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The SWKKF offers classes based on the teachings of World Champion, Bill “Superfoot” Wallace. Classes are conducted by Superfoot Certified Instructors , Sensei Darren Humphries and Sensei Neil Prime. These are on-line classes (via zoom ) and run on Friday nights from 5:00pm Mountain Time / 7:00pm Eastern Time. It is advantageous to have a heavy bag or standup bag for targeting. A private link will be provided for our club members upon request. You will also be given a link to our private Shintani Karate Superfoot Schools Facebook page. To request the link or to find out more about the classes, please contact: Sensei Darren Humphries: dhumphries@shintani.ca Sensei Neil Prime: nprime@shintani.ca

Wado Kai Wado is a Japanese karate style founded in 1939 by Master Hironori Otsuka. It combines Master Otsuka's early experience with classical jujutsu (also known as jujitsu) with the shotokan karate he learned as a student of Gichin Funakoshi's. Wado, meaning the "way of peace/harmony", is one of the four major styles of karate in Japan. It, perhaps, is the purest form of karate-do (the way of the empty hands). Trained in classical bujutsu (the techniques of the samurai), Master Otsuka applied this outlook and experience to his teachings. Some of the harsher resistive or hard contact elements of sparring technique, typical of many karate styles, are not present in Wado. Master Otsuka rejected hardening certain parts of the body, such as hand conditioning, as useless preparation. Hanshi Masaru Shintani was one of Master Otsuka's senior students. At the time of his death, he was the head of Wado Kai karate for North America. The aim of Wado karate is not merely perfection of the physical techniques of self-defense, but the development of a mind that is tranquil yet alive, able to react intuitively to any situation. In Wado, as skill and knowledge are acquired through training and concentrated effort, the student is expected to develop inner strength and calmness of character, as well as the virtues of self-control, respect for others, and true humility. Karate-do for Master Otsuka was primarily a spiritual discipline. Basic techniques - punching, kicking, blocking, striking with open hand, joint twisting, and trapping techniques - kata (a sequence of techniques done in certain order against imaginary opponents), and prearranged and free style sparring comprise the training foundation of this style. Equally fundamental to Wado is taisabaki, body shifting to avoid the full brunt of an attack, a technique derived from Japanese swordsmanship. Kumite (sparring) is usually judged on a point system. One referee and four corner judges determine which techniques are given a point. In free sparring, there is no contact allowed to the head, below the waist except for foot sweeps, or to the spine. Only light to medium contact is allowed to the torso. Attacks to the head and torso can all score points in a tournament. Therefore, Wado karate-ka tend to fight with explosive, close movements with an emphasis on well-controlled techniques.

Committees Finance Viability Member Investment Service Excellence Legacy COMMITTEES WANTED: We need new Committee members to help us build the SWKKF into a leading, global karate organization. Come and join us. Your contribution would be greatly appreciated. A Finance Viability Senate Advisor: Denis Labbé Chairperson: James Freeman & Melanie Camirand Budget Sensei James Freeman Sensei Melanie Camirand Sensei Denis Labbe Audit Sensei James Freeman Sensei Melanie Camirand Sensei Denis Labbe Finance Expenditure Sensei Brad Cosby Sensei Brian Chmay Sensei Leona Dolling Grants and Fundraising Sensei Sylvia King Sensei Bret North Sensei Dan Hill B Member Investment Student Proficiency Committee Sensei Ron Mattie ‐ Senate Advisor Curriculum Chairperson: Ron Mattie Bunkai Sensei Kris Reynolds Sensei James Freeman Sensei Darren Humphries Sensei Craig McCleary Sensei Craig Pettie Kata Sensei Ron Mattie ** Alternate members for each project Shintani Kata Sensei Shelley McGregor Sensei Sanford Dewitt Kumite Sensei Neil Prime Sensei Peter Avino Sensei Brad Cosby Self Defense Sensei Darren Marshall Sensei Mike Rust Shindo Sensei Jim Atkinson Sensei Kris Reynolds Sensei Darwin Sherman Sensei Craig McCleary Grading Chairperson: Darren Humphries Sensei Denis Labbé Sensei Ron Mattie Sensei Jim Atkinson Sensei Neil Prime Sensei Michel Gosselin Sensei Shelley McGregor Sensei Brian Julien Sensei Kris Reynolds Affiliate Chairperson: Darren Humphries Sensei Denis Labbe Sensei Ron Mattie Judging / Training Chairperson: Rod Philip Sensei Scott Knowles Sensei David Demude Sensei Shannon DeForest Sensei Ron Mattie National Tournament Chairperson: Anne Readhead Sensei Rod Philip Sensei Tom Foster Sensei Katrina Marques Sensei Brandon Marques Sensei Karen Atkinson Sensei Denis Labbé Tournament Chairperson: Kevin Bowes Sensei Blaine Beemer Sensei David Brunarski Sensei Kevin Dyck Sensei Tom Foster Sensei Colin Frans Sensei Kelsey Mramor Sensei Anne Readhead Sensei Rod Philip Certified Tournament Trainers Sensei Denise Baxter Sensei Blaine Beemer Sensei David Brunarski Sensei Heather Fidyk Sensei Tom Foster Sensei Michel Gosselin Sensei Darren Humphries Sensei Crystal Johnson Sensei Craig McCleary Sensei Shelley McGregor Sensei Daniel McKee Sensei Lauren Fast Sensei Cal Pettet Sensei Rod Philip Sensei Anne Readhead Sensei Kris Reynolds Regional Mentorship Chairperson: Bill Hynes Sensei Lauren Fast Sensei Alex Arndt Sensei Jonathan Scott Sensei Cal Pittet Sensei Megan Bond Sensei Peter Avino Sensei Joanne Johnson Central Purchasing Chairperson: Neil Prime Sensei Denis Labbé C. Service Excellence Sensei Jim Atkinson - Senate Advisor Marketing & Communications Chairperson: Elliott Knowles Sensei Alice Pinto Sensei Shannon DeForest Sensei Kevin Dyck Sensei Randy Schiller Sensei Yvon Lebel Harmonizer Team Lead: Alice Pinto-Lebel Sensei Yvon Lebel Sensei Kevin Dyck Scholarship Team Lead: Kelsey Mramor Sensei Brian Julien Sensei Blaine Beemer Sensei Laszlo Voszi REACH Team Lead: Beverly Beuermann-King Sensei Bernadine Jugdutt Sensei Scott Knowles Technology Team Lead: Darren Humphries Sensei Kris Reynolds Sensei Kevin Bowes Sensei John Mealin Sensei Yvon Lebel Sensei Doug Taylor Website Team Lead: Darren Humphries Sensei Kris Reynolds Sensei Kevin Bowes Sensei John Mealin Sensei Yvon Lebel Sensei Doug Taylor Governance & Strategic Planning Team Lead: Beverly Beuermann-King Sensei Brian Julinen Sensei Rod Philip Sensei John Mealin Sensei Cynthia Brocklebank Succession Planning Team Lead: Denis Labbé Reference Manual Team Lead: Jim Atkinson Sensei Neil Prime Sensei Beverly Beuermann-King Standards & Ethics Contact Jim Atkinson (jatkinson@shintani.ca ) Constitution & Bylaw Team Lead: Jim Atkinson D. Legacy Team Lead: Sensei Yvon Lebel Legacy Team Lead: Yvon Lebel Sensei Bruce Perkins Sensei Brad Cosby Sensei Ron Mattie Sensei Rick Leveille Sensei Brian Chmay Sensei Neil Prime Sensei Darren Humphries Lineage Team Lead: Yvon Lebel Sensei Ron Mattie Sensei Neil Prime Sensei Darren Humphries Archives Team Lead: Neil Prime Sensei Darren Humphries Shintani Team Team Lead: Colin Frans Sensei Michel Gosselin Sensei Brodie Hicks

Shindo A Dream. A Staff. A Legacy Born. In the '70s, Sensei Shintani dreamed of facing a blade with only a short stick. That vision sparked Shindo - a powerful fusion of Wado-Ryu philosophy and weapon-based technique with a 36-inch staff. History & Development Shindo Gradings Principles & Concepts New Shindo Katas Future Of Shindo Incorporating Shindo Seishin No Shindo Shindo Tasks & Goals Download the Shindo Reference Manual

Photos - Sensei Jim Atkinson

(519) 909-9438 < Back Jarvis Wado Kai Karate Club Sensei Marco Reyes (519) 909-9438 marcoreyes@gmail.com Address 19 Church Street, Jarvis, ON, Canada Jarvis, ON, Canada Practice Times Thursday Family Class - 6-7:30 pm (Eastern Daylight Time) Thursday Advance Class - 7:30-9:00 pm (Eastern Daylight Time) Club Website or Social Media Notes Previous Map Next

(780) 728-8939 < Back Edson Wado Kai Karate Sensei Chris Marler / Sensei Sylvie Fontain (780) 728-8939 chris@tropicalsun.ca Address 831 56th Street, Edson, AB, Canada Edson, AB, Canada Practice Times Monday/Wednesday - 5:30-7:30 pm (Mountain Daylight Time) Club Website or Social Media Notes Previous Map Next

< Back Bruce Perkins - Kudan (9th Dan) Senate Advisor Sensei Bruce began his karate career in Wawa, Ontario in 1974 under the instruction of Sensei Danny McCoy, Sensei Rick Leveille, and Sensei Luigi Troverello. In 1979 Sensei Bruce moved to Southern Ontario where he continued his training under Sensei Shintani. In July 1979 he was graded to Shodan. Sensei Bruce founded the SWKKF Scholarship fund in May of 1990. Sensei Bruce was a member of the original National Team which was picked by Hanshi Shintani in 1996. He has been involved with the Shindo Development Committee and has also participated in the production of the SWKKF Kata and Shindo Instructional videos. Sensei Bruce received the rank of Shichidan, dated September 15th, 2007 and Hachidan, dated in 2014 from Otsuka Sensei Sr. of the All Japan Karate-do Federation, prior of his death, at the request of Hanshi Sensei. Subsequently was awarded Hachidan (8th Dan) in August 2013, and Kudan (9th Dan) in December 2020 from the SWKKF Senate. Sensei Bruce currently resides in Simcoe, Ontario with his wife Irene. His son's Dustin and Derek live in Western Canada. For a more detailed biography of Sensei Bruce Perkins, as well as some personal stories of his training with Hanshi Shintani please read the article in the July 2007 Harmonizer. bperkins@shintani.ca +1 (519) 429-5628

< Back Neil Prime - Hachidan (8th Dan) Director Sensei Neil Prime began training karate under Hanshi Shintani in 1978, started the St. Catharines Wado Kai Karate Club with Sensei Mike Bannister in the fall of 1987, was graded to shodan in Feb 1988 and to shodan in shindo in 1992. As a brown belt Sensei Neil started training outside his own club and was a regular at the Grimsby club (Sensei Brad Cosby and Sensei Brian Chmay) and in Welland, ON. (Sensei Peter Ciolfi and Sensei Ron Mattie). Sensei Neil also trained in many open seminars and camps. From 1991 to 1995 he trained and competed in kickboxing. “I trusted that my karate fundamentals were strong, but wanted to put them to the test of competing in a full contact environment. I found that by having a more structured base that I had a big advantage over most competitors." - Sensei Neil Prime From 2004 to 2007 Sensei Neil was and alternate team member and manager of the SWKKF National Team. Sensei Neil remained active during the new team selection process and has assisted in coaching as requested. Over the years, Sensei Neil also trained with the USA Shintani Wado group (Sensei Dr. Bob Graham) and through that group formed the Shintani Combative Group (Sensei Toby Wolfe, Sensei Bill Sorvelli, Sensei Peter Avino, Sensei Mark Flaherty and Sensei Dan Moore). In 2011 they trained the Special Warfare Medical Group, Fort Bragg, N.C. introducing Shintani Wado Kai Karate and Shindo to the elite forces. Prior to the forming of the Senate, Sensei Neil was an active member of the Shintani Executive Board and participated as one of the initial members of the Tournament Committee, the Editor of the Harmonizer, held the position of Niagara Regional Representative and still holds an active position on the Grading Committee. Sensei Neil is also the co-author in the development of Strategic Sparring Clinics with Sensei Brad Cosby, Sensei Peter Avino and Sensei Walt Fast. Sensei Neil was awarded Hachidan (8th Dan) from the SWKKF senate in September 2022. nprime@shintani.ca +1 (647) 463-5828

< Back Ron Mattie - Kudan (9th Dan) Chief Instructor Sensei Mattie started Wado-Kai Karate in the yearly 1970’s at the Welland Wado-Kai Karate Club. He was influenced to join by Sensei Denis Labbé. Sensei Labbé and Sensei Mattie along with the late Sensei Peter Ciolfi were among three of the top competitors through out the 70‘s and 80’s. Sensei Mattie taught many of Hanshi Shintani’s monthly black belt classes at the Japanese Culture center in Hamilton as well as traveling across Canada conducting karate workshops. After Hanshi Shintani’s passing in 2000, Sensei Mattie was appointed Chief instructor of the Shintani Wado-Kai Karate Federation. He still travels across Canada as well as other countries holding clinics for vary martial art groups. Sensei Mattie is also the SWKKF National Team coach. With the help of many instructors in the organization, the team excelled internationally and is reaching the goals that were set by Hanshi Shintani. Ron’s two children are also both in martial arts. His daughter Ronnie-Kay, a firefighter for the Niagara Falls Fire Department, is a black belt belt in Kickboxing and an orange belt in Jujitsu. His son Chad is a black belt in both kickboxing and Jujitsu. Sensei Mattie along with Sensei Labbé, has also been involved in Schutzhund training. This is a type of sport protection dog training. They both competed in the late 70’s and early 80’s across Canada and won many championships with their German Shepherd dogs. Recently, Sensei Mattie received his 8th dan and was appointed vice president and chief technical director for Wado in Canada under the World Traditional Karate Association (WTKA) for Canada. Sensei Ron received the rank of Hachidan from Otsuka Sensei Sr. of the All Japan Karate-do Federation, prior to his death, at the request of Hanshi Sensei coming into effect September 05, 2009 and subsequently awarded Kudan (9th Dan ) rank from the World Traditional Karate Association in November 2020 and Kudan (9th Dan) from the SWKKF Senate in December 2020. Sensei Ron Mattie is married and still resides in Welland Ontario. From Sensei Ron - A lesson in karate I remember Sensei Shintani saying: “The 1st technical thing you learn in karate is how to make a proper fist. Years later, the student wants to learn more katas and other kumite drills, and yet they still haven’t learnt the simplest lesson, how to make a proper fist.” For a more detailed biography of Sensei Ron Mattie as well as some personal stories of his training with Sensei Shintani please read the article in the July 2006 Harmonizer. Sensei Ron has produced the "5 Rules of Karate" video series. To view these follow this link: rmattie@shintani.ca +1 (905) 736-0943

< Back Shindo Photos from National Memorial Tournament Shindo Photos from National Memorial Tournament held on May 25, 2025. https://811184d5-cd1f-4953-859e-95ef22fe2c82.usrfiles.com/ugd/811184_587222f058614395af1445a20715480d.pdf Previous Continue Reading Next

(480) 329-4281 < Back S.E.T. Martial Arts Donald Pugh (480) 329-4281 info@setmartialarts.com Address 13430 North Dysart Road suite 180, Surprise, AZ, USA Surprise, AZ, USA Practice Times Wednesday 5:30, Friday 6:00, Saturday 12:00 Club Website or Social Media Notes Previous Map Next