Sensei Robert

It is with great sadness that we announce that Sensei Robert Robinson, Head Instructor and Sensei for the High River and Vulcan Tekka Karate Clubs died on Saturday, February 15th, 2025.

The loss of Sensei Robert has left a large hole in our club and our hearts.

We will miss Sensei Robert’s insistence that we ‘get it right’, and his determination to make us the very best versions of ourselves through the art of Karate.

We will miss his goofy sense of humor, his demonstration of technique and practical application of karate, and his drive to make us ‘push ourselves’ to improve our skills, each and every class.

Sensei Robert was a force for excellence in all of our lives, and has touched so many over his lifetime of achievements in training and teaching Karate.

Sensei Robert embodied the principles we strive for, as written in the Dojo Kun, and recited at the end of every training session.

Dojo Kun:

The ultimate aim, in the art of Karate, lies not in victory, nor in defeat, but in the perfection, of the character, of it’s participants.

A link to Sensei Robert’s obituary is below:

Sensei Robert Robinson Obituary

Upcoming Tournaments

There are some upcoming tournament dates to add to your calendars in the next few months – more details to follow. We are practicing a lot of Kata in class to prepare for these upcoming tournaments. They are a great way to challenge yourself in a fun and supportive environment, and to see and learn about other karate styles!

Date: Sunday, March 2nd, 2025

Location: 187 Foothills Air Cadets Squadron Hanger – https://maps.app.goo.gl/t7AW6Eva5vNcqPTM9

Time: TBC

Date: Sunday, April 13th, 2025

Location: TBC

Time: TBC

Dates: May 30 – June 1, 2025

Location: TBC – likely South Calgary

Time: TBC

Karate Terminology

A quick update during the break… during the last training session, Laurie showed us a really helpful karate terminology reference guide that anyone trying to figure out the Japanese terms for different karate moves that we are learning in class may find helpful.

A link to the website the guide is from is below:

We hope you are enjoying your time with family and friends and taking some well-earned time for yourself as well – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays!

Our last training session for 2024 will be on Thursday, December 19th, 2024.

We will return to training on Monday, January 6th, 2025 at 7PM at the High River Fitness location.

Thank you to everyone for a great start to the 2024/2025 season! We hope you have enjoy the time off, and look forward to seeing everyone again in the New Year!

We’re Back!

The 2024/2025 High River Karate Club season starts September 9th, 2024 at the High River Fitness location at 143 8 Ave SE, High River, AB.

Classes run from 7-8:30PM, Monday and Thursday nights each week (excluding some holidays) and are open to everyone ages 8 years and older.

Fees are $60 per month for all ages. Kidsport is an option for anyone needing assistance with fees. Prospective members are welcome to come try out their first one to two classes free of charge.

Please contact Sensei Robert for more information.

We look forward to welcoming new and returning members!

Final Grading and Summer Break

It was our final class of the 2023/2024 season this past Thursday, May 30th, and we are now on a well-deserved break from training for the summer.

Our tentative return to training date is Monday, September 9th, 2024; however, check back with us closer to September as we finalize the first class of our 2024/2025 season.

Congratulations to our 2 new Yellow belts, Jack and Stratton, and our 3 new Orange belts, Jaden, Mark, and Scarlet! It’s always great to see how far everyone has progressed when it’s time to complete grading for the next level – you all did amazing!

To every one of our students, your hard work and dedication this year show in improvements in so many ways. Keep training and we look forward to seeing you again in September!

Have a great summer!

Monday Night Grading

Congratulations to our three brand new Green belt! Ivy, Trey, and Zack all successfully completed their Green belt grading this week during our class on Monday night – well done everyone!

Our final training session of the season will be this Thursday, May 29th, 2024 as we take a well-deserved summer break.

Look out for another post following our last class and an update over the summer for timing on when our first class back in September will be!

Karate Alberta Tournament Results

The High River and Vulcan Tekka Karate clubs represented at the recent Karate Alberta Tournament in Calgary on Sunday, April 28th. Congratulations to all of the students who participated, many of whom were first time competitors at a tournament of this size!

Official Results for the High River Karate Club competitors can be found here on Kihapp – https://www.kihapp.com/tournaments/14340-karate-alberta-provincial-tournament-spring-2024/clubs/53150-high-river-karate-club/results

Congratulations to the following:

JoAnna – 1st, Senior 18+ Kata

Mark B – 1st, U14 Kata; 3rd, U14 Kumite

Travis G – 2nd, Masters 35+ Kumite; 5th Advanced Kata

Jaden – 2nd U12 Kumite Novice; 5th U12 Novice Kata

Scarlet – 2nd U14 Novice Kata; 3rd U14 Novice Kumite

Zachary P – 5th U14 Novice Kata and Kumite

Trey – 5th U14 Novice Kumite

Zack L – 5th Novice/Int U18 Kata

Gillian – 5th, Masters 35+ Kata

Really well done to everyone who competed this year! Photos from the event are below.