This month, Karate BC would like to profile the Pemberton/Whistler Karate Club. Thank you for being a member of Karate BC!
Club Name: Pemberton/Whistler Karate Club
1St and Current Chief Sensei: Wim Tewinkel
Year Club was founded and joined Karate BC: 1984
Number of Members: 60
Style Association: Shito Ryu Seiko Kai
The Pemberton/Whistler Karate Club practices traditional Shito Ryu karate but visitors of any style are welcome to join. The club has classes for pre-schoolers (4-5 years old), juniors (6 to 13) and adults and maintains a very inclusive community culture.
Although right now Pemberton/Whistler Karate Club only has classes in Pemberton itself, over the years they have had classes in Whistler and Mount Currie. Pemberton is only a small village and because they have been around for so long they are now a bit of a Pemberton Institution. Wim Tewinkel, club founder and Sensei, is a sixth degree black belt. He has been teaching karate in Pemberton for nearly 25 years. He has a black belt in Kobudo (Ancient Okinawan Weapons Martial Art) and has studied Aikido, Qi Chong and Chin Na. He also holds a Level 2 NCCP coaching certificate and he is a certified Referee. Every year Wim leads the club through demonstrations in Pemberton and Whistler.
“We organize two tournaments each year. One in-house tournament for the juniors and an open karate tournament, called Qepen, with emphasis on participation by First Nations’ members” says Sensei Tewinkel. This year the Qepen VI Karate Tournament will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2015 in Mount Currie.
“Our tournament is a relaxing, easy going event with the emphasis on having fun. If you have never taken part in a tournament before but would like to try, this is the event to do it. A tournament so small – you are practically guaranteed to get a medal. As a bonus it is held in the unsurpassed beauty of the Pemberton Valley. Bring the family and stay for the weekend.”
For beginners there is paddle kumite and a basics competition. Sensei Tewinkel says that you don’t have to know a kata to participate in the tournament.
A unique attribute of the Pemberton/Whistler Karate Club is their Five-Foot Banana Split Party. Once a year in June they have a special workshop and belt test with afterward a barbeque where they create a Five-Foot Banana Split for the juniors.
Main Contact Person: Wim Tewinkel
Phone Number: 604-452-2364
Email Address: tewinkel@xplornet.ca
Website: http://shitoryukarate.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/328405267279287/
