Sensei Colin Aitken 4th Dan (Black Belt) and Senior Club Coach, has been practicing judo for the last 35 years. Starting his training at Meadowbank and the Edinburgh Club, he gained his first black belt under the direction of Sensei John Barrington at Lasswade. Colin is a founder member of Peebles Judo Club establishing the club in 1999 with Richard Gordon, 1st Kyu. Colin has competed throughout his career and has in the past been Scottish Junior Champion, British Police Champion and a British squad player. He rates his most prestigious win of his career at the World Police and Fire Games in Barcelona 2003, when he won a bronze medal.  He has competed regularly and was the 2010 under 90Kg British Police Masters Champion. Colin is a serving police officer, and has conducted training in self-defence, including close protection, within the police force. He is married to Tania, club secretary, and they have two children, Katie and Tom, who are in the younger junior class. Colin has two older sons, one of whom, Pascal, 1st Kyu, trains in France. Colin is also a BASI qualified Ski Instructor and PADI Divemaster.