Funakoshi instructors and students have employed Skype to learn from masters across the world.

Warrnambool head instructor Frank McKenzie said a bunch of local martial artists were using the video link-ups to prepare for their black belt grading exams in March.

More than 30 team leaders from Camperdown, Allansford, Hamilton and Warrnambool spent the weekend perfecting foundation moves in classes delivered by instructors from Germany and Canada over the internet.

Sensei Marius Bouwer, of Germany, kicked off the two-day program with a lesson in karate basics based on the international beginner syllabus.

On Sunday, the south-west group was treated to a Skype session with original founder of the Funakoshi style, Shihan Edwin Ward of Canada.

The ninth dan black belt drilled more foundation basics during the two-hour video link-up.

McKenzie said south-west Funakoshi groups kept in frequent contact with Ward after changing affiliation to Funakoshi International last year.

He explained the Funakoshi style incorporated the science of kinetics and bio-mechanics into the sequential learning system. “The opportunity of training regularly with the original founder of Funakoshi Karate International has been an excellent way to improve karate standards,” McKenzie said.