History of University of B.C. Dojo
The U.B.C. dojo was formed through the Recreation U.B.C. program in 1966.
At that time
it was part of Mr. Tsuruoka's Chito-ryu group. When Norman Welch moved to Vancouver in
1970 and joined the dojo, it was led by Al Fukushimas, Don Gee, and Don Jurchuk. In the spring
of 1971, Mr. Ono came to Vancouver for a month, and led many practices at U.B.C. After
attending special training with Mr. Ohshima that summer, Norman Welch resigned from
Mr. Tsuruoka's group and asked the U.B.C. dojo if they wanted to join Mr. Ohshima's group.
Although it was a difficult decision, the members agreed and decided to follow Norman
Welch. Thus the U.B.C. dojo became the first SKA dojo in Canada. In the fall of 1971,
Mr. Ohshima visited Vancouver for the first time and led a practice for this new dojo.
Canada Shotokan was formed in 1972 and the U.B.C. dojo became a part of Canada Shotokan.
Since that time, U.B.C. has been the largest club in British Columbia, having produced many
more black belts than anywhere else in Western Canada. The first special trainings were
held at U.B.C. in 1973 and 1974. Because of the dojo's affiliation with Rec U.B.C., the
enrollment was high in the 1970's, and sometimes as many as 200 students would begin the
class each fall. Under the leadership of Norman Welch, Don Gee, and Don Jurchuk, there were
many intense practices, and the dojo continued to grow. It was typical of Saturday practices
to begin with a four or five mile run (sometimes in the snow!), followed by calisthenics,
pushups and sit-ups. The seniors admit that they were probably a bit crazy at that time, but
their intense spirit stayed with many of those who moved through the ranks of U.B.C. and
became black belts.
The early 1970's were formative years for the U.B.C. dojo. The founding members of Canada
Shotokan in the West bonded through a common interest and goal, and over many practices,
pizzas, and parties, they would become not only fellow karateka, but life-long friends.
In addition to Don Gee, Don Jurchuk and Norman Welch, Alan Kazuta also helped with
the instruction of the dojo until he opened the North Delta dojo in 1984. Don Gee has been the
official leader of the dojo through the 1980's and 1990's, with assistance from junior black
belts, especially Ryan Hill and Joel Nitikman.
U.B.C. has been the site of countless exchange practices, demonstrations, and fundraisers. In
1987, the U.B.C. and the University of Washington dojos began a tournament known as the Goodwill Cup,
which was developed in order to give people from Canada West and the Northwest the
opportunity to face a wide variety of opponents. Each year, both university
dojos choose a team to compete for the "Goodwill Cup". Many seniors from California and
elsewhere have come to lead exchange practices during these events.
It was somehow fitting that the 25th anniversary of Canada Shotokan was held at U.B.C.
Because of the affiliation with Rec U.B.C., hundreds of people have walked through the doors
of the dojo, and some of these people have gone on to become prominent seniors in the region
with dojos and juniors of their own. Don Gee, Don Jurchuk, Rob Powers, Alan Kazuta, Gurmail
Gill, Bernie and Jim Doyle, Joel Nitikman, Curt Wvong, and Bill Low are just some of U.B.C.'s
well-known black belts.
In 1998, Ohshima Sensei honoured the U.B.C. dojo by recognizing it as the SKA
National Dojo of the Year. This award recognizes the many years of service
provided by the dojo and particularly by Don Gee to the practice of karate.
In September 2003, Joel Nitikman became the official leader of the U.B.C. dojo.
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