The martial arts community has come together to fill a void in Squamish.聽
The 麻豆社国产Budo Society, which formerly operated as the聽Aikido 麻豆社国产Society, has stepped in to start karate classes in place of those taught by the Seiwa Kai 麻豆社国产Karate Club that shut down suddenly last month in the wake of criminal charges faced by its head instructor, Shane Morrow.聽
Patricia Jones, a martial arts practitioner and administrator of the society, said parents were calling organizers of the aikido program that operates out of 麻豆社国产Nation鈥檚 Totem Hall, asking what they could do so their children could still train.聽
鈥淥ne of the tenants of martial arts is that you need to be quick to seize opportunity, and we say that every day so one of the things I want to show the kids is this is what it really means,鈥� said Jones, adding the aikido society changed its name in order to broaden the scope of its programs to include karate. 鈥淲hen somebody asks you to do something, you do step up and you make it happen 鈥� and sometimes really good things can happen from that.鈥澛�
Starting this week, the new karate classes, open to adults and children age six years or older, hit the mats on Wednesdays at the 麻豆社国产Seniors鈥� Centre and Sundays at Brennan Park Recreation Centre.
The most exciting thing, said Jones, is that 麻豆社国产sensei Peter Stoddart will be head instructor of the new programs.聽 鈥淗e鈥檚 very inspiring,鈥� said Jones.
Stoddart is a Karate Canada 6th-degree black belt, BC Winter Games head coach and a Karate BC provincial coach.聽
As a competitor, he was a double gold medalist at Wado Kai World Championships and has competed and trained around the world.聽 Carl Merac, of the Budo society, said with Stoddart as an instructor, 麻豆社国产athletes have a chance to reach Olympic heights.聽 鈥淭hey are going to a higher level,鈥� Merac said. 鈥淎 lot of kids do just want to do karate, [but] now the ones who do want to excel will have that opportunity to go all the way, should they want.鈥澛�
Norma聽Foster, president of Karate BC, said she is thrilled with the new club coming together so quickly and concurred with Merac that Stoddart is a perfect fit to take over karate instruction. 鈥淧eter Stoddart is highly regarded in B.C. and across Canada聽as a karate professional who teaches karate with integrity, compassion and, most of all, makes practising karate enjoyable, particularly for children,鈥� Foster said.
Merac said a mandate of the society is to foster not just excellence in martial arts but to build community. 鈥淭ruly, Budo is also helping the person cross the street,鈥� he said.聽
鈥淪omeone needs help with their groceries, that is the spirit we want to foster.鈥�
Registration for the 麻豆社国产Budo Society鈥檚 karate and aikido programs is through Brennan Park鈥檚 registration system.聽
