Grandmaster Ip Shui

20 December, 1913 - 27 April, 2004

Grandmaster Ip Shui, became the successor of the Chow Gar Praying Mantis kung fu in 1942 from his teacher Great Grandmaster Lau Soei. Grandmaster Ip Shui, was born in 1913 and started his training with Lau Soei when he was 21 years old in 1934. Before young Ip Shui met Lau Soei, his only experience in martial arts was what he had learnt from his father, which was a form of Shaolin martial art his Grandfather had learnt in the Shaolin temple. Even though Ip Shui trained earnestly he was seen as an outsider by the other students of Lau Soei. This was because he was not Hakka Chinese. However Lau Soei ignored this problem and trained with him personally.

Years later when Lau Soei became ill, Ip Shui looked after him during the 2 years of illness before his death and in 1942 just prior to Lau Soei's death Grandmaster Ip Shui was given the title of Head of the Southern Praying Mantis kung fu system by Lau Soei. Ip Shui became one of the most respected martial artists in Hong Kong after defeating many famous kung fu Masters in bare hand challenges. This was due to the fact that they tried to dislodge him from his position as the inheritor of the Chow Gar Praying Mantis kung fu system. He went on to become very famous and establish this Southern Mantis art further. He taught numerous people in Hong Kong as well as world wide.

In Hong Kong Grandmaster Ip Shui ran a small Dit Dar clinic in Kowloon city, treating people with fractures, sprains etc.
He also treated people with a special Skill called 'Wafu' that was taught to him by his Grandfather who lived at the Shaolin Monastery. This skill is unique, no medicines are required, just prayers, a brush and water. He has cured many from those who could not walk to cancer sufferers and more. He was one of the last to do this special skill in Hong Kong.