Introduction

Apart from our daily routine it was good for me (Eric) to have a different activity that had no link with our farm work, for me, this was my Martial Arts (karate) education. In a western world where violence is supposed to be limited it is good to be educated in the physical and mental consequences of violence. Mainly, the mental preparation has been an eye-opener for me. I started my karate training in my teens, I did not realise this would stay with me for life. A lot of knowledge from my masters is still very vivid in my mind. I hope those of you who read this will try it out and see if this is a way for you.

I started my first karate training when I was 15 years old. My master Nico van den Heuvel, at that moment 2nd Dan, was a very pleasant but strict master to work with. I trained with him for about 5 years until I reached brown belt (1st Kyu). Then my study and career started taking to much time so I stopped training. I also had moved away from the town where I was born and where I had trained. Years went by without training any more.  Our daughter wanted to take up karate and I decided to go and watch the training. She has attained her Brown Belt in Shotokan and is Blue belt in Shorin Ryu.

I started training again and my master Biagio Ridolfo (6th Dan), who is the head instructor of SKI-Holland, became a good friend of mine. His knowledge and his contacts gave me a good opportunity to improve my skills. Together with him I trained for some years and 3 years ago I passed my shodan test(1st Dan, Black belt). I had reached the level at which one can start helping other people with their training. In the following year I did my instructors course with sensei Ridolfo. That way, I managed to move from Holland to Alberta with enough skills and background to start a new dojo (school). At this moment I am in contact with some great masters in Alberta so I can pick up my own training again and improve my skills further.

Goals

The main goal of karate in general, is to find balance within, so that one can develop in a peaceful and assertive way. Life can be good if one can stay balanced mentally and physically.
The goal for this club is to educate people of all ages in the use and the care for their body. The training will be adjusted to the different abilities of each of the students.
One of my masters is Dave Hazard. He says: "if you can walk, you can practice karate".
Another goal is to give students a type of confidence that they will carry with them for life. This confidence will give you peace of mind in the future and help you avoid many bad situations.
I hope that in a few years it can grow into a club that will keep practicing karate in High Prairie. Until then I will run this training. If people qualified and interested to contribute to this dojo, please contact me.