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 | Oct 22, 2020 | News
Dynamic Karate – Virtual Clinic
Friday October 23 2020 – 5:30-8:15 (MDT)
Saturday October 24 2020 10-2 (MDT).
See details here: https://dynamickarate.ca/11th-annual-fall-clinic
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.
Register Here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdwQgG4Un908N3evW042k_B-7Lndmub87JY4dTKZ8Mrkvbi3g/viewform
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.
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
