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 | 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.
by Scott Knowles | Jul 27, 2020 | Classes, News
Tomorrow night (July 28th), the BKA will not have a zoom class, and will be pilot testing an outdoor class at the Grandview dojo. This outdoor training session will take place from 6:00PM – 7:30PM. If you plan on attending this class, please arrive 15 minutes before so that we can go through the protocol, and ensure a safe training environment for everyone.
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.
Emailed out to all members is 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.
Some highlights for students to review from the document:
- Before we train tomorrow, all members in attendance must complete the new BKA registration form and waiver, attached at the link below.
- Students who have not completed this form will not be permitted to train.
- Students should not expect to have access to the community hall at this point. This means you will need to come changed into appropriate training equipment for the conditions, wearing train shoes, and have filled water bottle(s) with you. Sensei Scott and Sensei James can open the hall in case of an emergency. Be aware that the class is 90 minutes, so consider using the washroom before attending the class.
- Students must complete the checklists included in Appendix A and B prior to class. No students showing any symptoms of COVID 19 should leave their homes to come to class.
- Students will have their own dedicated training area, with social distancing measures for high intensity activity in place.
- We encourage our students to follow the guidance of Alberta Health Services surrounding the use of masks.
- Masks are not recommended for high intensity activity by AHS, but it is your choice if you choose to wear one for training.
We are trialing this protocol, and appreciate your patience! Thank you.
by Scott Knowles | Mar 14, 2020 | News
Updated March 13, 2020
The Bushido Karate Association continues to monitor a number of credible sources for guidance on how to proceed with COVID-19. We committed in our note yesterday that we would do so.
The safety of our Membership, Instructors, and the wider Community are our chief concern.
The Chief Medical Officer for Alberta continues to rate the risk of contracting COVID-19 for Albertans as LOW. As of her update on March 13 at 4pm, there are 29 confirmed cases in the Province, all of which have been traced to travel. https://www.alberta.ca/coronavirus-info-for-albertans.aspx. She continues to recommend restrictions on conferences and sporting events to less than 250 individuals.
While Edmonton Public Schools continue to remain open, we have observed a number of workplaces as well as amateur sporting organizations cancel activities until further notice or move to work-at-home policies to maximize social distancing, with the Canadian Soccer Association today as an example coming out with a directive suspending all activities at all levels.
In discussion with our Board, we have decided that while we could remain open and comply with the AB Chief Medical Officers most recent guidance, we will suspend operations for the foreseeable future as of March 14.
We are committed to remaining in close constant with all of you over the upcoming weeks, to keep you informed. It is our sincere hope that you and your family remain well, and that we are able to operate again very soon.
Recommended Resources
– Health Link: 811
– Government of Alberta: https://www.alberta.ca/coronavirus-info-for-albertans.aspx
– Government of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus- disease-covid-19.html
– World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
by Scott Knowles | Mar 13, 2020 | News
Statement on COVID-19 Outbreak: Current Precautions and Preparedness
Updated March 12, 2020
For the benefit of those concerned about COVID-19, we want to offer our reassurance that we are monitoring all updates from the World Health Organization, Government of Canada, and Government of Alberta and are prepared to respond as necessary to further developments. We are also studying what other sport clubs and martial arts organizations are doing in response to COVID-19.
The safety of our Membership, Instructors, and the wider Community are our chief concern.
1. Current Precautions
The risk of contracting COVID-19 remains LOW to Albertans at this time.
To ensure everyone’s safety and to help with the slowing the spread of illness in general, we encourage all students to wash their hands thoroughly and often. Students should also ensure that their uniform is washed after every class. In addition, the following changes to class etiquette and training will occur, effective immediately:
1. All students must either wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer prior to coming onto the floor. At our Grandview location, there is a sanitizer dispenser right inside the main dojo entrance.
2. Effective immediately, no club equipment will be used as part of training. This means no striking shields, focus mitts, weights or strength training equipment or communal club hand-pads will be used.
3. Effective immediately, no close-range “body-on-body” training or kumite drills will be done. More generally, and as guidance for instructors, any activity that could risk students touching each other will cease.
4. In the case of our Grandview Training location, we are in contact with the Community Hall to understand what additional cleaning tasks are occurring. For now, prior to every class, Instructors will wipe door knobs and handles with disinfectant.
If you are feeling unwell for any reason, stay home.
Our instructors will be reinforcing these precautions with students at the start of every class.
We ask that if anyone has visited a Grand Princess Cruise, Iran, Italy, or China’s Hubei province in the last 14 days, please self-isolate until two weeks have passed since their return, even if you
are feeling well. We encourage everyone to follow government-recommended travel precautions at this time, including limiting non-essential travel, especially by air.
Anyone who has experienced any of the following, regardless of recent travel, should self- isolate and call Health Link at 811:
– Contact with someone who was suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19
– Time spent in a health-care facility
– Symptoms such as cough, fever, or tiredness
2. Preparedness for Potential Further Required Action
Unless otherwise advised through guidance from the AB Chief Medical Officer, the Government, or from Governing Bodies for our sport or sports like ours, the Club will remain open and operational with the modifications outlined above. In the event that a closure is necessary, we will communicate the details of that closure and provide updates as more information becomes available and circumstances unfold.
In advance of any upcoming events, we will closely monitor updated information to ensure that we are following guidelines pertaining to limiting the amount of people who are gathered at one time as needed.
Recommended Resources
– Health Link: 811
– Government of Alberta: https://www.alberta.ca/coronavirus-info-for-albertans.aspx
– Government of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html
– World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
by Scott Knowles | Jan 1, 2020 | News
To all members and supporters of the Bushido Karate Association, a heartfelt thank you for making it possible for us to share a set of values and passion for self-improvement. I am looking forward to 2020 and the journey we will all take together. Happy New Year everyone!
