Associations
Our school is associated with the following organizations:
-Tracy System Kenpo Karate
-Submission Arts Wrestling (S.A.W.)
-The All-Japan Joint Technique Federation
Sensei Don Roe
4th Degree Black Belt - Kenpo Karate
2nd Kyu - Submission Arts Wrestling
Official Member - All-Japan Joint Technique Federation
My name is Donald Roe, while living in Victoria I decided to study the martial arts, I knew about all the mainstream systems (judo, taekwondo, ninjitsui) at the time I was only interested in learning on a private lesson level and all the schools were only group oriented atmosphere. This was not appealing to me, and then I came across an ad for a dojo that specialized in private instruction teaching Kenpo karate. I knew nothing of this art, but I thought I would give them a try, little did I know that I would spend the next 17 years studying Kenpo.
Kenpo is a combination of ancient fighting techniques and modern scientific principals an unending flow of motion that can overwhelm any attacker. Kenpo is a practical martial art, every move creates a specific reaction in your opponent, each reaction leads you to your next move, every strike is a block and every block is a strike. Each move flows into the next this logical and sequential flow of action is the essence of Kenpo. I began my training in 1993 and by 1996 I became a certified instructor, then in 1999 I received my 1st degree black belt (Shodan) and with some encouragement I moved to Comox to open my own private school teaching Kenpo professionally.
I was awarded my 2nd degree black belt (Nidan) in 2001 and returned to Victoria in early 2004 and received my 3rd degree black belt (Sandan). Always continuing with my training I was awarded my 4th degree black belt (Yodan) in May 2008.
Since the opening of this school we have competed at the Tiger Balms Internationals held in Vancouver and this dojo has earned 18 gold medals and 26 silver medals as well as 22 bronze medals dating back to 2000 in a variety of categories ranging from continuous and point sparring in addition to hard and soft kata also in the team kata as well as the self defense divisions, we also compete with traditional weapons using Bo's (6 and 4 foot staff) and spears plus escrima sticks.
At the 2006 Tiger Balm Internationals one of the dojo competitors won the grand champion gold cup. We also compete at the Canadian - American West Coast Championships, another one of the major Canadian martial arts tournaments and since 2004 we have won 19 gold medals, 7 silver and 8 bronze medals, one of the competitors won the 5 foot grand champion trophy in 2006. We also compete at the Coastal Martial Arts Open and since 2005 we have won 13 gold, 16 silver and 4 bronze, as well as a Grand Championship trophy in 2009. Most recently we have began competing at the Island Open Championships and have won 4 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze medals. I have qualified for the Canadian International martial arts team 6 times and one of our students went to Mexico in 2003 representing Comox on team Canada and returned as a world champion with 2 gold medals at the world karate championships.
I also started cross training in grappling in the beginning of 2004 to improve on ground fighting, I hold a 3rd Kyu rank as an apprentice grappler in Submission Arts Wrestling (SAW) and the dojo is an official affiliate with SAW and the All Japan Joint Technique Federation, in addition, Mike Martelle , the current Heavy Weight World Champion in SAW conducts seminars at the dojo. In addition, a select few students and I regularly train with MMA legend and 5 time UFC Champion Royce Gracie for an additional perspective on ground fighting.
Kenpo can be the most lethal of the martial arts, to control the power of Kenpo you must first control yourself. Train your spirit as you train your body, developing inner strength, balance and harmony as you learn.
A master of Kenpo is more than an expert in karate, they are a martial artist
Jon Woodhall
1st Degree Black Belt - Kenpo Karate
Hello, my name is Jonathan Woodhall. I began training at the House of Kenpo at the age of 14 in January 2003. I began training in Kenpo because of troubles at school, and although it took time to become skilled in Kenpo (any skill will require time after all), after some training I found that everyday bullies no longer bothered me. When done right, learning a skill like Kenpo really does raise one’s confidence and self-esteem - a more potent weapon than a fist.
In 2004 Sensei Roe first gave me the opportunity to teach, starting with group classes and eventually making my way up to teaching people of my own belt level, and I’ve been teaching ever since. Currently your best chance to catch me in the dojo is on Friday evenings when I teach my currents students and run the practical application and conditioning class at 6:00pm.
Besides teaching and learning in group and private lessons, I have competed in 6 different Martial Arts tournaments including the Tiger Balm Internationals, the Costal Martial Arts Open and the West Coast Can-Am Championships. My focus in competitions has been on hard form, soft form and weapon forms. Sensei Roe and I have even developed several brand new weapons forms for Kama and Tonfa. In my time competing I have won 6 gold medals, 2 silver, 3 bronze and 1 grand championship trophy. In 2008 I took part in my 7th tournament for the first time as a judge rather than competitor.
Outside of the dojo, I love to join the Kenpo group for our monthly paintball game.
Corey Nickerson
1st Brown Belt - Kenpo Karate
I started my long quest for the coveted black belt at the age of 10, studying the art of Chito Ryu Karate. After some time spent there, my family relocated and I switched to Shito Ryu Karate, another move brought me to Shotokan Karate and finally to Wado Ryu Karate. Not long after, I graduated high school, moved out on my own and studied Goju Ryu Karate for a time in Squamish BC, eventually attaining the level of Green Belt. While I Squamish I watched a movie called “The Perfect Weapon” starring Jeff Speakman and featuring the art of Kenpo Karate. I swore at the time that if I ever found a Kenpo school I would sign up and never look back. Inevitably, after three years I moved from Squamish back to the Comox Valley.
After about 6 months in Courtenay, my brother asked me if I wanted to check out a Karate school he had heard about in Comox. I was reluctant at first, thinking of all the time spent in Japanese schools over the years. However, when I learned it was Kenpo, I grabbed my shoes and walked straight into the Comox Dojo and immediately asked “Where do I sign up?” Sensei Roe, with disbelief, asked if I wanted any information. I replied, “Is this Kenpo? I’m in!”, and I have never looked back.
Since Starting Kenpo with Sensei Don Roe, I have improved every facet of my life. I have improved my physical and mental health, agility, reflexes, awareness. My confidence level has increased to the point where I have competed in many tournaments. I have received Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals at every tournament, and have won 2 Gold medals and a Grand Championship Trophy at the Tiger Balm Internationals. In 2007 I qualified for the Canadian Martial Arts Association’s Team Canada, set to compete in Busan, South Korea. I have had the rare opportunity to train with Grand Master Al Tracey. I have also trained with UFC superstar Royce Gracie. For all of which I give thanks to Sensei Roe for his great teaching and leadership.
For the last 2 years I have had the pleasure of teaching many fine students in the art of Kenpo under the direction of Sensei Roe. I also enjoy leading the intense cardio-strength straining and Kickboxing classes held every Tuesday and Thursday nights. I encourage everyone to take Kenpo, not just for their health, but with my past experience in many different forms of the martial arts, including Wrestling, Boxing, Judo, Aikido and the Arts I mentioned earlier, Tracy’s Kenpo Karate is possibly the most complete Martial Art available today that specializes in modern day self defense.