Hollyburn Country Club

Sensei: P Stoddart

Classes : Mon – Sat

email: senseistoddart@canadajkfwadokai.org

Started Karate 1981 in Largs Karate Club 

Highest Achievements

• JKF Wado Kai Examiner Certification
  
• Double Gold Medalist 2008 Wado Kai World Championships

 Dojo :  Hollyburn Country Club, West Vancouver.  Inception 1998. 

Dan Certification

Godan (5th degree)    NKA Technical Panel                     Canada     2007    M.Tsuruoka
Yondan (4th degree)   JKF Wado Kai Tech. Panel          Canada     2008     T. Arakawa 
Yondan (4th degree)   NKA Technical Panel                    Canada     2000     M. Tsuruoka 
Yondan (4th degree)   CSKA Technical Panel                  Canada     2000    A. Holmes, M. Scales 
Sandan (3rd degree)   CSKA Technical Panel                 Canada     1997     A. Holmes, M. Scales 
Sandan (3rd degree)   JKF Wado Kai Tech. Panel          Japan         2004    Dr. K. Hakoishi 
Nidan (2nd degree)     CSKA Technical Panel                  Canada     1994     A. Holmes, M. Scales 
Nidan (2nd degree)     JKF Wado Kai Technical Panel   USA            2003     K. Okumachi, N. Foster 
Shodan (1st degree)   JKA / KUGB Board                         Scotland    1991     K. Enoeda 
Shodan (1st degree)   JKF Wado Kai Technical Panel  Canada      2001    Dr. H. Takagi, N. Foster 

Officiating & Coaching Certification

Instructor Certification JKF Wado Kai                          Canada       2008      JKF Wado Kai 
Class A Judge            Kumite                                         Greece        2006      Tommy Morris W.K.F. 
Class B Provincial       Kumite                                       Canada       2002      Karate BC 
Class B Provincial       Kata                                            Canada       2002      Karate BC 
National Canadian Coaching Certification Level II   Canada       2003 Coaching Association of Canada 
Advanced First Aid & A. E. D. Certification                  Canada        2006       St. John Ambulance 

Organizational Involvement

BC Team Member Karate BC                                        Canada      1993 – 96 
BC Team Coach Karate BC                                           Canada      2002, 2009, 2010 
BC Winter Games Referee & Coach                            Canada     2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 
Member Canadian Shotokan Karate Association     Canada      1993 
Member JKF Wado Kai                                                   Canada      2001 
Member National Karate Association                          Canada      1991 
Member Japan Karate Association                              Scotland     1985 

Styles & other Martial Arts

Shotokan     Japan Karate Association    Scotland        1981    K. Enoeda 
Wado Kai     Japan Karate Federation      Japan            1995    T. Arakawa, H. Takagi 
Judo              British Judo Association      Scotland        1980   C. McIver, I. Stoddart

Location:
Hollyburn Country Club

Map:

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Guseikai

Buddhist Sutra

• Time passes quickly during youth.
• Age progresses unnoticed.
• Knowledge and learning are not accomplished at the same rate so do not waste time.
• The dreams of youth, like new grass growing on the edge of a pond, must be fulfilled while fresh in the heart.
• The autumn wind blows a big begonia away from the stoop, creating melancholy sounds.
• Live for the moment, seize the opportunity; do not let chance pass you by…

The name Guseikai was created by the late Mr. Eiichi Eriguchi, the former Chairman and President of JKF Wadokai. He was inspired by an idea derived from one of the Buddhist scriptures.

The first Guseikai dojo was established by Dr Hideho Takagi in Tokyo, Japan, followed by Bob Nash in Berkeley, California and Norma Foster in Vancouver, Canada.

   GU = serendipity, fortuituous circumstance, chance occurance
   SEI = becoming
   KAI = association

The experience of Karate ought to be enjoyable.  It should be about growing and confronting one's limitations; but it should always be done in a spirit filled with fun and enthusiasm. You must have the courage to examine your life and also have the ability to laugh at yourself. Life is too short to waste away in dread and fear. Live life to the fullest, enthusiastically and with a sense of wonderment. The trick is learning how to smile…..

We are a group of people who met by fate, chance, serendipity….

Guseikai is a top Wado organization that is directly affiliated with the JKF-Wado Kai : Japanese Karate-do Federation Wado Kai, the governing body for Wado Kai Karate.

Chief Instructors, Sensei Bob Nash and Sensei Norma Foster are 7th Degree Black Belts through the JKF-Wado Kai line. Among a few select others they are respectfully recognized in N. America, Europe, Oceania and Australasia as top Wado Kai practitioners and teachers.  Sensei Foster & Sensei Nash have both studied with Dr. Hideho Takagi Sensei, 8th Dan Black Belt JKF-Wado Kai, who opened the first Guseikai dojo in Tokyo, and with Mr Toru Arakawa 9th Dan Black Belt JKF-Wado Kai  the Technical Advisor to the Wado Kai in Japan.

Guseikai compares to University while your local martial arts school may compare to Junior College. The standards are very  high and instruction can be very intense.  This is not to undermine other martial art schools in the area, it simply means that obtaining a Wado Kai Black Belt will be very challenging, yet once you achieve it significant doors tend to open.  For example, students may have the opportunity to train in Tokyo and compete in the Wado Kai World Championships.

Any student that qualifies to test for their Shodan, 1st Degree Black Belt, if they pass, will be recognized in Japan through the JKF-Wado Kai. Their certificate will be signed by the current president of the JKF-Wado Kai and carry an official stamp that is recorded on the certificate and in a “book of Black Belts” to certify one’s Dan rank.  The pass rate for Dan examinations in Guseikai is approximately 50% meaning only half of all participants will usually pass any examination.

 "It is easier to be world champion in kumite than it is to be world champion in kihon…there is no luck involved in kihon performance". – Dr. Hideho Takagi