PoCo Karate

05/31/2026

Our condolences go out to the family, friends, and students of Wim Sensei from Pemberton Karate Club. Wim was an extremely knowledgeable, thought provoking, and inspiring Karate and Kobudo instructor. A very likeable and intelligent man, well known for his artistic pursuits and publications, Wim will be dearly missed by us all.

To celebrate the life of an incredible man we want to invite friends of Wim Tewinkel to our home in Poole Creek on June 13th.

We will gather at the home of Wim and Mary Jo Tewinkel at 12pm on June 13th. Let us all mingle and enjoy all the artistic works he has created over the years that span across a multitude of mediums. At 2pm we will have our ceremony and spread his ashes, anyone who wishes to say something is encouraged to do so at that time. We want to hear your stories of Wim and the impact he made on your lives.

Anyone who wishes to attend please private message Audrey May and she will give you the address and add you to the list.

05/17/2026

This week we had 6 students testing for their next rank in Karate at the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre in Burnaby. It was a real privilege to watch these hard working students give it everything they had at their test. All 6 students passed, including three of our teenage students passing to 1st Kyu (Brown Belt), which is the last step before testing for Black Belt. Amazing! 🔥🔥🔥

05/10/2026

We had a blast at the PoCo May Day Parade today! Thank you to all of the volunteers and organizers that make this wonderful community event possible. This was a great opportunity to share our passion for Karate and Kobudo with the community in which we live and train. Thank you Port Coquitlam!

Photo credit: Vince Thai

05/04/2026

Congratulations to Sempai Mel Goulet on her promotion to Shodan (1st degree Black Belt) in Satoha Kobudo. It is rare enough for an individual to achieve a Black Belt in traditional Sh*to-Ryu Karate, and even rarer to also achieve Black Belt status in two martial arts. All of that hard work and perseverance has paid off. You are a role model to martial artists everywhere!

05/04/2026

05/04/2026

Congratulations to Mel Goulet on her successful promotion to shodan in sato ha kobudo.

05/04/2026

A small segment of Sempai Mel's Shodan examination in Kobudo. Congratulations!!! 🎉

04/26/2026

This month we are pleased to announce the promotion of two of our students to 5th Kyu (Yellow Belt) in Satoha Kobudo. Kobudo is the traditional Okinawan art of weaponry, and is the origins of famous weapons in martial arts such as Nunchaku and K**a. Students learn functional usage of these ancient weapons, and how the skill sets are transferable to normal everyday objects for self defence.

04/20/2026

In the interest of self improvement, modelling positive behaviours for students, and promoting the art of Kobudo in BC, in 2019 our Sensei made it a private goal to compete in six consecutive Provincials with the six major weapons in our Kobudo lineage. With this multi-year goal, came many unforeseen challenges and setbacks which became a true test of perseverance and sacrifice. As there were no Kobudo events in 2020 (COVID) or 2025 (Provincials cancelled), after 8 long years, Sensei has announced the completion of his personal goal. He would like to extend this challenge to the next generation of Kobudoka: Dream those big dreams and go after them! It is in the seeking that we find ourselves.

04/14/2026

Some more photos from the 2026 Karate BC Provincials! Way to go everyone!