Welcome to the Chinese Martial Arts Center in Clearwater, Florida!
Dear Neighbors: For over 50 years I have been involved in the practice of martial arts. With an early background in Karate, Judo, and Jiu-Jitsu, in my late teens I started my journey in Chinese martial arts. In December of 1981, I opened my first school in Parma, Ohio, where I lived at the time, and have been teaching professionally and on a full-time basis ever since.
I have been fortunate to have trained with some of the finest masters in the world in several different traditional Chinese martial arts styles, and I continue to follow my teachers to this day. In the 1980s, I was operating schools in the greater Cleveland area and had branch schools in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina.
In 1992 I promoted one of the first all-Chinese martial arts tournaments in North America, the Great Lakes Kung Fu Championship, which was one of the first tournaments dedicated solely to Chinese martial arts.
In 1993 I relocated to Clearwater, Florida, where I have operated several schools. And after more than 40 years of teaching, it is my privilege to continue to pass on the knowledge I have acquired from my teachers, and I welcome you to join our school.
Master Nick Scrima
- Started training in his early teens
- More than 50 years of martial arts training
- Trained under the tutelage of many renowned masters
- More than 43 years of professional teaching experience
- Recipient of the 9th Duan (one of the highest ranks in North America)
- Internationally recognized master instructor
- Featured in national and international martial arts magazines
- Appeared on Chinese TV
- Performed in China
- Trainer of numerous National and International Champions
- USAWKF Hall of Fame Coach of the Year
- USAWKF Hall of Fame Promoter of the Year
- Martial Arts Elite Hall of Fame
- American Pioneer Award Hall of Fame for Chinese Martial Arts
- Inside Kung-Fu Hall of Fame
- Served as AAU National Chair for Chinese Martial Arts
- President of the International Chinese Martial Arts Championship (ICMAC) Tournament Circuit
- Promoter of the World Sanda League
- 1st in North America to promote Professional Sanda Fights (Chinese style Full-Contact Fights)
- Publisher of the Journal of Chinese Martial Arts and the Wugong Journal
Grandmaster William C. C. Chen – Master Scrima started learning from Grandmaster William C.C. Chen in 1983, studying Yang Style Tai Chi as transmitted by the renowned Zheng Manqing. Master Scrima learned the 60 Movement Tai Chi Form, Tai Chi Sword, Push Hands, Tai Chi Boxing, and Tai Chi principles.
Grandmaster Leung Shum – Master Scrima started learning from Grandmaster Leung Shum in 1984, studying Northern Eagle Claw Kung Fu, Eagle Claw Fighting Principles and Skills, Classical Chinese Weapons, and Qin Na. Master Scrima also learned Wu Style Tai Chi from Grandmaster Shum, studying the Wu Style Slow Form, Wu Style Fast Form, Wu Style Tai Chi Weapons, and Wu Style Tai Chi Push Hands.
Grandmaster Di Guoyong – Master Scrima invited Grandmaster Di Guoyong from Beijing, one of the foremost authorities on Xing Yi Quan, Liang Style Bagua, and Chuo Jiao (Poking Feet), to teach workshops at his school in Florida. He has returned regularly since 2004 for extended training periods. Master Scrima has learned Xing Yi Quan, Bagua Zhang, and Nei Gong from Master Di.
Grandmaster Tao Bingxiang (usually addressed as Dr. Tao) – Master Scrima was introduced to Grandmaster Tao Bingxiang by Grandmaster William C. C. Chen in 1987, and learned Yang Style Tai Chi, Push Hands, Ta Lu, Tai Chi Partner Form (Tai Chi San Shou), Xing Yi Sword Fencing, and Liu He Ba Fa from him over many years. Sadly, he passed away in 2006. Tao Bingxiang and William Chen were classmates and disciples of Professor Zheng Manqing.
Grandmaster Cam Hung Marr – Master Scrima was introduced to Grandmaster Marr by Grandmaster Alex Kwok in 1986. A senior practitioner of Mizong Luohan Kung Fu, he had recently moved from Hong Kong to Toronto, Canada. Master Scrima trained with him at his schools in Ohio and in Toronto for several years, learning many Tao Lu (Forms, Kata), as well as historical background and principles.
Grandmaster Alex Kwok – One of the most accomplished Chinese martial arts competitors, Grandmaster Alex Kwok was rated Number One in Forms and Sparring by Professional Karate Magazine in 1976. He was also selected by Warner Brothers to play the role of Bruce Lee after his passing. Grandmaster Kwok has been one of Master Scrima’s most influential teachers, and a mentor in all facets of the art since 1983, providing him with a solid foundation and understanding of the Mizong Luohan system of Kung Fu. Master Scrima learned many hand and weapons forms as well as fighting skills from Grandmaster Kwok.
Grandmaster Tony Yang (Yang Shu-Ton) – Master Scrima first met Grandmaster Tony Yang in Ohio in the 1980s but did not start learning from him until the early 1990s. He studied Baji Quan, Yin Style Bagua, and Praying Mantis from Grandmaster Yang. They have also promoted several tournaments together. Grandmaster Yang was a disciple of Su Yu-Chang and of the famed Liu Yun-Chiao who had trained with some of China’s greatest masters.
Master Benson Lee – When Master Scrima contacted the Ying Jow Pai school in New York to learn Eagle Claw Kung Fu with Grandmaster Leung Shum, one of his senior students, Master Benson Lee, traveled to Cleveland instead, in 1983. Many visits followed. They have been close friends for more than 40 years.
I first met Nick Scrima in 1983 and he has trained with me in Yang Style Tai Chi, fighting concepts, and San Shou since then. As a teacher he offers the best possible martial arts program at his school and is committed to the preservation of traditional Chinese Martial Arts.
– Grandmaster William C. C. Chen
If a Master has one good student his whole life he is lucky! Nick respects me and respects Kung Fu. He has a good mind for Kung Fu and for business and has been successful in both. He has been training in Eagle Claw since the early 1980s and is still eager to learn.
– Grandmaster Leung Shum
Persistence, diligence, and a positive attitude are attributes that come to mind when describing Nick Scrima, who has been my student since 1984. His dedication and pursuit of high standards are well respected by his students and peers and his contributions to Chinese Martial Arts in America speak for themselves.
– Grandmaster Alex Kwok
It is my distinct pleasure to recognize the efforts and dedication of Nick Scrima for his teaching and advancement of Chinese Martial Arts. It has been an honor to instruct him in Baji Quan, Pigua Zhang, Praying Mantis, and Bagua Zhang.
– Grandmaster Tony Yang (Yang Shu-Ton)
Within our first meeting in the early 1980s, I was impressed by Nick’s passion for learning martial arts and his ability to learn quickly and retain and grasp the finer details of Eagle Claw. Nick has continued his training with Grandmaster Shum and today is a much respected member of our Eagle Claw family.
– Master Benson Lee
Nick Scrima is like an Eagle that can fly to far-reaching places and like a Tiger that roars overwhelmingly among the mountains. I am proud to have him as my Xingyi and Bagua student.
– Grandmaster Di Guoyong, Beijing
Through continuous, diligent research, Nick Scrima has expertly discerned the differences between authentic traditional Chinese martial arts and modified, distorted versions thereof. His endeavors in this regard go a long way toward preserving the Art in the genuine sense of the term.
– Grandmaster Chi Hung Marr
Chinese martial arts originated in China and belongs to the world. Nick Scrima has worked tirelessly to carry forward this precious cultural legacy and made outstanding contributions to promote the cultural ties between China and the United States. I am proud of you.
– Grandmaster Li Deyin, Beijing
My good friend Nick Scrima is a pioneer and true visionary in teaching and promoting Chinese martial arts in North America.
– Grandmaster Sun Deyao
In an industry with far too many “masters” whose egos seem exceeded only by their belt size, I find the chance to associate with Nick Scrima refreshing and encouraging. He commands respect and inspires loyalty.
– Cory Schafer, President, ISKA
Nick Scrima you are already at the top. Let’s go even farther.
– Wu Bin, Beijing (Jet Li’s Coach)
Our School
Our martial arts school is centrally located in the Northwood Oaks Shopping Center at the intersection of McMullen Booth and Enterprise Roads. We serve the communities of Countryside, Safety Harbor, Clearwater, Palm Harbor, Oldsmar, East Lake, Dunedin, and Trinity. Some of our students even come from as far as Tampa and St. Petersburg to train at the Chinese Martial Arts Center.
2519 McMullen-Booth Road #511
Clearwater, FL 33761
Phone: 727-791-8222