Karate Association Celebrates 15 Years in the Shuswap
Practice for students attending tournament in Japan (photo credit Scoop staff)
By Jo Boxwell
(L to R) Kiara, Aidyn and Aron Zuidhof practice with Chief Instructor Jean-Luc Desgroseilliers (photo credit Scoop staff)
The Canadian headquarters of a style of karate called Shorei-Kan is located right here in the Shuswap at Cedar Heights Social Centre. First introduced to Canada in 1972, Shorei-Kan falls under the umbrella of Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate, which emphasizes physical and mental wellbeing, self-defence and the values of politeness and respect.
In January 2011, Vic Hargitt Shihan, an 8th degree black belt and President of the Shorei-Kan Canada Karate Association, alongside Chief Instructor Jean-Luc Desgroseilliers, established the Shuswap Dojo in Blind Bay and introduced their first 12 students to Shorei-Kan. It didn’t take long for the Shuswap Dojo to become well-established, and Jean-Luc estimates that to date, approximately 425 students have trained in the martial art locally.
Students learn increasingly complex series of movements called “kata” as well as techniques such as punching, kicking and blocking, and as they advance, they begin weapons training. Self-defence techniques are also incorporated into classes.
While the dojo previously ran classes for younger children, they now wait until kids are a little older to start. One class is open to students between the ages of seven and 10, and a later class is for everyone 11+, including adults. Current students range in age from seven to 85. Two sessions run per year, from January to May and September to December, giving students and their volunteer instructors a summer and winter break.
“It’s good physical exercise and it keeps the brain going,” Vic said, and at 85 years old, he continues to teach at the Shuswap dojo. Vic also oversees the activities of Shorei-Kan Karate dojos in Pincher Creek, Alberta; Oklahoma; Texas; Florida; Perth, Australia and Barcelona, Spain.
The Shuswap club has been a non-profit from the outset. “I wouldn’t feel right getting paid for it because I enjoy it too much,” Vic commented. Having volunteer instructors helps keep costs low for families. Fees for a four-month session are $125 for the younger group and $160 for older children and adults.
Aron Zuidhof has been practicing martial arts on and off for 30 years and has attended the Shuswap Dojo for the past three years. He said of Shorei-Kan, “We love it for the art form,” describing it as both meditative and physical. Aron and his children, 13-year-old Kiara and 15-year-old Aidyn, will be heading to Japan with the club in March to compete in the Shorei-Kan Goju-Kyu karate tournament. Kiara said, “I’m very excited. It’s going to be really fun.”
Other young students representing the dojo in Japan this year include 14-year-old Chance, who travels from the North Shuswap to train in Blind Bay and was named Student of the Year in 2025, and twins Ewan and Noah, who attended the 2025 tournament where they won gold in team kata and family kata events. Numerous students have had an opportunity to travel to Japan with the club over the years.
Building confidence and learning about responsibility are important aspects of the Shuswap Dojo’s approach to teaching. As Jean-Luc explained, “once they get to be brown belt, they are expected to be helpers and to help teach.” Vic said of his hopes for his younger students, “I want leaders out of them all. Community leaders.”
(L to R) Vic Hargitt Shihan and Steve White Shihan watch Kiara, Aidyn and Aron Zuidhof practice their kata (photo credit Scoop staff)
Winter/Spring Session
The winter/spring session began on February 3 and continues on Tuesday and Thursday evenings until May 28. An end-of-session demonstration is planned for the final class in May and is an opportunity for students to share what they have learned with family and friends.
Those interested in giving Shorei-Kan Karate a try can simply show up 10 minutes before the start for a free trial class. For more details, visit https://www.shoreikankarateshuswap.ca.
