Our Instructors
Chris Suboreau
(retired instructor)
Chris Suboreau an Oakland California native, started his combat training at a very early age through his father Pete, who was a local boxer in the late 1930’s. Pete Suboreau boxed out of Eddy St Gym which was owned by bare knuckle prize fighter Dan Sugar. Back in those days Pete was best friends with an early 20th century Flyweight Champion named Sammy Lee. In the mid 40’s Pete was asked to do a couple exhibitions with the champ. By this time Pete was well seasoned in the game and the two fighters put on a great show. Years passed, Pete hung up the gloves but was able to obtain trade secrets and world class training methods, which he would then later pass on to his son Chris Suboreau. This would set a high standard in Chris’s life and build a solid base for other fighting styles he would pursue.
At age nine Chris began his martial arts training under world renowned Jiu Jitsu Master Wally Jay, spending the next 6 years of his childhood learning small circle Jiu Jitsu. Inspired by the classical arts, Chris dedicated the next several decades of his life to Chinese martial arts, training under respected names like Wing Chung Master Bill Fong and eventually landing himself a black belt under legendary Grandmaster Al Novak, the last surviving tenth-degree Kajukenbo Master. By 1985 Chris was granted an Advanced Level Certificate from Grandmaster Al Novak, a rare and honorable achievement.
Throughout the years boxing was a key element in Chris Suboreau’s development. In the late 70’s Chris was a regular attendee at the Hayward Aztlan Boxing Club and Left Hook Boxing Gym, the stables for many elite fighters and trainers of the era. Training alongside seasoned amateurs and professionals, through arguably the sport's most competitive era, helped shape and mold Chris into a technical, hard contact fighter, where he was able to combine elements of traditional martial arts with classic technical boxing.
By 1980 Chris became good friends with Ed Hart, an ex pro boxer from the 40’s and Non Classical Gung Fu Founder Jesse Glover, who were both former students of Bruce Lee. Now training and sharing knowledge with some of the best and most widely recognized self defense experts in the world, would create opportunities to train under other renowned combat experts like Larry Hartsell, Daniel Insanto, Richard Bustillo, and even the great World Champion Kickboxer Joe Lewis.
In July of 1981 Chris met Eskrima Master Sonny Umpad, who developed the art known as Visayan Style Corto Kadena & Larga Mano Eskrima. Fully immersed in all aspects of combat training, Chris began a new journey training privately under master eskrimador, Maestro Sonny Umpad. Through the years their friendship and bond grew close and lasted till the unfortunate passing of Sonny Umpad on August 24 of 2006.
Over the last several decades, Chris Suboreau has become a greatly respected name among many elite fighters and combat experts, occasionally providing workshops and seminars in empty hand combat and Eskrima. He’s also known for his appearance and written chapter in the book, “Sonny Umpad’s Eskrima, The Life and Teachings of a Filipino Martial Arts Master”, by George M. Yore. (Link for book)
Today Chris is a retired Instructor but occasionally will take on private students in Santa Rosa California, where he currently resides. For lesson inquiries, please contact us at: goldmountainboxing@gmail.com
Chris receives the Advanced Level certificate from Grandmaster Al Novak 1985 witnessed by Steve Magness
A young Chris in rare form at the East Wind Gung Fu Club
Chris & Steve Magness
A Young Chris & Mike
Here’s a rare photo of Mike, second from left top row, and Chris, standing next to Mike, for a group picture of the Gung Fu/Street Self Defense club. Standing to the right of Chris wearing the army shirt is Frank Zarich; former US soldier, head Gung Fu instructor with Chris & Mike.
