by Scott Knowles | Jan 19, 2022 | Classes
We continue to monitor the Covid situation in Alberta and in other provinces. We delayed the launch of our adult and youth programs by three weeks to survey the current situation, and make appropriate and responsible decisions for our members. In assessing both the situation, our safety protocols, and our track record, we believe we can safely resume in-class training as we had originally planned. All instructors are vaccinated and boosted (and +2 weeks), as our personal safety and yours is important to us.
To stay up to date on what we are doing, we have created a page on our website showing program status, and listing all current protocols.
The BKA strongly reminds members, if you are sick, or if you or any members of your family have any known symptoms of COVID-19, to please stay home.
Please note, that the Restriction Exemption Program now applies to any member aged 12 or older. Any 12+ member participating in any classes from the BKA must have proof of double vaccination via QR code scan.
Link: http://www.edmonton-karate.com/covid-19/
Online Registration for the new term is now open. All members are required to complete the registration form, even if you did so in the fall/prior to the start of this term. Once we hit our class size caps, registration for this term will close.
Registration Link: http://www.edmonton-karate.com/register-online/
by Scott Knowles | Sep 15, 2021 | Classes, News
You have likely already heard the new Public Health protocols laid out by the provincial government.
The full protocols are available here: https://www.alberta.ca/covid-19-public-health-actions.aspx
In response to these measures, the BKA will implement the following changes to the adult program, effective immediately:
Adult Classes:
As of Thursday, Sept 16:
- Implement Restrictions Exemption Program requiring proof of double vaccination from all adult members to be able to attend classes
- “Check-in” table to confirm and document proof of vaccination before class
- Proof of vaccination only need be presented once
- Implement Restrictions Exemption Program as above for any youth program members wishing to also attend adult classes
- Suspend high intensity interval/cardio portion of strength training; will reassess every 2 weeks
- Suspend all partner work; will reassess every 2 weeks
- To reduce numbers on the floor, Friday adult classes will no longer have a crossover period between 7:00 pm and 7:30 pm. Students may either arrive at the 6:00 pm start time, or at the 7:30 pm start time. Students who start at 6:00 pm are welcome to attend the full 3 hrs if they so desire.
- Reinforce symptom screening before class
- Symptom checklist prominently displayed at entrance to facility
- Students are asked to review symptom checklist at home before class, and not attend if they screen positive
- Continue with enhanced cleaning protocols, open windows for airflow, etc., as outlined in previously circulated Covid policy (available on website)
The BKA will continue to monitor, react to, and exceed recommended public health measures.
With regards to the Restrictions Exemption Program, proof of vaccination with both doses can be provided in the following ways:
- Print out/screenshot of vaccination statement from https://myhealth.alberta.ca/myhealthrecords
- Print out/screenshot of vaccination card from https://myhealth.alberta.ca/myhealthrecords (available as of Sunday Sept 19)
- Hard copy/photograph/screenshot of vaccination sheet provided at time of vaccination
The BKA is committed to acting in the best interest of the health and wellbeing of its members, and fully supports this policy enacted by the provincial government. With this program in place, you and your fellow club members will be able to continue to train in an activity you enjoy, in a safe, responsible, and stress-free way. Not following this policy would have required a shut down of club operations for the foreseeable future and full transition back to ZOOM.
Thank you for your continued understanding and support as we navigate the pandemic.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.
We look forward to seeing you at the dojo!
by Scott Knowles | Sep 15, 2021 | Classes, News
You have likely already heard the new Public Health protocols laid out by the provincial government.
The full protocols are available here: https://www.alberta.ca/covid-19-public-health-actions.aspx
The BKA is committed to acting in the best interest of the health and wellbeing of its members, and in enabling students to continue to train in a safe, responsible, and stress-free way. Of note, our existing Covid policy already follows many of the restrictions outlined in the latest provincial guidance.
In response to these new measures, the BKA will take the following actions effective immediately:
Youth Classes:
Falls under “18 and under” restrictions.
As of Thursday, Sept 16:
- Reinforce symptom screening before class
- Implement temporary “check-in” screening table before class for at least the next two weeks
- Symptom checklist prominently displayed at entrance to facility
- Parents/students are asked to review symptom checklist at home before class, and not attend if they screen positive
- Suspend all partner work; will reassess every 2 weeks
- 2 m social distancing at all times
- Instructors will be masked at all times
- Parent/spectator seating will be limited and distanced
- Continue with enhanced cleaning protocols, open windows for airflow, etc., as outlined in previously circulated Covid policy (available on website)
The BKA will continue to monitor, react to, and exceed recommended public health measures.
For any older youth program students who also wish to attend adult program classes:
The adult program is subject to different restrictions and in particular will be implementing the Restrictions Exemption Program to be able to continue to operate. This means that youth program students will be required to provide proof of double vaccination in order to attend adult classes. Note that this only applies to students who wish to attend adult program classes. Students only attending youth program classes DO NOT need to provide proof of vaccination.
Proof of vaccination with both doses can be provided in the following ways:
- Print out/screenshot of vaccination statement from https://myhealth.alberta.ca/myhealthrecords
- Print out/screenshot of vaccination card from https://myhealth.alberta.ca/myhealthrecords (available as of Sunday Sept 19)
- Hard copy/photograph/screenshot of vaccination sheet provided at time of vaccination
Thank you for your continued understanding and support as we navigate the pandemic.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.
We look forward to seeing you at the dojo!
by Scott Knowles | Jul 12, 2021 | Classes, News
Club Members,
With the completion of the clinic series, we have shifted to fully in person classes for the remainder of the summer.We appreciate the continued training each of you has done on Zoom over the past several months.
Summer Term Class Schedule (concludes on September 5th, 2021).
• Tuesday All Ranks Classes (6:30PM – 8:30PM)
• Friday All Ranks Classes (6:30PM – 8:30PM)
• Sunday All Ranks Classes (6:00PM – 8:00PM)
BKA Summer Celebration
The BKA will host our return to dojo summer celebration on Tuesday July 20th, 2021 (from ~8:30PM-9:00PM). This is a delay of one week due to instructor and student availability.
Come out and celebrate the accomplishments of the organization and its members over the past 18 months. Awards and rankings will be presented. The instructor team would love to get photos of everyone at this event, so if you can make it out, please attend! :-).
by Scott Knowles | Jun 24, 2021 | Classes, News
The time has come for the return to the dojo!
Effective Friday July 2nd, in person classes will resume at the Grandview dojo for Black Belts only on Tuesdays and Fridays (until the end of the clinic series). Black belts may still join classes via zoom if they prefer during this window. All kyu belts are welcome via zoom.
Effective Sunday July 4th, Sunday classes will resume at the Grandview dojo for all ranks (outdoors).
Effective Tuesday July 13th, all ranks are welcomed back to the Grandview dojo for all classes.
Sunday Zoom sessions will end with the class on June 27th.
Tuesday and Friday Zoom sessions will end with the completion of the clinic series on July 9th.
Summer Class Times effective Tuesday July 13th:
Tuesday/Friday Classes: 6:30PM – 8:30PM (All Ranks)
Sunday Class: 6:00PM – 8:00PM (All Ranks)
Class Structure Notes
BKA strongly encourages full vaccination (i.e. 2 doses) against the Covid-19 virus for all members.
BKA commits to following all guidance set forth by the City of Edmonton and Alberta Health Services.
All classes for the month of July will be socially distanced.
Classes are planned to be taught outdoors in the grass or on the back tarmac. Please bring appropriate footwear for training outdoors. During summer training students can choose whether to wear their gi or an athletic top. We recommend that students bring a gi top in their bag, in case of partnered work involving gripping.
Should weather prevent us from training outdoors (heat or storms), we will move into the dojo, and remain distanced.
Partnered Work (tentative start: August 2021, subject to change)
- BKA will not do any group interactive drills for the duration of the Summer 2021 term (i.e. rolling line, roaming striking shields, etc).
- BKA will commit to offering both partnered and solo versions of drills for the duration of the Summer 2021 term.
- Notes on partnered activities:
- If two students are comfortable working as partners in the class for drills, they are welcome to do so, but both partners must agree to this on an individual basis.
- No student should feel obligated to work with a partner if they are uncomfortable doing so. Solo versions of all drills will also be offered.
- If partnering, BKA asks that students stick with a single dedicated partner for the time being.
As a reminder, if you feel unwell, stay home.
BKA will continue to practice enhanced cleaning measures (see full documentation of Covid precautions) as well as providing hand sanitizer at all dojo entrances.
Club Celebration Day on July 13th, 2021
On our first official class back for all members on (Tuesday July 13th), we will take some time at the end of class to celebrate the accomplishments of the members of our organization in the past year. Come out to support the organization, and your fellow club members! Pictures will be taken! 🙂
Thank you everyone. Please feel free to reach out to myself or Sensei Bernadine if you have any questions.
– Senseis Scott and Bernadine
by Scott Knowles | Jan 8, 2021 | Classes
Club Members, Happy New Year!
On behalf of our instructor team, I wish you and your families all the best in the new year. There is still a certain degree of unknowns due to the current restrictions in place by Alberta Health Services, but we are excited to announce our 2021 Return to Karate.
Classes will resume for our youth program on Saturday, January 16th, and complete with the grading on April 24th.
Please take a moment to fill out the applicable registration method listed below.
If we remain in lockdown after January 11th, live interactive classes will be taught digitally via our zoom dojos.
When we are permitted to re-open our dojo doors, we will shift our classes back to in-person training following the COVID protocols for in-person physical activity that many of our current members are already accustomed to from last term.*
*These protocols may be modified to reflect updated guidance from AHS.
A full breakdown of our protocols are available at this link: http://www.edmonton-karate.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/BKA-Relaunch-Protocol-v2.pdf
BKA will continue to simulcast the classes in the zoom digital dojos for the entire term, for those members who are uncomfortable or unable to attend in-person.
Class Schedule:
Tuesday Introductory Classes – White, White Stripe, Yellow, Yellow Stripe, Orange – 5:30PM – 6:20PM
Tuesday Intermediate Classes – Orange Stripe, Green, Green Stripe, Blue, Blue Stripe – 6:30PM – 7:20PM
Saturday Introductory Classes – White, White Stripe, Yellow, Yellow Stripe, Orange – 9:30AM – 10:20AM
Saturday Intermediate Classes – Orange Stripe, Green, Green Stripe, Blue, Blue Stripe – 10:30AM – 11:30AM
Online Registration: COVID protocols dictate that the BKA must enforce strict class caps, and as such, all classes will be capped at 18 for this term. Please complete the applicable registration as soon as possible to secure your spot in our program.
Students Returning from Fall 2020 Term: You have all already completed the registration form and waiver, and do not need to complete it again. Please visit this link to let us know you are returning this term: http://www.edmonton-karate.com/register-online-returning/
Students Returning from Terms Prior to Fall 2020: Full completion of the BKA Member Application and Waiver is required for participation in classes from the BKA. If you have completed this form prior to January 1st, 2021, you will need to complete it again. Please register online for classes at http://www.edmonton-karate.com/register-online/
New Students: Full completion of the BKA Member Application and Waiver is required for participation in classes from the BKA. If you have completed this form prior to January 1st, 2021, you will need to complete it again. Please register online for classes at http://www.edmonton-karate.com/register-online/
