About
About
Flying Dragon Kung Fu Academy is a traditional Choy Lay Fut kung fu school in San Mateo, serving students of all ages across the Peninsula and greater Bay Area. From our youngest Tigers to adult students, every class is built around discipline, self-defense, and effort — taught in a supportive, family- oriented community.
Our youngest students build focus, patience, and discipline through games and activities designed specifically for early childhood — all with a martial arts flair.
Older kids train in a program modeled on our adult curriculum, adapted to their age and ability — shorter forms and safe (non-sharp) weapons like staff and nunchaku. Once a student progresses to an advanced level, they get to learn the full forms and weapons curriculum.
Build real skill at your own pace. Our southern-style Choy Lay Fut program covers:
Traditional hand forms
Multiple weapons forms
Practical self-defense strategies for real-world scenarios
Conditioning in every class
Consistent training translates into improved coordination, reflexes, flexibility, and strength — skills that carry well beyond the studio.
A great stress reliever and a chance to put self-defense technique into practice in a controlled, supervised environment. Check our class schedule for upcoming Kickboxing and Sparring sessions, or ask your instructor when the next one is coming up.
One of the standout benefits of training at a traditional kung fu school is direct exposure to Chinese culture — and Lion Dancing is where that comes alive. Throughout the year, students get hands-on opportunities to learn the art of Lion Dancing, whether as a dancer or an instrumentalist. Keep an eye on our Seminars page for upcoming sessions.
Flying Dragon Kung Fu Academy goes well beyond the traditional curriculum. Throughout the year, students get access to:
Kids' and women's self-defense seminars
Father’s Day workouts
Mother's Day workouts
Summer bootcamps
Special focus seminars
Visiting guest instructors
It’s what keeps our community lively, connected, and accessible to friends and family. Visit our Seminars page or follow us on Instagram for updates.
Test your skills — or your child’s — in front of an audience. Bay Area kung fu competitions run throughout the year, and competing is one of the best ways to build composure and focus under pressure and in front of a large audience. Participation is entirely optional, and advanced students can train specifically for competitions at the school. Ask your instructor about upcoming opportunities.
Celebrate kung fu-style! The Flying Dragon Kung Fu Academy in San Mateo is available to current students for birthday parties. Contact us for details and availability.
Master Felipe Godoy's martial arts journey began at age six with judo, followed by karate and fencing throughout his childhood. In high school, he trained and competed in taekwondo, building a strong foundation across multiple disciplines.
It was in college that he found his true calling in kung fu, first training in northern Praying Mantis style before transitioning to southern Choy Lay Fut style in 1995. That shift sparked a passion that quickly turned into a teaching career alongside his own training.
After earning his degree in Physical Education, Master Godoy started teaching full-time in 1999. His pursuit of martial arts mastery never stopped. He went on to compete in international tournaments across the US, China, Brazil, Venezuela, and Chile, in both forms and full-contact sanda. He dedicated 15 years to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, while also studying Tai Chi, Muay Thai, and Escrima.
With decades of cross-disciplinary training and teaching experience, Master Godoy brings a rare depth of knowledge and versatility to every class he teaches.