A community rooted in tradition, guided by respect, and committed to developing people of character.
Perth Soo Bahk Do has been part of the Western Australian martial arts community for over two decades. We are proud affiliates of the World Moo Duk Kwan organisation, practising one of Korea's oldest and most authentic martial arts traditions.
Founded on the principles of discipline, respect, and lifelong learning, our school has grown from a small community group into a thriving dojang serving students from across Perth — north and south of the river.
Our instructors are certified through the World Moo Duk Kwan, ensuring that the techniques and philosophy you learn are authentic and lineage-traced to the art's Korean origins.
Soo Bahk Do (수박도) is a traditional Korean martial art with roots stretching back over 2,000 years. The modern system was developed and formalised by Grandmaster Hwang Kee in 1945 through the Moo Duk Kwan, one of Korea's original martial arts schools.
Unlike sport-focused martial arts, Soo Bahk Do is a complete system — encompassing striking, forms (hyung), weapons, and the philosophical foundations that guide a practitioner's conduct both inside and outside the dojang.
Practitioners develop mental clarity, physical fitness, and a code of ethics that extends into everyday life. It is as much about developing character as it is about developing technique.
Master Frank Akkerboom holds the rank of 5th Dan and has over 30 years of experience in Korean martial arts. He began training as a teenager and has since trained with senior instructors from more than 25 countries, developing a depth of technical knowledge and cross-cultural insight that informs his teaching today.
Frank currently serves as Regional Examiner and as an assistant on the Technical Advisory Committee within the Soo Bahk Do federation, and regularly attends Ko Dan Ja (master belt) grading events to continue refining his own understanding of the art.
He has taken over Perth Soo Bahk Do from his instructor 10+ years ago and has continued to build the school known for its supportive community and disciplined instruction. Frank's approach integrates the physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions of traditional Korean martial arts, with the goal of helping each student develop not only as a martial artist, but as a person. He teaches alongside his wife, a 3rd Dan instructor.
The values of Soo Bahk Do guide everything we do — in training and in life.
We are all different, but we treat each other with the same respect.
Challenge is necessary, but a dose of fun makes it so much better.
The power of taking responsibility for everything you do.
Growing the potential of others by giving back.
A dedicated practitioner with over 30 years of experience, bringing depth of knowledge and genuine passion to every class.
Not only the wife of Frank, Eve has been a practitioner for almost 20 years herself, and support all aspects of the school and the organisation.
A dedicated practitioner with over 20 years of experience, bringing depth of knowledge and genuine passion to every class.
The best way to understand Soo Bahk Do is to experience it. Join us for a free trial class — no commitment, no experience required.
