Welcome!  "Proudly teaching karate in Kamloops for 23 years"

James Doan, sensei - Rokudan (6th degree), owner

James first began teaching karate in 1981 for the East Kootenay  Community College and self-defence at Selkirk High School in  Kimberley, BC.  Moving to Lethbridge, Alberta in 1983, James ran a successful karate school and taught first-year Law Enforcement Defence at the Lethbridge Community College.

 Moving to Victoria in 1988, James developed an assault avoidance program for women called “Educated Defense”. He has presented seminars to more than 1400 women, and his clients have included the Office of the Premier (BC).

He is a strong supporter of local charities and created the Christmas Charity Kick A Thon, which has donated more than $92,000 to community services. He donates his time to teach karate and self-defence at schools and community groups. In 2008, the Western Karate Academy received the Rotary Club's "Four-Way Test" award for its contribution to the community. 

He is a regular contributor to the publication "Amateur Sports" , and has written more than sixty articles for them. 

James moved to Kamloops in 1995 with his wife, Laura. They have one daughter. (Dr.) Laura is a "retired" Black belt and is an Assistant Professor at Thompson Rivers University.

James is a dedicated teacher, a dynamic speaker, has a sixth-degree black belt (rokudan) in karate, and holds a post-secondary diploma in Psychology and Social Work. He is the owner of Debt Stop Canada and enjoys working out at the "Y", playing the piano, singing, reading, and home renovation projects.

 Talon Bomac - Shodan

Promotion to shodan (1st-degree black belt) April 11th, 2015

First started training at the academy in January 2004

Years at the academy 14



Talon has been training non-stop since he began at the academy fourteen years ago, and has attended over 900 classes, so that gives him a lot of "seniority".

Talon avoids the spotlight whenever possible, but is constantly moving around the dojo, helping students who are trying to make their karate better.

He is also the owner of Mr.T's Yard and Lawn Care.

If we need an instructor with endless patience, no one is better suited than Talon. He is also known for the intense training he does outside of the dojo; his skill set is very impressive, although he would never say it.

 DeNara Levin - Shodan

 Promotion to shodan (1st-degree black belt) April 11th, 2015

 First started training at the academy in May 2008

Years at the academy 10

 DeNara is a ten year member of the academy and has grown into her role as an instructor; she has a reputation for keeping order in the dojo, especially amongst the white belts. Her leadership abilities and her patient demeanour make her an effective and popular instructor.

 She is a student at TRU and works part-time at a large grocery store. Her goal is to become a school teacher and work with children.

 DeNara has many interests, one of which is learning sign language.

 Brian Vlodder - Shodan

Promotion to shodan (1st-degree black belt) June 06th, 2015

First started training at the academy in September 2009

Years at the academy 9

Brian has been training at the academy since 2009, but he came to us with three years of kick boxing training under his belt (and has the kicks to prove it).

He moved to Kamloops in 1986 from his hometown of Williams Lake, has worked as a chef in many fine establishments, and is currently the kitchen manager of Halston Pub and Liquor Store.

Interests include mountain biking, boating, watersports, martial arts, and playing guitar.

Brian is married, has a daughter, and is a Herbalife representative.

   

 Richard Wilbur - Shodan

Promotion to shodan(1st-degree black belt) January 10th, 2015

First started training at the academy in April 2002

Years at the academy 13

Richard is one of the academy's "founding members".

Richard works with a team of software developers, and in his spare time enjoys riding his Harley and playing Xbox. He has three children, a grandchild, 3 dogs, and a cat. Although he loves them all dearly, he is often accused of favouring his miniature chihuahua, Milo.

Richard is the kind of black belt who is eager to assist others along the way to theirs. 



 Damon Marken - Shodan

Promotion to shodan (1st-degree black belt) April 08th, 2017

First started training at the academy in September 2003

Years at the academy 10

Damon was quite young when he first arrived at the academy in 2003. He took a break for several years after high school, but returned to the academy in 2016 determined to earn his shodan.

Damon has lived in Kamloops since 2003, and started his karate training soon after arriving. He graduated from TRU with a Diploma in Architectural & Engineering Technology, and now has his own design company.

When he is not at work, he enjoys relaxing with his wife, working on cars or computers, and reading.

Damon has proven to be a valuable asset to the academy, and we are happy to have him back teaching and training with us.

Natalee Rempel - Shodan

Promotion to shodan (1st-degree black belt) April 08th, 2017

First started training at the academy in June 2012

Years at the academy 6

Natalee Rempel began training at the academy more than five years ago, and has attended more than 500 classes. In spite of being raised in a family culture that didn't approve of the martial arts, she developed an insatiable interest for it during the teen years. An already impressive understanding of karate has been further augmented through a study of anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology.

Natalee enjoys spending time with wife, Mandi,  and also benefits from it greatly as she is a massage therapist. There are many food sensitivities in their home, so one hobby is finding foods that are nutritious, but also taste good.  She and Mandi are the proud caretakers of their two dogs and a cat.

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Promotion to brown belt (2nd kyu) November 04th, 2017

First started training at the academy in June 2011

Years at the academy 7

 Dwight started at the academy at the age of seven and has been hard at work ever since. Although he is the youngest instructor at the academy, but has more than 550 classes under his belt. Dwight is the only permanent instructor at the beginners class, assists in our belt testing, and helps out at our community booths throughout the year.

Dwight has two major passions that vie for his time; basketball and karate. When he isn’t at the dojo, you may find him at TCC practising new basketball moves. He plays for Valleyview Secondary, enjoys morning runs, and also likes to get his hands dirty, baking in his family’s kitchen.

Dwight has a great sense of humour and is an engaging instructor who likes to try new drills with his students. He looks forward to driving, the next basketball season, and earning a black belt.