About Us

Mission and Values

Our mission is to guide students on a journey of personal growth through disciplined martial arts training. We teach practical self-defense skills rooted in responsibility and restraint, while instilling core values such as respect, discipline, self-control, and leadership.

We believe the pursuit of a Black Belt is more than just a physical goal--it's a transformative rite of passage that builds identity, confidence, and purpose. Whether or not students achieve the Black Belt rank, their time at Seaside Dojo equips them with the mindset and life skills to grow into strong, capable individuals--ready to lead, serve, and thrive in every aspect of their lives.

Master Instructor / Self Protection Specialist

Sensei Ted Dabbs has been actively involved in martial arts for nearly 30 years. He is the founder (2009) & head instructor of Seaside Dojo School of Martial Arts, located at 17543 Nassau Commons Blvd., Lewes, DE. He is a strong advocate for personal protection and believes strongly that martial arts is a pathway to self awareness and physical well-being.

Sensei Ted holds black belts in Tae Kwon Do and HeihoShinDo styles of martial arts, and achieved a master’s degree in exercise science. He has taught physical education and health, coached at division one universities, and worked as a personal trainer. He has provided self-defense instruction for area schools, realtors, medical staff, women’s groups, and kids camps. He has worked as a private investigator, served as a security specialist for large venues and serves on his church guardian team.

Ted assists Delaware Tactical as a concealed carry instructor & combatives trainer. He trains unarmed individuals how to protect themselves when facing a violent encounter using principles of awareness, de-escalation and combatives.

Education

M.A., Exercise Science with master’s thesis, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, 1991

B.A., Physical Education and Health, Secondary Teacher Certification and Coaching, Graceland College, Lamoni, IA, 1988

Certifications & Memberships

USCCA Concealed Carry & Home Defense Certified Instructor
NRA Range Safety Officer
NRA Basic Firearms Instructor
NRA Lifetime Member
Member Bridgeville Rifle & Pistol Club, Bridgeville, Delaware
Member Naticoke Sportsmans Club, Seaford, Delaware
CCDW Delaware & Utah
Certified Adrenal Stress Scenario Instructor, FAST Defense
CPR, American Red Cross
Neuro-Linguistic Programming: Certified Master Practitioner

Firearms Training

Advanced Handgun & Rifle, 8 hours
Defensive Pistol/Carbine Course, 16 hours
Force-on-force training, 20 hours
Advanced Handgun 8 hours
Advanced Carbine Class, 16 hours

Personal

Athletics have included college football, track and field decathlon, full contact kickboxing.
Hobbies include spending time at the shooting range, church ministry, scuba diving, hiking, camping, playing guitar, working out and staying healthy