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Contact Us Where to Find Us SWKKF headquarters proudly calls Welland, Ontario home - a vibrant city nestled in the heart of the Niagara Region, just a short drive from world-famous Niagara Falls. Known historically as the meeting point of rails and waterways, Welland is where tradition and motion flow together - thanks to the Welland Canal and the River that bears its name. Who We Are With over 1,900 passionate students and more than 60 active clubs across Canada, the Shintani Wado Kai Karate Federation stands tall as one of North America’s leading martial arts organizations focused on a single style. We're backed by a remarkable community of 400+ black belts - dedicated, skilled, and highly ranked instructors committed to preserving and sharing the spirit of Shintani Wado Kai karate. Get in Touch Got questions about our style? Thinking of joining a club? Just curious? We’d love to hear from you! Feel free to contact us directly or reach out to your nearest club. CLICK HERE to find the nearest Club to you. We’re here to listen, help, and guide you - whether you're a beginner, seasoned martial artist, or simply interested in learning more about what makes SWKKF so special. Head Quarters Address: Shintani Wado Kai Karate Federation (SWKKF) 515-375 Scott Street St. Catharines, Ontario Canada L2M 3W3 Contact: Denis Labbé - Kudan (9th Dan) President, SWKKF email: dlabbe@shintani.ca

Photos - Sensei Jim Atkinson

< Back Ed Poulin Aug 3, 1951 Jul 5, 2024 comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. Previous Next

(705) 931-3400 < Back Crooked Hill Wado Kai Karate Sensei Sanford DeWitt (705) 931-3400 sensei_sanford@hotmail.com Address 3441 Albert's Alley, Cobourg, ON K9A 4J7, Canada Canborne, ON Canada Practice Times Club Website or Social Media Notes Previous Map Next

(705) 884-2222 < Back Dubreuilville Wado-Kai Sensei Clarence Boutin (705) 884-2222 boutin.clarence@gmail.com Address 1596 Avenue du Parc, Dubreuilville, ON, Canada Dubreuilville, ON, Canada Practice Times Wednesday/Sunday - 6:00-8:30 pm (Eastern Daylight Time) Club Website or Social Media Notes Previous Map Next

< Back Heather Fidyk - Shichidan (7th Dan) Former Senate Member Sensei Heather began her karate career through the University of Alberta Wado Kai club in 1986 earning her Shodan in 1990. In 2007 she earned the rank of Godan (5th dan) under the tutelage of Sensei Ron Mattie. Subsequently, she earned her rank of Rokudan (6th) rank August 2013, and Shichidan (7th) rank December 2020 from the SWKKF Senate. From 1992 to 1993, Sensei Heather lived and worked in Japan with her husband Sensei Darren Fidyk, Godan, where they trained and competed in Wado Ryu under the instruction of Sensei Endo. They continued their international training as Wado Ryu guests in Brazil in 1998 and in Japan in 2000 accompanied by Sensei Ron Mattie and Sensei Darren Humphries. Sensei Heather was a member of the SWKKF National team from 2002-2006. During this time she competed throughout Canada, in the US and Morocco. She maintains her involvement with the SWKKF National Team taking on the role of assistant coach from 2010 to present and even competed with the National Team in Italy in 2011. Sensei Heather has played a large role in the growth and development of Wado Kai karate in Alberta. She founded the St. Albert Wado Kai club, ran the Edmonton Riverbend Wado Kai club, and in 1994 co-founded the South Calgary Wado Kai Karate club with Sensei Darren Fidyk. Currently she is the head instructor and treasurer of the South Calgary Wado Kai Karate Club. The club is about 150 -200 members and hosts one of the SWKKF’s largest tournaments annually in March. She trained Shindo beginning as a blue belt with Hanshi Shintani and today the club participates in the SWKKF Shindo program with both an adult and youth component. As a new member of the SWKKF senate she brings with her a western perspective, a female view, knowledge of being a board member, running a nonprofit organization, and an international understanding.

< Back Brian Julien - Godan (5th Dan) Director Sensei Brian began karate around 1988 at the Grimsby Beach Wado Kai Karate Club under Sensei Brian Chmay and Sensei Brad Cosby. He was graded to his Shodan in September 1997, a few weeks after his 16th birthday at Confederation High School in Welland, Ontario. While attending university in Ottawa, Sensei Brian had the opportunity to train with various instructors from a variety of different karate styles. In 2009, Sensei Brian moved to Timmins, Ontario, where he trained with Sensei Willie LeBrun. Throughout this time, Sensei Brian would take every opportunity to train with Sensei Brian and Sensei Brad whenever his travels brought him back to the Niagara Region. Beginning in 2015, Sensei Brian began training with Sensei Melanie Camirand and together they currently run P.O.P. Wado Kai in Timmins, Ontario. Sensei Brian was graded to his Godan in both the SWKKF and the World Traditional Karate Association in the fall of 2021. Throughout the years, Sensei Brian has been on various committees within the organization, including the Scholarship Committee, Fundraising and Grants Committee, and the Standards and Ethics Committee. He has also been Regional Representative for North Eastern Ontario for approximately 10 years. Sensei Brian is a lawyer and continues to live in Timmins with his wife, Julie, and their 4 children, all of whom are members of the SWKKF. bjulien@shintani.ca +1 (705) 262-2802

Top of Page Course / Video Downloads Dan Grading App. Grading Summary Kyu Grading App. Course / Video Downloads SHINDO RANKS BASIC, INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED SHINDO To properly introduce Shindo into your dojo the Shindo committee, under the request of Sensei Shintani, developed Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Shindo programs. The following downloads are available: Shindo Course outlines - click on pdf icon. Basic Shindo Video Intermediate Shindo Video Advanced Shindo Video SHINDO DAN LEVEL APPLICATION FORMS (GOLD STRIPE) To download the official application, click the Shindo Grading App. icon. Completed applications can be sent to the chair of the Shindo Committee. Please ensure before submitting: Student portion is completed fully Instructor portion is completed fully SUMMARY OF SHINDO GRADING DAN LEVEL GRADING PAPERWORK The following document is intended to accompany the Shindo grading sheets and contains detailed explanations of each technique of the grading as prescribed there. This is intended to assist in interpreting the techniques only. Click Explanation Short Form icon (simplified technique explanations) to download form. Click Explanation Long Form icon (expanded technique explanations) to download form. KYU BELT GRADING FORMS - SHINDO For Dojo Use - Grading Forms for Basic (white stripe), Intermediate (green stripe), and Advanced (brown stripe) levels. Click icons to download forms. Basic Shindo Form (white stripe). Intermediate Shindo Form (green stripe). Advanced Shindo Form (brown stripe). Shindo Course Outlines Dan Grading App. Grading Summary Shindo Grading App. Explanation Short Form Explanation Long Form Kyu Grading App. Basic Shindo Form Intermediate Shindo Form Advanced Shindo Form

Shindo Gradings & Ranking Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Shindo To properly introduce Shindo into your dojo the Shindo committee, under the request of Sensei Shintani, developed Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Shindo programs. For full reference, refer to the Shindo Manual . The following downloads are available on the Shintani Store: Shindo Course outlines - available to all can be downloaded here . Basic Shindo Video (paid download) Intermediate Shindo Video (paid download) Advanced Shindo Video (paid download) Shindo Kata List Below is a list of Shindo Kata guidelines. Shindo Dan-Level Application Forms (Gold Stripe) To download the official application click here. Word Document - PDF Document Completed applications can be sent to the chair of the Shindo Committee. Please ensure before submitting: Student portion is completed fully Instructor portion is completed fully Gradig Fee: $150 + applicable taxes (GST/HST) eTransfer grading fee to payments@shintani.ca Senate - Importance of Shindo The purpose of our letter to you today is to remind you all of a vitally important component of Sensei Shintani and his teachings. Continue Reading What if someone was to ask you, “What does Shindo represent, and what do you learn from it?” Could you answer this question? Continue Reading Future of Shindo Is Important Origins, Principles, and Concepts The art of Shindo was devised by Masaru Shintani Sensei, 9th Dan, in the early 1970’s and he started teaching Shindo to his students in the late 1980’s. Sensei had made the Shindo methods and principles known to Otsuka Sensei who gave it his full endorsement. Continue Reading How to Incorporate Shindo into Your Karate The first step is to just pick up the Shindo and start! Here are some of my personal thoughts on Shindo. Continue Reading The Shindo committee is dedicated to the introduction of Shindo into the everyday teachings of our organizations students. However, the committee is also dedicated to improving and expanding upon Shindo teachings. Continue Reading Introduction of New Shindo Kata(s) Tasks and Goals The Shindo committee has been continuously working at fulfilling the dream Sensei Shintani had for Shindo. The goal is to bring Shindo into the lives of all the students in the federation. Seishin no Shindo I had thought about what kind of a kata that would be good for the Shindo and decided that a Kitagawa kata would best fit the movements of the Shindo as well as capture the essence of Sensei Shintani's movements. Continue Reading Continue Reading

< Back Dan Ranking Advancement - Senseis McGregor and Freeman The SWKKF Senate announce the Dan ranking advancement of Sensei McGregor and Sensei Freeman to Shichidan (7th Dan). https://811184d5-cd1f-4953-859e-95ef22fe2c82.usrfiles.com/ugd/811184_a6db8aa9f2024e7391ed0c82412205ba.pdf Previous Continue Reading Next

Sensei Neil Prime - 8th Dan - SWKKF Senate Member Choosing the Right Club (Make sure to turn your sound on)

< Back Shelley McGregor - Shichidan (7th Dan) Director Sensei Shelley started her Karate journey in 1987 at the Edson Club under the guidance of Sensei Danial McCoy. She was graded to Shodan February of 1992 and in June, 2024 was promoted to Shichidan by the Senate. She has achieved her Level 4 instructor certification in the SWKKF. In May, 2019 she received the rank of Rokudan from the World Traditional Karate Association and has since obtained her Level A instructor qualification and Level A examiner qualification. Sensei Shelley moved to Whitecourt, Alberta in 1993 and took over the Whitecourt club as head in 1998. She has enjoyed hosting numerous tournaments and events over the years. In 2012 she became President of the Alberta Shintani Karate Association and leads the clubs in their development. She has been involved on numerous committees and still remains an active contributor, is a past provincial representative of Alberta, organizes and instructs the Shintani Kata course. She aided in the Kata production of Volume 3 and Volume 4 where she demonstrates Chocodo. Sensei Shelley and her husband Grant continue to reside in Whitecourt, Alberta where they raised their four children, Brandon, Cameron, Conner and Shantelle. Two of her children are black belts in the SWKKF. Sensei Shelley’s believes: Focus on the positive Be kind to yourself and to others Keep training, keep learning, enjoy your karate journey and above all - have fun! smcgregor@shintani.ca +1 (780) 706-5746