S.H. Hong Taekwondo Academy
Our Goal is Blackbelt
Hablamos Espanol
Welcome To
S.H. Hong Taekwondo Academy
Welcome to S.H. Hong Taekwondo Academy in Santa Maria, California! Our Taekwondo academy is a family-friendly Dojang that focuses on Korean martial arts. We have implemented a hybrid Taekwondo style to adapt while respectfully keeping the legacy of Taekwondo intact. This is a combative style, focusing on teaching students self-defense for real-life application. Our goal for students is to become black belts, but we also focus on the mental side. Students are taught the Five Pillars of Taekwondo (Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, Indomitable Spirit), to build mental fortitude and face your demons. Become your best self at S.H. Taekwondo Academy!
Voted Best Martial Arts School of 2025!
We’re honored to share that S.H. Hong Taekwondo Academy has been voted Best Martial Arts School of 2025 by the local community! This recognition means the world to us because it reflects the impact we strive to make every day-both on and off the mat.
At S.H. Hong Taekwondo Academy, we’re more than just a place to train. We’re a community built on respect, growth, and giving back. From helping students build confidence and self-discipline to organizing events like our holiday toy giveaway, everything we do is rooted in our mission to empower individuals and uplift those around us. Thank you to everyone who supported and believed in what we do. We’re just getting started!
Sign up for our two FREE trial classes!
Get your Taekwondo started today and join us on our free trial classes!
Empowering Students Through
Martial Arts and Community
About Us
We have built a fun but challenging martial arts experience at S.H. Hong Taekwondo Academy. Our students are our main objective at all times. No matter what, we always strive to bring out each student’s very best. Students build up their confidence in themselves and their abilities in our supportive environment. They learn that they get to grow physically and get through the tough mental challenges of life. We help this grow not just on the mat, but with our fun events to build camaraderie. This includes: bringing a friend to class day, bringing a parent to class day, celebrating honor roll students, holiday events, and more.
We also believe in giving back. Last Christmas, we organized a toy giveaway alongside other great local businesses for the local community to help bring joy to families in need. Everything we do, on the mat and beyond, is for our students and community to thrive at S.H. Hong Taekwondo Academy!
History
Our beginning started with our founder, Grandmaster Soon Ho Hong. He opened our doors in 1991, following in his father’s footsteps, who was one of the catalysts for bringing Taekwondo into the Olympics. S.H. Hong Taekwondo Academy’s current owner, Ramon Gomez, began training with Grandmaster at 12 years old after beginning Karate at 5. Ramon has seen the academy grow throughout the years. Ramon’s vast experience in other martial arts, such as kickboxing, allows him to bring in different skill sets, backgrounds, and perspectives. Taking over in 2024, Ramon has kept our Taekwondo classes a hybrid style of new school and traditional, focusing on true self-defense. Ramon passes down his lesson to never underestimate how strong you really are and how much you can endure.
View Our Class Schedule
Find the perfect time to kickstart your Taekwondo journey with our convenient class times!
Meet the Faces Behind
S.H. Hong Taekwondo Academy
Our team of instructors works tirelessly to make S.H. Hong Taekwondo Academy, the best Santa Maria Taekwondo Academy there is. Everyone is a competitor in their trait, providing a unique set of skills and perspective to the mat. Each instructor has practiced martial arts since childhood, and wants to provide that life changing opportunity they’ve experienced to our students.
Ramon Gomez Sr.
Owner and Head Instructor
Justine Gervacio
Sah Bum Nim
Ramon Gomez III
Junior Instructor
Esmeralda Ortiz
Junior Instructor
Jesus Nuno Vera
Junior Instructor
Efren Hernandez
Junior Instructor
Aaron Hernandez
Junior Instructor
Learn More About Our
Programs
S.H. Hong Taekwondo Academy offers strong Taekwondo classes for all age groups. Our Taekwondo classes are split between Tiny Tigers (4-7), Big Kids’ Taekwondo (8-13), and Teens/Adult Taekwondo (14+). Our Taekwondo classes emphasize combative training, allowing students to develop self-defense skills to stop your opponent in real-life situations. Sign up for the right class for you and your family and join a Taekwondo academy that will help you on and off the mat!
Tiny Tigers (4-7 years old)
Our Tiny Tigers program is built to help your younger children kick off their training journeys. The Taekwondo classes are playful and energetic to keep the kids focused and engaged. At the same time, we begin the process of teaching them how to deal with their own body mechanics, improving motor skills.
Big Kids’ Taekwondo (5-12 years old)
As our students grow past the Tiny Tigers program, we place a higher emphasis on the fundamentals. Our Big Kids’ Taekwondo classes become the place where students become stronger in their technique and self-defense abilities. Our hybrid style teaches them to stop their opponent but also furthers the mental journey of growth and self-improvement.
Teens/Adult Taekwondo (13+)
Our Teens/Adults Taekwondo classes continue on the fundamentals learned in Big Kids’ Taekwondo. Students continue to engage in combative training to improve self-defense while we emphasize cardio based training. This provides a full circle experience to become your best self on and off the mat.
Advanced/Black Belt Classes
Our Advanced/Black Belt classes are designed to help students grow to even further heights. We focus on advanced self-defense tactics and a strong emphasis on cardio health, with an emphasis on true self-defense. At this level we emphasize techniques such as takedowns, submissions, elbow and knee strikes, and joint manipulation.
Read about our team!
Go look at our instructors and see what makes them the best group around!
What Our Parents Are Saying
We have built a family-friendly environment for everyone to prosper in at S.H. Hong Taekwondo Academy. Our hybrid style of true self-defense Taekwondo blended with a culture of growth makes the experience beneficial for all our students. And don’t just take our word for it. Look at what our students have to say about what makes S.H. Hong Taekwondo Academy special!
“I like the ethics, responsibility, and attention placed individually with every child. Jesus has learned to be more confident and it shows with those around him.”
“I like how the dojang has opened up my boys and they are more confident and have developed goals and they look forward to coming every day. “
“Training here is very good. It helps the kids to be physically and mentally. The instructors are very nice to everyone.”
“Every child is included and engaging in class. I would love to thank SH Hong TKD it has saved my child’s life with having an outlet.”
“I enjoy the balance of discipline, respect, and fun. I believe Ramon is highly interested in the development of personal growth as much as he is with skill growth.”
Get in Touch!
S.H. Hong Taekwondo Academy welcomes everyone in Santa Maria and those nearby, including: Guadalupe, Lompoc, Nipomo, and Arroyo Grande. We are located across from the old Sears at the mall!