Chief Instructor Master Neal Hardy

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Grand Master Neal Hardy, the Chief Instructor of Fire Dragon Australia, commenced training in Pai Lum Kung Fu at the age of 28 in 1982. He was inspired by ideals of striving, helping others, and self-mastery, but when he started, asked all the wrong questions. In time, he learned how better to seek knowledge, and gained some understanding of himself. From a man who was not at peace with himself, in any sense, he grew to like himself, and to make his dreams come true. In time, he learned enough about the Way to teach others, and became an instructor, although he had not started training with that aim.

One dream he had was to return to Australia, where he had grown up, and share with others what the Way of the White Dragon had given him. Like many dreams, it took a while to become a reality, but in February 1995, he opened formal classes after some years of teaching privately. He acknowledges that establishing and maintaining a martial arts school is the greatest and most demanding challenge he has faced, but welcomes it. It is time to repay the debt to all those who helped him understand - and to give back to the Dragon.

He is still actively pursuing knowledge in the Way, learning from his Instructor Pai Shinzan, Thomas D. St Charles, Grandmaster of the Shaolin White Dragon Society, from other martial artists, both in the Pai Family, and in other styles, and of course, from his students.

Grand Master Hardy was given 10^th Higher level in the Shaolin White Dragon Society by his late teacher Pai Shinzan (who was head of that Pai Lum Family Art) in 2011, and was given the name Pai Lung Tsai Hsia by his teacher, who recognised him as 3^rd Generation adopted Grandson of the late Grandmaster Daniel Pai in 2003. On 4.7.2015, Bai, Xue Long recognised Grand Master Hardy as 7^th Higher Level in Fire Dragon Florida.

Grand Master Hardy has accepted the task of building the Way of the White Dragon in Australia - of building the Australian Pai Lum Family.

Grand Master Hardy holds Shodan (Black Belt) rank in Shotokan Karate. He is a full member of Kung Fu Wushu ACT (the State Sporting Organisation) and a Life Member of Kung Fu Wushu Australia. He is a qualified Level 1 Coach under the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme of the Australian Coaching Council.

Pai Family Lineage

Grand Master Hardy commenced training with Sifu, later Master Murray Beatts, who at the time was a student of (then) Master Thomas St Charles, Pai Shinzan in November 1981. He attended courses by (then) Master St Charles and was graded to 1st Level Black Belt by him on 13 May 1986.

On the retirement of Master Beatts from the martial arts, then Sifu Hardy approached Pai Shinzan, who had become Grandmaster of the Shaolin White Dragon Branch of the Pai Family, to accept him as his student. Grandmaster St Charles did accept him.

He was promoted to 4th Level Master by Grandmaster St Charles in 2003, and in 2005 was promoted to 5th Level Master Teacher, and awarded the rank of Grandson. He is thus 3rd generation Grandson, with the name Pai Lung Tsai
Hsia. In October 2009, Grandmaster St Charles took the unusual step of promoting Master Hardy to 7th Higher Level. And on 14.11.2011, Pai Shinzan recognised Master Hardy as Australian Grand Master in the Shaolin White Dragon Society – 10^th Level.

Grand Master Hardy has also trained with the following Pai Lum Family members (though does not claim exhaustive training):

• Grand Master Sanders (3rd Generation under Pai Shinzan, and Grand Master in Shaolin White Dragon)
• Master Harris (3rd Generation under Pai Shinzan)
• Long Shr Fred Schmitz (Sen Chuan) (dc) – 2nd Generation
• Long Shr Shaun Dick (Bai Xue Long) – 2nd Generation, who has been most generous with his time and knowledge
• Long Shr Steve Matthews (Pai Shao Li) - 2nd Generation
• Master William Luciano [3rd Generation under Pai Chin Lin and Pai Bok Hok (Pai Pai He)]
• Grand Master Geoff Guiffre (Pai Chian Li) (dc) – 2^nd Generation
• Master Cosmo Rusch (Bai Hou Lung) (dc) – 3^rd Generation

You can contact Grand Master Hardy via e-mail at the address

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