Alan Gibson
Alan Gibson, 43, has been training in the martial arts since 1980. He became a student of Wing Chun in 1984 after several years in GoJu Ryu Karate. He is a graduate of the King Alfred’s University College Winchester where he majored in Sports and Business Studies - this has furthered his understanding of the bio-mechanical, sociological, physiological and psychological aspects of his martial arts. Gibson learned his Wing Chun initially in his home town of Southampton before travelling to Hong Kong to further his studies with Yip Chun. Since 1999 he has been a firm devotee of the “Wong Shun Leung Way” and is closely affiliated to David Peterson principal instructor of the ‘Melbourne Chinese Martial Arts Club’ (MCMAC) in Australia.
Alan Gibson founded the Wing Chun Federation in 1990 with the express purpose of concerning himself solely with the development of his chosen art and creating a relaxed training atmosphere for his students. It has also proved a useful arena for bringing like minded teachers and organisations together, without the problems so often caused by political infighting. As an independent organisation, The Wing Chun Federation often organises seminars by guest teachers. These are normally held at the Wing Chun Federation's H.Q. in Southampton. Previous visiting coaches have included, David Peterson (Wong Shun Leung), Wan Kam Leung (Wong Shun Leung), Yip Chun, Steve Tappin (Escrima and weapons) and many others.
Gibson is probably best known as the author of his popular instructional books including: Beginning Wing Chun (formerly Why Wing Chun Works), Simple Thinking: Intelligent Fighters and The Wing Chun Forms: Combat Textbooks. These books are known internationally with publishing rights being sold as far afield as Germany and Russia. He is also a freelance writer whose articles have appeared in many journals, including ‘Combat’, ‘Martial Arts Illustrated’, ‘Ging Wing Chun’, ‘Kung-fu Secrets’, ‘The Society Of Martial Arts’ and ‘Loaded’ as well as many local newspapers magazines and fanzines. His articles and products also appear on many internet sites.
Gibson has lectured for Southampton University on his Coaching Philosophy and is also well known on the seminar circuit. He is always happy to demonstrate his ideas and training methods to other groups (both Wing Chun and others) when invited to do so. He was also present and demonstrated at the First World Wing Chun Conference in Hong Kong in 1999, and recently took an active part in the Second UK Wing Chun Conference in Leeds 2006. He continues to forge links with like minded martial artists both in the UK and around the rest of the world.