The Blue Wave Taekwondo Association is the longest standing and most progressive martial arts organization in Vermont. Grandmaster Bruce V. Twing opened the first Taekwondo school in the town of Hardwick, Vermont in 1969, later founding the Blue Wave Association in 1978.

Originally a member of the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF), Blue Wave joined the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) in 1985 and adopted the Kukkiwon standards. This fast-paced Taekwondo sparring style was recognized as an Olympic sport in 2000.

There are over 120 active black belts training at twelve different Blue Wave dojangs across Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine.

The Blue Wave Taekwondo Association offers classes and events for children and adults, beginning and advanced students.

• Individual Advancement - Rank promotions are based on individual growth through documented testing requirements
• Direct Lineage to Korea - Instructors and Black Belts are Kukkiwon Certified
• Association Events - Blue Wave hosts seminars, weekend camps and tournaments
• Extended Network - Opportunities to participate in national and international taekwondo events
• Online Community - Social networking site provides instructional videos and communication across the association

The Blue Wave Association hosts three weekend Taekwondo events, organizes the BVT Juniors Tournament and offers many seminars throughout the year. These are opportunities for Blue Wave students to share information across the Blue Wave gyms and gather socially with other Taekwondo practitioners. The well attended events build unity across the association while providing inspiration and motivation for individuals to continue their Taekwondo journey.

Blue Wave Summer Camp began in 1983 and strengthens the Taekwondo family through a traditional camping experience. During the first weekend in August, tents and RVs cover the grass field at Tunbridge Fair Grounds in Tunbridge, VT and laughter can be heard from the river flowing along its border.

There are two sheltered workout areas with mats for Taekwondo seminars and abundant space outdoors for other fun activities. Geared toward adults and juniors, black belts and gup rank students, Summer Camp is our most popular event.

Blue Wave Winter Camp has been held the first weekend in March since 2000. Hosted within New England, the indoor venue attracts guest instructors including Grandmaster Tae Sung Lee and U.S. National Poomsae Team Members, as well as other associations like Connecticut Chung Do Kwan and Midwest Taekwondo.

The matted training facility, quality seminars, and popular Friday night black belt testing make for a busy weekend. Geared toward adults and juniors, black belts and gup rank students, it is preferred by those looking for the comfort of a hotel.

Blue Wave Black Belt Conference began in 2005 to provide training sessions for the over 120 active black belts within the association. This annual gathering is held the first weekend in November and features hands-on seminars, instructor education, and Taekwondo demonstrations. Seminar topics range from kicking drills and sparring concepts to poomsae practice and SPEAR/PDR training.

The BVT Juniors Tournament began in 2000 in memory of Grandmaster Bruce V. Twing. Hosted annually, it provides a local, low pressure poomsae and Olympic style sparring tournament for Blue Wave junior competitors and fellow New England gyms. The fully matted event with electronic scoring promotes a positive experience by providing each participant with a certificate and medal.

The Blue Wave Association is organized and led by an Executive Board and numerous volunteers. Grandmaster Twing intended for a group of Blue Wave students to share the responsibilities and leadership necessary for sustaining and expanding the association over time. The positions on the Executive Board are President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, 3rd Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Blue Wave has over 120 active black belts, including 15 black belts with 5th Dan Master rank or higher, indicating the breadth of Taekwondo knowledge, passion and dedication within the organization.

Grandmaster Tae Sung Lee began training Taekwondo in 1953 with a military squad in Incheon, Korea. He tested for his black belt in 1955 and was invited to Chung Do Kwan headquarters in Seoul, Korea to become an instructor. In 1964, while teaching at the US Air Force base in Osan, Korea, Bruce V. Twing became a student of Grandmaster Lee.

After returning to Vermont, Grandmaster Twing lost contact with Grandmaster Lee until 1986, when they reunited in Korea. Over 40 years later, Tae Sung Lee is still the Blue Wave Association’s Grand Master Instructor. He visits the New England dojangs from his home in South Korea annually to share his knowledge and passion for Taekwondo.

Training with Grandmaster Lee is a humbling and inspiring experience. He feels most comfortable in the dojang, running workouts where he can correct and challenge Taekwondo practitioners of varying abilities.