Andrew in Japan

Andrew Statz, a certified high school teacher and chief instructor, of South Surrey Club began his martial arts journey with judo training under the critical eye of Nobi Sakiyama and Ron Uyeyama, senior high school teachers and local practicing judo experts. Ron Uyeyama a Canadian judo champion trained Andrew with an old school philosophy of toughness. It was good preparation for the next twenty years of Karate training with another rigorous Sensei, Tak Sameshima, for whom he eventually served as senior instructor before opening his own dojo. After achieving his black belt in Karate, Sensei Statz began balancing Karate with jujitsu training, which he pursued with Steve Hiscoe, an RCMP officer and jujitsu master. This triple-martial-arts background afforded a unique teaching style that reflects his deep appreciation for the depth and breath of both martial arts training and instruction. As a result his dojo attracts people from other styles of martial arts, as well as newcomers to karate.
As a retired secondary school teacher, Sensei Statz background includes a lifetime of activity in many sports, from competitive hockey and competitive swimming to football; he has been a level three certified coach for over twenty years. Karate, however, has been a lifelong passion for him, and he is currently a 6th degree black belt, who enjoys visiting Japan with members of his South Surrey Karate Club.

 James Johnson is a member of the Sports Hall of fame for karate fighting or kumite as the Japanese call it.

James Johnson 7th dan was the chief instructor of the Burnaby Dojo with Frank Mostad 6th degree black belt as the senior karate instructor.
Training in martial arts has many advantages:  increased achievement in school, flexibility, greater self esteem, and increased awareness in terms of self defense. You do yourself and your child a great service to look into karate training.
This is an opportunity to get involved with your son or daughter by coming and training together as many in this club do. You’ll have a reason to be proud of them and they’ll have a reason to be proud of you.
Other blackbelt instructors  who have trained and are training at the school include:   Jim Hawkins, 4th Dan; Lucas Reddy Nidan; Chris Millard ,Cara Statz, Mitch Webb, Adam Reddy, Krystal Millard, Ryan Halladay, David Rhodes , Josh Halladay, Mutte Chen, Luke Chen, Joseph Khoo… all Shodans. (We do not give out children’s blackbelts as those are not considered legitimate in our system of training.)

Registration

Is karate training for you?
Come out, try it out, and see for yourself. The first time is free, and you get a feel for how it works for you. Wear gym clothes (track pants and a Tshirt are all you’ll need) and enjoy the work out!

Karate training will recommence at Pacific Heights Elementary School on September 11th. To join, simply show up to Pacific Heights Elementary School. It is located at 17148-26th ave. Beginners class is at 5 pm on Monday, Wednesday or Friday. The benefits are well documented for increased flexibility and even academic achievement!  Students will be subject to basic karate training from two highly qualified instructors.

Check this web site karatewith.us for information (map, fees, times and family rates) or upcoming news!

New  member? You can register anytime in the first few lessons. Bring a friend for support and someone you can participate with. Your teacher, (Sensei in Japanese) is Andrew Statz. He is a retired school teacher who was a physical education coordinator for an elementary school and a high school teacher and coach for over twenty five years. If you are new to the club and wish to try it out- just wear loose fitting clothing!   The first lesson is Free.

Times
Beginners and families 5-6 pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Adults and advanced 6-7 pm Monday, Wednesday and 5-6:30 Friday

All  karate training is held at Pacific Heights School gymnasium

Fees

Costs for the club not including KarateBC insurance( go online to KarateBC website and pay your insurance fees ShiSeiKai (annual mandatory fee $50)   plus  $105 per monthly training fee.

All training classes will be conducted on a pre-pay basis.(Please provide a series of post-dated cheques dated for the first of each month. Cheques are made payable to the South Surrey Karate Club.)

Times
Beginners 5-6 pm Monday, Wednesday 
Adults and advanced 6-7 pm Monday, Wednesday and 5-6:30 Friday
See you there!
Shihan
Andrew Statz Shihan 6th degree Shotokan karate and master of martial arts (judo and jujitsu)
604 5315289
statzandrew8@gmail.com
semi-retired school teacher, B.A.,B.ED., M.ED.

Sensei Jim Hawkins 4th degree Shotokan karate and local businessman

Sensei Jim says this club is the best and its going to be great!

contacts for information

Andrew Statz Sensei ( school teacher/ coordinator/ counselor) 604 531 5289

Jim Hawkins (certified karate instructor)

The levels of Karate Black belts 

 

To many, the black belt is a sign that one has mastered the art of karate. However, holding a black belt, while a very impressive accomplishment, does not mean that one has reached the upper echelons of karate skills. Once a person tests into the black belt rank, there are still 10 levels that must be accomplished before he will get his final belt.

 

(Image: Brand X Pictures/Stockbyte/Getty Images)

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Dan Belts

Prior to getting your black belt, you must climb the ranks through the 10 “kyu” levels. The first five levels, or ranks, are signified with colored belts: white, yellow, and green, and the eighth through tenth levels are represented with a brown belt. After your last brown belt, you’ll achieve your first black belt, or dan belt. Your first degree black belt earns you the title of “sempai” or assistant teacher. While this may seem like the end of the journey, it’s the beginning of a new one. There 10 dan levels or black belt degrees to achieve. All 10 dan levels require continuous training.

 

First Five Dan Levels

Each level of dan, along with the numerical designation, has a name. The first through fifth levels of dan are designated, respectively, shodan, nidan, sandan, yodan and godan. Each of these levels is achieved through continual training; it can take upwards of 29 years of study and practice to reach the fifth level of dan.

Levels Six Through Nine

Black belt dan levels six through nine are named, in order, rokudan, nanadan, hachidan and kyuudan. These levels of dan include continued practice of your martial art skills as well as the practice of the tenets of the martial arts for the betterment of mankind. These tenets include secrecy, humility of the heart, courtesy in all matters, charity in giving, high moral character, martyrdom — or sacrifice directed to the right causes — unconquerable spirit and certain victory. All in all, getting to a ninth level black belt can take up to 40 more years of training and following of the martial arts tenets.

 

Dan Level Ten

Achieving the final dan level of judan is an exceptional accomplishment. You must first gain your ninth dan belt and then be chosen by a group of ninth- and eighth-degree belt holders for the final belt. Tenth-degree black belts are chosen from a larger group of high-ranking black belts as means of establishing a hierarchy within the art, according to the Tao International Martial Arts Association.