Welcome!  Locations, Class times, Prices, News, and more...

The Western Karate Academy is in the business of teaching karate. We do not do "quick" promotions, and you won't see any twelve year old "Black belts".

We believe that black belts should be worn by those who are mature, show strength of character and are capable of protecting themselves and others.

We encourage discipline, good heath, and are concerned with character development.

We attempt to make karate affordable for all students, especially families.

The sensei is on the floor at every class, because he loves to teach!

Our academy is more like a family than a business - come and have a look for yourself.

Black Belt Members

Tim Frazer 2001

Allan Fedorak 2004

Lauren Hayden 2005

Laura Doan 2006

Emile Scheffel 2007

Richard Marken 2007

Nick Gagliano 2007

Allyson Hirtle 2007

Brad Wood 2008

Shawn Grooms 2010

Rob Neutelings 2010

Terrie Collins  2011

Pierre Desjardins 2011

Head Instructor

Sensei Jim Doan has been teaching karate for over twenty five years. He holds a sixth degree Black belt in Shokaido karate and has a diploma in Psychology and Social Work.

For a complete biography click here.

All of our designated instructors are high ranking adults and have taken an instructors course as well as receive updated training from the sensei.

Our instructors were chosen by the sensei because they have an ability to teach, and they relate well to the students. 

Instructor Team

 For biographies click here

Richard Marken -Black Belt (2nd dan)

Brad Wood - Black Belt

Shawn Grooms - Black Belt

 Terrie Collins - Black belt

Our Academy

The academy has two locations and each one has a 2000 sq.ft training area. You won't find it fancy, but it helps make it affordable for all students. Students may attend ANY class at EITHER location.

In the past fifteen years we have grown to become the largest martial arts school in Kamloops. Why? Because people like what we do, and how we do it!

The sensei makes it a priority to know all his students by name because he works directly with every one of them.

Come and see if this is the place for you or your child; the first month is free - no gimmicks; absolutely no cost to you.

More about Black belts 

Shokaido has ten degrees of Black belt. The following are some of the requirements for each level of Black belt at our academy, based on the requirements of the (click) Japan Karate Association (JKA).

Black belt 1st Dan (shodan)

• Has completed four hundred classes and a minimum of four years of martial arts training.

• Has held a Brown belt rank for at least one year

• Is at least sixteen years of age

Black belt 2nd Dan (nidan)

• Has held a 1st Dan for a minimum of two years.
• Is at least twenty years old

Black belt 3rd Dan - (sandan)

• Is at least twenty five years of age

• Has held a 2nd Dan for a minimum of three years

Black belt 4th Dan (yondan)

• Is at least thirty years of age

• Has held a 3rd Dan for a minimum of four years.

Black belt, 5th Dan (godan)

• Is at least thirty years of age

• Has held a 4th Dan for a minimum of five years

  Black belt, 6th Dan (rokudan)

• Is at least forty years of age

• Has held a 5th Dan for a minimum of six years

 Black belt, 7th Dan (shichidan)

• Is at least forty years of age

• Has held a 6th Dan for a minimum of seven years

 Black belt, 8th Dan (hachidan)

• Is at least fifty years of age

• Has held a 7th Dan for a minimum of eight years

 Black belt, 9th Dan (kudan)

• Is at least sixty years of age

• Has held a 8th Dan for a minimum of nine years

 Black belt, 10th Dan (judan)

• Is at least seventy years of age

• Has held a 9th Dan for a minimum of ten years