Coastal Martial Arts & Fitness

Coastal Martial Arts & Fitness

Coastal Martial Arts & Fitness is a coaching-based martial arts and fitness training academy located in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. We are not a traditional martial arts school. We are a community-focused training center built on a deeply personal mission: helping everyday people go from fear to confidence through practical, real-world martial arts training.
Our academy was founded by Shihan Dave Durman and Renshi Sally Durman, two of the most credentialed and experienced martial arts instructors in the region. Shihan Dave holds a 6th Dan in Kempo, a 2nd Dan in Shotokan, and a Black Belt in Kickboxing, and brings over 40 years of teaching experience, including 12 years of service in the Australian Navy. He has trained three ISKA world champions and a professional boxer. Renshi Sally holds a 4th Dan in Kempo and a Black Belt in Kickboxing. As a survivor and advocate for women’s and children’s safety, her journey from survivor to black belt shapes the heart of everything we do at Coastal Martial Arts & Fitness.
What We Offer
We offer a range of programs designed to serve women, children, teens, families, and military personnel at every level of experience:
Kaigan Bujutsu (Kempo) - Available for ages 5 and up, including dedicated family classes where parents and children train together on the same mat. Our six-phase rotating curriculum takes students through basic, intermediate, and advanced skills over four or more years, culminating in a genuine black belt achievement.
Dragonites Program - Designed specifically for children ages 5-7, this program combines practical Kempo with six blocks of real-world personal safety education, including conflict avoidance, the NO-GO-YELL-TELL method, bully busting, and R.A.D. (Recognise, Avoid, Defend). It is one of the most comprehensive child safety programs available in the area.
Pekiti Tirsia Kali - A traditional Filipino weapons-based martial art offered as part of our Masters Club program.
Fitness Kickboxing - A high-energy, fitness-focused class for ages 14 and up, designed to build strength, conditioning, and striking skills.
Sally’s Strength Series - Free women’s self-defense seminars offered several times a year, led by Renshi Sally Durman in partnership with Shelter House. These seminars are open to the community and offered at no cost, reflecting our commitment to empowering women and supporting survivors.
Who We Serve
Coastal Martial Arts & Fitness proudly serves the Fort Walton Beach community, with a particular focus on:
Women seeking confidence, self-defense skills, and a supportive training environment
Children and families who want to train together and grow together
Military families connected to Eglin Air Force Base, who benefit from our flexible, no lock-in membership structure and a 10% active military discount
Beginners who may feel intimidated by traditional martial arts schools and want a welcoming, coach-led environment
Survivors who are looking for a place to rebuild confidence and strength
We understand the unique challenges of military life, including frequent postings and deployments. That is why we operate on a week-to-week membership model with no long-term contracts. If a family gets posted tomorrow, they are not left paying for classes they cannot attend.
Our Facility
Our 2,500 sq ft facility in Fort Walton Beach is purpose-built for martial arts training, with a dedicated martial arts floor and a separate fitness and coaching room. Classes run Monday through Thursday, with multiple time slots available each evening to accommodate families and working adults. All classes are instructor-led, structured, and progression-based.
Our Values
At Coastal Martial Arts & Fitness, we believe martial arts is about far more than punches and kicks. We build confidence, discipline, and resilience that extend well beyond the mat. Our Black Belt Principles of Modesty, Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Courage, and Indomitable Spirit guide everything we do, from the way we teach to the way we engage with our community.
We are proud to be a locally owned, family-run business that is deeply invested in the Fort Walton Beach community. We look forward to growing alongside the businesses, families, and organizations that make this area such a special place to live and train.
Contact Information Website: www.coastalmartialarts.com Email: hello@coastalmartialarts.com Location: Fort Walton Beach, Florida