Todd Group Testimonials

Testimonials

Note: The included testimonials are of an historic nature and do not include current service or restricted information and may have been edited of personal or non-related subject material.

Kobus Huisamen - Will Hinchcliff - Colonel Rex Applegate - Charles Nelson
Lawrence Jordan - Captain Ben Mangels - Tom Gordon

Kobus Huisamen

My name is Kobus Huisamen. I'm a former paratrooper in the South African Defence Force and I've also made a living as a security officer and professional fighter.

My service in the Parabats saw me do urban COIN duty in 1990-1991. I ran my own business in my student days and did mostly bouncing and venue security. This, I did for 9 years on and off. I fought professionally as kickboxer and MMA fighter and was South African Heavyweight champion; competed in Asia, beating Japanese and Korean champions. My record in kickboxing is 7 fights 7 wins, 5KO; and MMA 1 win, 4 losses, 1 KO. I also coached and seconded K-1 and Pride fighters.

In my life, I saw confrontations of all sorts, spilling into violence of all sorts. With God's protection, I was never hurt and never lost a fight in the street or bar. I trained for 3-5 hours every day while I fought and bounced.

In 2004, I was looking for something different and earnestly looked for something that would let me train less, but be effective not only for me against multiple assailants, but also something that I can teach my family and be effective for them also.

I stumbled upon the Todd System, lead by Geoff (Tank) Todd, a trainer of elite military units, private military contractors, security officers and selected members of the public. In 2005, I trained with him and was totally shocked at the brutality and simplicity of his system. I never saw something like this in either the military or meanest night clubs. It is a fierce system and depending on the force at which you apply, can either be a peacemaker or killer. Again, the great surprise was its simplicity. It efficiency was evident. This system gave me the peace of mind I was looking for. I can apply these techniques well into my old age; since it does not require the kind of physical conditioning that I was subjecting my body to at that time.

I love the system and respect it. It made me even more efficient in a threatening situation than when I was as a professional fighter. Of course, I would only speak for myself, regardless of the competent military and private contractors that he trains, one can only speak for oneself.

Furthermore, my time spent in Dunedin was a great experience. I walked away with not only a deep respect for Tank and his group, but also a new-found love for New Zealand and its people. They are like Todd's fighting system – a no-nonsense-and-straight-to-the-point bunch.

-- Kobus Huisamen

Will Hinchcliff was a professional Footballer, NFL & CFL Wide Reciever, for L.A. Raiders, Washington Redskins, and B.C. Lions. He is a top track and field star in New Zealand. He represented New Zealand in the 1990 Commonwealth Games, competed in both Winter and Summer World Championships, and competed in 100 meters, long jump and bobsled. He is a mechanical engineer by trade.

John is CEO for Primary Heart Care, the first company in New Zealand to offer the only non-invasive way to over come Heart Disease offering FDA-approved EECP®, enhanced external counter-pulsation therapy.

Will was a top 10 percenter on the annual international combative course and test phase at the Todd Group headquarters 2008.

Personally I would thank you for your time and effort in making it possible for me to participate in you 1st Phase program. I am truly greatful for the positive outcome I have received after completing your 1st Phase Course. It was a real opportunity to test myself against other worthy exponents using your Self defense combat system. I could not have achieved this without your expertise. I have not been through any other self defense program, so I really appreciate learning the skills and CQB principles during my 1st Phase course training. I am much better for the experience. I feel I have accomplished a lot and now I have a whole new level of awareness.

I look forward to being a positive role model as part of your organization as an exponent and in my capacity as a Company Director.

I would also like to say that your instructors helped make the course as enjoyable as possible. Everything ran smoothly and your instructors clearly demonstrated what was expected of us throughout the course. I thank all your instructors, for their time, effort and coaching over the week. Last but not least I would like to say, thanks to your wife and daughter and their team for preparing our meals like clockwork. They catered for everyone's needs very well.

-- Will Hinchcliff

Much has been written and said about the military CQB practiced and promoted by Geoff Todd, but what of the man behind it all. I could say all the usual things but what weight would they carry just on their own with nothing to support them? I would like to illustrate what the man behind the practice is really like.

I first met Geoff around 1989. My wife and I were venturing overseas and we both needed upskilling (for me) and basics (for my wife). After some one-on-one tuition I realised that although I had undergone CQB training in the Army many years before much of what Geoff had to impart was quite different to and in many ways safer and more efficient than what I knew. He basically had to re-programme me!

During the course of these lessons, Geoff found that I had previously served in a special operations group and expressed his desire to be able to one day demonstrate his abilities to and eventually be accepted to the Military Elite. For Geoff to get there was not easy.

After completing his self defence course I continued to attend his CQB club nights and during the ensuing months I decided to put his name forward for consideration. Little did he know he had been under going scrutiny and my own personal selection criteria for a some time (we laugh about it now). I watched, listened and spoke with others until I was certain that Geoff the person was in my view suitable to be introduced.

I became aware that he practiced the tenets that are laid down as foundation stones for Special Forces members. Namely:

Pursuit of excellence:
Geoff never rested on his laurels always researching and developing more efficient and innovative techniques.

High standard of discipline:
His own self discipline and that of his students was paramount.

No distinction of class:
Geoff treated everybody equally-with respect.

Sense of humour and humility:
No matter how good he was at his craft, and he was really good, he was quietly confident and never boastful.

Eventually I contacted an old friend and ex-colleague who was still serving and, because he was in a position of authority, invited me to present Geoff for an introduction and eventually a demonstration. As an aside, never volunteer to partner Geoff in a demonstration when he is trying to impress someone; the effects are felt for days!
Following this, further scrutiny took place and both Geoff the person and Geoff the instructor were invited to be part of the training process.

This is Geoff the person, a man humble by nature, a man whose integrity to himself and others is unflinching and unquestionable. This is the man I know and stand by. His craft? That his CQB is accepted at all levels of the Military speaks for itself.

Tom Gordon
Ex Special Operations Soldier and Vietnam Vet