Instructors

Coastal Combat School was founded by Peter Sawyer and his son, Harris — a family team dedicated to building a strong, supportive community through real combat training. With decades of combined experience, they’ve created a place where technical skill, confidence, and discipline are shared openly. Their passion for teaching and developing fighters at every level is at the heart of the school, and that family ethos shapes the welcoming, hard‑working environment our students train in.

PETER SAWYER

Peter Sawyer brings over 29 years of martial arts experience (2026 and still going!), shaped by a lifetime of training across traditional and modern combat systems.

He began in 1989 under Sensei Eddie Stratton in Shodokan Aikido, a very fluid traditional style using energy and flow, earning his Brown Belt.

Wanting to learn striking he moved into Shodokan Karate with Sensei Terry Tyler from 1993–1997. This style of Karate is very strong and powerful, achieving 4th Kyu.

In 2010 he expanded into Aiki Ju Jitsu where he met Sensei Tim Prescott. Tim managed to put it all together, mixed flow with striking and became a very good friend. Training for nearly a decade and reaching 4th Kyu.

In 2014 Peter wanted to try full contact in a ring, 44 is a little old to start, but, he took on 3 fights in Kickboxing. Since 2014 Peter has trained in Kick-Boxing, K1 with Coach Vikki Burley, boxing with Coach Richard Grigg, continually refining his striking game and eventually earning his Black Belt in Kick-Boxing.

He now trains as a family in Irish Stick Fighting and Escrima under the legendary James Stewart in Taunton, teaches at Strike Martial Arts alongside his friend and club owner Paul Webber, and continues his own Kickboxing development with friend Jack Johns.

Peter is a qualified C‑Class referee with WUMA and a certified martial arts and self‑defence instructor with the CMAA. Still training 4–5 days a week, he remains committed to growth — but for him, the real heart of martial arts is, and always has been, the people you meet and train with. The Combat community that makes the journey incredibly special

DEAD!

In 2023, Peter died! A pulmonary embolism that caused a cardiac arrest, luckily right in A&E. After 20 minutes without a pulse, the Lucas machine broke up the clot and brought him back. He spent 18 days in hospital — just 30 days later, he was back to training and light sparring. That experience didn’t slow him down, now on blood thinners it has changed a few things, BUT, it was the Martial Arts fitness and spirit that made him survive, the same drive now used to build a successful club.

HARRIS SAWYER

Harris Sawyer began martial arts at just six years old, training alongside his dad and starting his journey with Sensei Tim Prescott at Eight Waves Martial Arts, learning Aiki Ju Jitsu. He later joined Mariners K1 under Coach Vikki Burley, where his talent quickly stood out — so much so that when the kids’ class closed, he was invited straight into the adults’ sessions. Harris then expanded his training further by joining his dad at North Devon Kickboxing with Coach Jack Johns, making him a true product of the North Devon martial arts scene, training across three clubs. In 2024 he stepped into national competition for the first time — a chaotic debut that included an accidental spinning‑elbow‑style knockout — but he came back stronger. By 2025, after gaining experience and sharpening his skills, Harris won both the WUMA and WMAC National Kickboxing titles for his age and height. Wanting bigger challenges, he moved into K1 and took 2nd place in the adult category at the ISKA National Championships. Harris continues to compete today and is recognised as a highly talented, technical young fighter with a huge future ahead of him.

RECORD TO DATE

2025 WUMA National Championsips - Gold

Kick-Boxing

2025 WMAC National Championships - Gold

Kick-Boxing

2026 ISKA National Championships - Silver

2026 WUMA European Championships - Gold

Kick-Boxing.