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 adult program on Friday, January 15th.
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 Advanced Classes – Blue Belts and up – 7:30PM – 9:00PM
Friday All Ranks Classes – White Belts and Up – 6:00PM – 7:10PM
Friday Advanced Classes – Blue Belts and up – 7:15PM – 9:00PM
Sunday All Ranks Classes – White Belts and up – 6:00PM – 8:00PM
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/
by Scott Knowles | Nov 13, 2020 | Classes, News
Club Members,
As you have likely heard, Alberta Health Services has put in place a two-week restriction on all sporting activities. As such, in-dojo training will cease for the next two weeks for students.
However, BKA has been simulcasting classes digitally via zoom since the beginning of the term. This framework will allow us to continue to offer classes to our members at the standard training schedule. Students are encouraged to take advantage of these classes to continue their training during this short shutdown. The links to attend your classes have been supplied via email. This will continue though at least November 27th.
For youth classes, a minimum of two instructors will be present on every zoom call. This is done for the comfort and security of youth members and parents on the call, and will also allow instructors to provide feedback to help students continue to progress.
We will be in touch in the coming days as we learn more. Our team is proud of the work we have done in creating a safe training environment over the past two months. To our knowledge, no cases linked to our activity have occurred. The BKA will continue to be adaptable and remain steadfast in its commitment to providing quality training in a safe and enjoyable way for all of our members.
Thank you, and keep training hard. See you online!
by Scott Knowles | Sep 17, 2020 | Classes
Club Members, an update on the training schedule for the Fall 2020 Semester.
Youth Training Schedule
- Tuesday Introductory Classes
White, White Stripe, Yellow, Yellow Stripe
5:30PM – 6:20PM - Tuesday Intermediate Classes
Orange, Orange Stripe, Green, Green Stripe, Blue, Blue Stripe
6:30PM – 7:20PM - Saturday Introductory Classes
White, White Stripe, Yellow, Yellow Stripe
9:30AM – 10:20AM - Saturday Intermediate Classes
Orange, Orange Stripe, Green, Green Stripe, Blue, Blue Stripe
10:30AM – 11:30AM
Adult Training Schedule
- Tuesday Advanced Classes
Blue Belts and up
7:30PM – 9:00PM - Friday All Ranks Classes
White Belts – Blue Belts
6:00PM – 7:10PM - Friday Advanced Classes
Blue Belts and up
7:15PM – 9:00PM - Sunday All Ranks Classes
White Belts and up
6:00PM – 8:00PM
Online Class Streaming
We will be providing streams of the classes taught at the dojo via zoom. Online streaming of classes will begin on Saturday, September 19th. For access to these classes, please contact our instructor team.
Our team understands the hesitancy to return to training at the dojo during the pandemic. With this offering we hope to help students continue training virtually, until they can return to the dojo.
Students are still required to complete the online registration form, and pay the BKA training fee for access to online classes.
by Scott Knowles | Sep 8, 2020 | Classes, News
The BKA will be returning to in-person classes at the Grandview dojo this September.
Given the situation, we understand that a return to training could be stressful for students. Our team is committed to creating an environment in which students can comfortably make the transition back to training. We will be relaunching with a variety of measures in place to ensure safety for all of our members, and our instructors. Some of these measures include:
- More classes that are slightly shorter to reduce class size, and give the staff time to run enhanced cleaning protocols on the facility.
- Class caps at no more than 18 participants registered per class.
- Social distancing students to a minimum of 2.5 meters between participants.
- Reducing training scope to activities that do not involve person to person contact (this will be revisited as guidance is provided from Alberta Health Services).
- Elimination of the viewing gallery on the side of the dojo. Parents are welcome to view the classes (masked), from the hallways of the facility.
- Students are required to be masked in facility washrooms, hallways, and entryways.
- Mandatory masking for instructors.
- As karate is a physical activity, masks are not required for participants, but students are welcome to wear a mask if they/their guardians wish them to do so. Masking will not exempt students from the social distancing requirements set forth by the BKA.
- Hand sanitizer is provided by the BKA at every facility entrance.
Youth Class Information
Adult Class Information
by Scott Knowles | Sep 1, 2020 | Classes
Club Members,
A reminder that we will continue classes from 6:30-8:00PM on through next Tuesday at the Grandview dojo. If the weather is clear, we will continue with training outside behind the club.If the weather doesn’t allow us to train outdoors, we will move inside the hall, with physical distancing and protocols in place for indoor training.
As of Friday, September 11th, we will move into our fall schedule.Our full schedule is available online at: http://www.edmonton-karate.com/classes/adult-classes/
Please make sure to complete your registration online at http://www.edmonton-karate.com/register-online/
by Scott Knowles | Aug 4, 2020 | Classes, News
Club Members,
Outdoor training has continued to go well, and we will continue this as our training method for the next month.
Classes until further notice on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays will be held at the Grandview Dojo from 6:30PM – 8:00PM (90 minute classes).
If inclement weather prevents us from training, we will notify all members (by 3PM that day) and move to our zoom dojo for class that night.
Please take some time to read the BKA’s relaunch protocol, as emailed out to you. It is also available in the handouts section of the website.
Please take note of the attachments emailed out to you. All protocols as described must be followed for training to be permitted.
Immediate Action Item:
- Fill out the new BKA registration form for 2020/2021. All students must complete this form before returning to any in-person classes.
Our instructional team understands that everyone’s comfort level regarding a return to training may be different; we are committed to creating an environment where our students feel safe. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team.
I have emailed out the complete document from the BKA which lays out the protocols for in-person training during Phase 2. The notes applicable to outdoor training are included. It is also available in the handouts section of the website.
