McElroy's

Martial Arts Academy

Shihan Rick McElroy Founded MMAA in 1979

Coach/Athlete 2019, 2017 US National Martial Arts Team

2017 Inducted into USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame

Gold & Silver Medalist 2001 First World Competition

Studied Under World's Leading Martial Artists

Learn BJJ

BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) is taught in our Island Rec Center Adult and Youth Classes.

For more details...

2026 Kids' Karate Summer Camp

Monday, June 8, 26 to Friday, June 12, 26

Time: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Location: Island Recreation Center

Ages: 5 - 18 years

For more details...

Three winners, including Abigail and Miles, standing before judges in middle of floor to receive ribbons.

Abigail and Miles receiving 1st and 2nd place awards - Good Will Karate Tournament Feb 2026

Abigail standing smiling proudly showing blue first place ribbon with Sifu McElroy standing behind her smiling with arm around her shoulders.

Abigail 1st Place Kata - Good Will Karate Tournament Feb 2026

Nine MMAA Boys and Girls with McElroy posed standing smiling wearing new belts - viewed from right

MMAA Students' New Belt Ranking Nov 2025 - Right

Nine MMAA Boys and Girls with McElroy posed standing smiling wearing new belts - viewed from left

MMAA Students' New Belt Ranking Nov 2025 - Left

Price and McElroy posed standing smiling wearing Karate gi

Soke Bill Price (Chibukukai Karate) Shihan Rick McElroy at Kuniba-ha Shito-ryu Karate-do Seminar, Myrtle Beach Nov. 2025

McElroy and Inosanto posed standing smiling wearing training t-shirts and pants

Rick Mcelroy and Guru Dan Inosanto Masters Seminar Sept 2025

Posed standing smiling wearing workout attire

L-R Ronnie Travis Rick McElroy Sifu Francis Fong Chris Milian Eric Seminar Aug 2025 Columbia Martial Arts School

McElroy and Inosanto posed standing, smiling, arm on shoulder.

Sifu McElroy - Sifu Dan Inosanto Train with Masters Atlanta April 2025

Clark and McElroy posed standing, smiling.

Joel Clark of Inosanto Academy - Sifu McElroy Train with Masters Atlanta April 2025

McElroy and Fong posed standing, smiling, arms on shoulders.

Sifu McElroy - Sifu Francis Fong Train with Masters Atlanta April 2025

Standing pose of MMAA three girls and one boy, wearing kata, showing thumbs-up and holding awards.

Goodwill Karate Tournament Feb. 2025 - All MMAA who participated placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd

McElroy and Chai posed standing arms on shoulders smiling

McElroy Attends Master Chai President USA & World Thai Boxing Associations "Father of Thai Boxing USA" Seminar, Atlanta May 2024

Guru Inosanto and Sifu McElroy posed standing with arms around shoulders

Guru Dan Inosanto - Train with Masters, Atlanta Apr 2024

Six boy and girl students posed with three showing framed awards.

Goodwill Karate Tournament Feb 2024

Young boy and girl students and Sifu McElroy posed with some showing framed awards

Goodwill Karate Tournament Feb 2024

Standing pose outdoors wearing gi

Shihan Bill Price, Soke Shogo Kuniba, Shihan Rick McElroy, Shihan Koboyashi Summer Camp VA 1988

Posed standing wearing gi

Bill "Superfoot" Wallace, Shihan Rick McElroy Golds Gym Bluffton SC 1999

Cliff Lenderman standing in middle with arms around Rick McElroy on left and Sifu Francis Fong on right

McElroy, Friend and Training Partner Cliff Lenderman and Sifu Fong at Lenderman's Academy of Martial Arts, Tacoma WA 1995

Standing posed Maul Mornie and Rick McElroy in training attire

Training with Maul Mornie The Bruneian Silat Master Venice FL Nov 2023

Watson and McElroy standing posed in Gi at Myrtle Beach Dojo

Shihan Kevin Watson 8th Dan and Shihan Rick McElroy at Chikubu Kai Fall Camp Myrtle Beach Nov 2023

Standing posed Backteman and McElroy with other black belt participants reflected in mirror behind them

Shihan Johan Backteman 8th Dan Head of Chikubu Kai Europe and Shihan Rick McElroy Fall Camp Myrtle Beach Nov 2023

17 Boys and Girls standing pose wearing various costumes.

Kids Karate Class Halloween Party Oct 2023

Posed youth class photo of 18 boys and girls including new belt recipients.

Congratulations New Yellow and Orange Belts Oct 2023

Casual standing pose with Joel Clark and Rick McElroy

Joel Clark with Inosanto Academy - Train with Legends Sept 2023

Mothers are invited to join the class and exercise with their student children

Mother's Day Participation 2023

Mothers pose with their children MMAA students

Mother's Day Class May 2023

World Kickboxing Champion Urquidez and Sifu McElroy haming it up for the camera

Training with Benny "The Jet" Urquidez May 2023

McElroy standing with Sifu Fong at Train with the Masters Seminar

Sifu Francis Fong - Train with Masters Apr 2023

Guru Inosanto and Sifu McElroy standing with arms around shoulders

Guru Dan Inosanto - Train with Masters Apr 2023

Sifu McElroy standing surrounded by his young students with other teams in background

Karate Tournament Beaufort, SC Feb 2023

Taboada smiling standing with McElroy during regional training seminar

Grand Master Bobby Taboada Charlotte NC Nov 2022

Four young students pose showing off their new yellow belts and related MMAA certificates

Yellow Belt Testing Nov 2022

Youth class exercise

Youth Class

six smiling casually standing young boys and girls showing off new yellow belts

Yellow Belt Celebration Oct 2021