On Sept. 25 the Comox Valley Wado-Kai Karate Club was delighted by the visit of Dave Manara sensei. Manara sensei is not only an eighth degree black belt and founder of the Toronto Wado-Kai, which we are closely affiliated with, but the highest ranking black belt in Canada in the Wado style.
Manara sensei has been practicing karate since an early age and founded the Toronto Wado-Kai some 30 years ago. The main club is held at Ryerson Collegiate in Toronto Ontario with clubs reaching across Canada from British Columbia to Halifax Nova Sotia and beyond. There is already a well-established club in Freeport Bahamas and soon one will be opening up in England.
While here, Manara sensei led both the children's and adult classes, teaching lessons on humility and respect for each other no matter what the color of the belt, and that a new student walking into the dojo for the first time is just as important as a veteran.
He also taught some sparring techniques and answered some important questions fielded by the inquiring students.
In the past, the Comox club has been honored with visits and seminars from some prestigious ranks from various clubs across canada. Although the Comox club seems isolated from the others at times, it's visits from people such as Dave Manara sensei and Jose-Carlos Garcia sensei (fifth degree) that lets local students know our roots are firmly planted and still growing strong.
When the club was founded in 1993 my optimism was high that we would succeed, but the students and the club have exceeded all those expectations. Over the past eight years we have grown in many ways. We have produced nine black belts and four red belts along with a few Shodan-Ho's waiting patiently in the wings. Most of these students are still with us training hard toward their next level.
Many components weave together to make a well-rounded, united club, but I think strong, unbiased and consistant leadership should not be overlooked or underrated. I was fortunate enough to have been taught and reach the level of second degree black belt under the tutelage of Jose-Carlos Garcia sensei, who I think is one of the finest instructors in the Wado-Kai system.
I have tried to teach and follow in his capable footsteps over the years while adding a touch of my own along the way. Of course, we are also fortunate to live in a responsive community where the other instructors and myself could put these practices to good use.
Over the years there has been a few stumbles along the way, but reverting back to our roots always seems to put us all back on the right path to what we have accomplished as a club.
Having a wothy club is more than a one-person effort; evryone has to take part no matter what the rank and we are confident with the aid of our diligent and capable peers that we have succeeded.