Arlan "Salty Dog" Sanford

Well here is my life story (at least in martial arts)

I started training about 11 or 12 years ago primarily in a sort of cobbled version of FMA with a little of the JKD stuff for empty hand. About 9 years ago I started with Chai, and in '88 was certified to teach Muay Thai under Chai. In the mean time I had done a little training with Tuhon Gaje when he was in Albuquerque, maybe 6 or 7 months of erratic training. About this time (88) I met Eric and Marc at a tournament in San Jose. I got to fight Eric in the open class. After the fights Eric invited me to come visit. I went in Jan. of 89 for 8 days. We went to the park and fought almost as soon as I got off the train, and we fought every night for literally hours for 8 days. What a way to start! We got together every 2 or 3 months after that sort, of pre Dog Brothers.

I started training with Punong Guro Edgar Sulite about 5 years ago and although I haven't taken all the certifications yet, he has me listed as a intermediate instructor. I have also been with Guro Dan; I am a 5th year apprentice instructor with him. I trained with Chief Dan Medina in Derobio Eskrima and was the last person promoted by Grandmaster Braulio Pedoy before he died, in Hawaii in 92. I am currently a second level red shirt instructor in Derobio. I started training with Ajarn Jason Webster in Krabi Krabong about three years ago. I also trained in Thailand with Arjan Samai at the Buddhai Swan swordfighting school in Bangkok. I will be going back this spring to finish and get my gold sash (Ajarn). I have also trained a little in Old style Muay Thai with Jason and Kevin Jakubs. I have been training the last year with Marcos Gonzales in Machado Jiu Jitsu. Of course I have continued fighting Dog Bros. I teach the stickfighting and I have a class in Thai Martial Arts (Krabi and Old style).