The grading in Alberta is now complete. Thank you to the Joseki Board members, and congratulations to the candidates at today’s event! Twenty-nine candidates, forty-three joseki members, one great day! We were thrilled to see well over 100 people in the zoom session throughout the day, and almost 200 more viewers on YouTube.
On behalf of the Bushido Karate Association and the SWKKF, thank you to everyone who came out to support the event today! Congratulations to everyone who graded today — and of course, a special congratulations to Sensei Mike and Sensei Adam on your Sandan ranks!
The Northern Alberta Black Belt Pre-Grading has been scheduled and will be hosted by the BKA. The pre-grading process is strongly recommended for all students looking to grade in May, so that they can be assessed by instructors outside their dojo, and received constructive feedback to assist in their success on grading day. This event will be open to all brown belt students and up. Southern Alberta grading candidates are welcome to attend this event if they are unable to attend the grading in their region.
Date: Sunday March 7th, 2021 Time: 10:00AM – 2:00PM
Online Registration for this event must be competed by end of day on February 27th.
This event will be a fully digital session via Zoom. Zoom information will be distributed to registered participants and joseki members in the week before the event.
Primary focus will be on grading techniques, katas, and kihon combinations. No jiyu kumite or contact karate will be tested at this event.
This event is open to attendees from all clubs, ranked Brown and up. Only pre-grading candidates will be assessed by the Joseki board.
Registered Joseki Board members must be ranked Sandan or above.
Action Item: Complete Registration Online for Grading Candidates, Participants, and Joseki Board by end of day on February 27th.
Students, with the completion of the youth term on Saturday, we have moved to a modified schedule for the balance of December. All classes will be taught in the high belt virtual dojo room on Zoom.
Tuesday, December 8th Time: 6:30 – 8:30 pm Ranks: Adults, All Ranks Instructor: James Freeman
Friday, December 11th – Grading Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm Ranks: Adults, All Ranks Instructors: James Freeman, Craig Pettie, Scott Knowles
Sunday, December 13th Time: 6:00 – 8:00 pm Ranks: Adults, All Ranks Instructor: Scott Knowles
Tuesday, December 15th Time: 6:30 – 8:30 pm Ranks: Adults, All Ranks Instructor: James Freeman
Friday, December 18th Time: 6:30 – 8:30 pm Ranks: Adults, All Ranks Instructor: James Freeman
Sunday, December 20th Time: 6:00 – 8:00 pm Ranks: Adults, All Ranks Instructor: Scott Knowles
Tuesday, December 22nd Time: 6:30 – 8:30 pm Ranks: Adults, All Ranks Instructor: James Freeman
Friday, December 25th Time: Class Cancelled
Sunday, December 27th Time: 6:00 – 8:00 pm Ranks: Adults, All Ranks Instructor: Scott Knowles
Tuesday, December 29th Time: 6:30 – 8:30 pm Ranks: Adults, All Ranks Instructor: James Freeman
Friday, January 1st Time: Class Cancelled
Sunday, January 3rd Time: 6:00 – 8:00 pm Ranks: Adults, All Ranks Instructor: Scott Knowles
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!
Friday October 23 Evening session for Adults: 6:45 – 8 pm Regular colored-belt class from 6 to 6:30; 15 min set-up and safe entry for additional ranks.We plan to set up a Projector at the dojo, and attend as a group on Friday evening – all ranks welcome, but space will be limited to ~16 in order to observe social distancing.
Saturday (Brown/Black): 12:30 – 2 pm. You’ll need to attend from home.Fee is $25 for both sessions, or $10 for Friday night only.
BKA Instructors who register – Fees will be covered by the BKA. Let me know once you have registered, and I will send one e-Transfer to Sensei Darren to reduce Transaction Fees. Given the pandemic restrictions in place, it is important to take advantage of opportunities to train with different instructors. Different perspectives are important and can unlock epiphanies in your training. We also want to support the SWKKF as far as we can during these difficult times.
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.
