closest traditional Aikido dojo to Claremont, NC is AikiDojo of Hickory at 2364 Springs Rd NE, Hickory, NC 28601, about 15 minutes away. It offers kids, teen and adult Aikido classes six days a week, led by a 9th Dan instructor, with a free 1-week trial for new students.
Claremont families have a straight shot to AikiDojo of Hickory: I-40 West to Hickory, then north to Springs Road NE, about fifteen minutes door to door. For a small city with limited youth-activity options, a traditional dojo led by a 9th Dan is worth the short drive, and plenty of Claremont and Bunker Hill-area kids have earned their belts here.
Claremont students tend to train the evening kids and teen programs, and several Claremont adults make the Wednesday night Adult Samurai class their weekly ritual. The Saturday morning open mat is popular with families combining training with a Hickory errand run.
From Claremont, take I-40 West to Exit 128 (Fairgrove Church Rd) or Exit 126 (US-70 / Conover), head north to US-70, then west to 16th Street NE and north onto Springs Road NE. The dojo is on the right near the Walmart. About 15 minutes.
Our flagship kids program: real Aikido self-defense, character training and bully-proof confidence, four days a week.
Explore Young WarriorsSerious training for teenagers: practical self-defense, weapons fundamentals, discipline and the mental toughness to handle pressure.
Explore Teen SamuraiBeginner-friendly adult Aikido & Aiki Budo: joint locks, throws, weapons and de-escalation, taught by a 9th Dan with 57 years on the mat.
Explore Adult AikidoEvery class is at our Hickory dojo, Monday through Saturday.
About 15 minutes by car via I-40 East. We are at 2364 Springs Rd NE, Hickory, NC 28601, on Springs Road NE near the Walmart in northeast Hickory.
There is no traditional Aikido dojo in Claremont. AikiDojo of Hickory is the closest, roughly 15 minutes away, and it is the only dojo in the Catawba Valley led by a 9th Dan Aiki Budo instructor.
Lil Samurai (ages 4–6), Beginner Kids, Young Warriors (7–12), Teen Samurai (13+), plus a daytime Homeschool PE class. All are taught at our Hickory dojo, and every new student gets a free week.
Yes. Every new student from Claremont or anywhere else gets a free 1-week trial with no contract. Book online or call (704) 775-3401.
Kids classes run from 4:30 PM to 7 PM Monday–Thursday, teens 7–8:30 PM Tuesdays and Thursdays, and adults at 10 AM Mon/Wed/Fri and 7 PM Mon/Wed, plus Saturday morning open mat.
“It's the perfect program for children who are neurodivergent. Giving them confidence, learning a skill set to protect themselves, and teaching them they can do this!”
“Our 14 and 9 year old boys' first day at Aikido was amazing! The instructor is fantastic with the kids and very knowledgeable, and everyone there is so welcoming and helpful.”
Families from Claremont start the same way everyone does: one free week, no contract, no uniform. Pick a class and come see the dojo.
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