The Shikomu Karate Club was formed by the remaining population of the Pearson Karate Club which operated at Pearson High School in Burlington, Ontario under the leadership of Sensei Ken Bowman and Shihan Kal Helppi from the mid 1980s until 1999. The emphasis here was on physical conditioning and difficult training in the "old school" way.
The Pearson Dojo stopped operating in 1999 and the remaining students had few options for Shotokan training within Burlington and trained haphazardly here and there, if at all.
In 2004, Shihan Kal Helppi rented the basement of St. Elizabeth's Church in Burlington with only the intention of working with Jeanette Taylor (brown belt) with a view of helping her earn her Shodan. In time they called a few old students who came and rejoined and before long the club had a dozen or so back in the ranks. And yes, Sensei Jeanette was promoted to Shodan that year.
On May 15, 2005, our Constitution was signed by our founding members and the Shikomu name was adopted. It means "to teach or to train". Since St. Elizabeth's, we have trained at Sidrabene Camp, West Plains United Church, and now our current location at the Fitness Firm on Plains Road West, in Burlington. In November of 2010, we opened a second location at the Energy Fitness located in the Millcroft Plaza on Appleby Line, with Sensei Sandy Roney in charge.
Our training continues to focus on correct learning, sound fundamentals, and traditional ways of practice. We expect that our students should be able to travel anywhere in the world and fit in seamlessly at other Shotokan clubs. We believe that quality karate training should be affordable, enjoyable, safe, and rewarding and from the evidence to date, so do a large number of people in the community who are now our members.
We are closely associated with Shihan Bill Carr, who is President of the United Shotokan Karate-Do, and at 7th Dan, one of the most gifted and accomplished athletes and teachers in Canada. Shihan Carr is officially a member of the Shikomu Karate Club, and trains with us regularly, and moreover he is a national level referee and kata judge at tournament venues.
Our Kyu (coloured belt) certification is done in house, our Dan (black belt) certification is through the United Shotokan Karate-Do, and later Karate Canada (formerly National Karate Association).
We are members in good standing of Karate Ontario, Karate Canada, and Sport Canada. Accordingly our students enjoy formal recognition of the ranks awarded as well as insurance, technical clinics and tournament opportunities for those who wish to compete.
