US immigrant raises awareness of self-defense skills
US immigrant raises awareness of self-defense skills
2024-03-13
A new immigrant from the U.S. is raising awareness of self-defense skills in Taiwan. Robert Wayne Hipple Jr. grew up in the U.S., inspired by martial arts movies from Hong Kong and Taiwan. Along with his wife, he now teaches self-defense classes to all comers. They hope to teach people how to get away safely from a dangerous encounter.
Early morning on a cold winter’s day, and students are already hard at work in the gym. But this is no ordinary fitness class. It’s a self-defense class.
The coach demonstrates a dangerous situation that might occur, and teaches students how to escape.
American immigrant Robert Wayne Hipple Jr. has lived in Taiwan for 12 years. His day job is in technology, but martial arts and self-defense are a passion he’s nurtured since childhood.
Robert Wayne Hipple Jr.
Self-defense teacher and US immigrant
We used to watch all of the martial arts films, from out of Hong Kong and such… a few from Taiwan as well! Of course, as a young person, you find it quite interesting and exciting. And through that, it led to reading books on the subject, and joining classes, as well, that were available in our small town.
Hipple loves sports and fitness, and studied boxing and judo for many years. He’s gradually developed a combination of sports and self-defense techniques. When he first arrived in Taiwan, he taught free classes at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall. Violent crime is not a big problem in Taiwan, and Hipple is impressed by the warm and good-naturedness of the Taiwanese. Even so, he believes self-defense skills have universal value.
Robert Wayne Hipple Jr.
Self-defense teacher and US immigrant
Will you likely ever need to use this skill in your lifetime? Honestly, I hope not. But it’s those few times where something happens, unfortunately, that we need it, and we’re so happy when we have it.
Hipple’s wife Peggy is his best sparring partner. She’s been studying self-defense for 10 years, and is a vital demo assistant in class.
Peggy
Wife of Robert Wayne Hipple Jr.
We’ve had couples come to the class together before. They are hoping that the wife or the girlfriend will know how to protect herself when she’s alone. It’s the same for Robert, actually. So he’s quite strict on me in class, but within a range that is okay for me.
Robert Wayne Hipple Jr.
Self-defense teacher and US immigrant
She’s one of the tough young ladies! If I had to say, I’m probably more afraid of her than she is of me!
The two have a tight rapport and see self-defense the same way. As a pair, they will continue to spread self-defense skills and understanding for many years to come.
This story was provided by the program "We Are Family"
Funded by New Immigrant Development Fund
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徒手就能抵抗歹徒 高文博推廣防身技巧
2024-03-13
來自美國的高文博，從年輕時就醉心於武術、防身術，因緣際會和台灣結下不解之緣。來台12年，他持續以自己多年來學得的個人防衛技巧，開課推廣人身安全觀念，希望以自己的興趣專長，讓更多人增強自我保護意識與能力。
寒流來襲的假日早晨，已經有人努力健身。不過和一般健身不太一樣，這個課程融合了防身術。
教練示範起可能面臨的危險狀況，並教學員怎麼脫困。
教練高文博來自美國，已經來台12年，平常在科技業工作，但武術與防身術，是他從小就培養起的興趣。
[[美國新住民 高文博]]
“我們會一起看各種很搞笑的香港武打電影，有幾部還是台灣的。看著看著就覺得武術很有趣，接著找書研究這是什麼東西，然後加入我成長的小鎮能提供的課程，開始學習(武術)。”
高文博也喜愛運動、健身，加上他學習多年的泰拳、柔道等武術，慢慢地將運動與防身技巧結合，初來台灣時，還在國父紀念館免費教課。儘管台灣治安良好，高文博也對台灣人的熱情善良印象深刻，但他認為，學習保護自己，不分何時何地。
[[美國新住民 高文博]]
“你這輩子會需要用到這些防身技巧嗎？老實說我當然不希望有用到的一天。但也許不幸的某些狀況發生，當我們需要它(防身術)時，會很慶幸有學過防身術。”
太太Peggy則是高文博的最佳拍檔，不但跟著學習防身術十年，現在也在課堂上擔任重要的示範角色。
[[高文博的太太 Peggy]]
“我們課堂上之前也是會有像是一些情侶或是夫妻一起上課。他們是希望，譬如說太太或女朋友，一個人的時候她也知道怎麼保護自己，其實對Robert來說也是一樣的，所以他會在課堂上對我比較嚴格，但是是我可以接受的範圍。”
[[美國新住民 高文博]]
“她是一個很強的女生！這麼說吧，比起來應該是我比較怕她，而不是她怕我。”
兩人有默契，對防身的觀念一致，有了Peggy的陪伴，高文博未來要持續在台灣推廣自我保護意識。
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