Welcome!  "Proudly teaching karate in Kamloops for 26 years"

James Doan, sensei - Rokudan (6th degree black belt), 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 1500 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 $100,000 to community services, and 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. 

James moved to Kamloops in 1995 with his wife, Laura, who is a "retired" black belt and an Associate Professor at Thompson Rivers University. They have an adult daughter.

James is a dedicated teacher with more than 40 years of experience. He is a dynamic speaker, has a sixth-degree black belt (rokudan) in karate, and holds a post-secondary diploma in Psychology and Social Work. He enjoys working out three days a week at a local gym, playing the piano, singing, reading, gardening, and home renovation projects.

Natalee Rempel - Nidan

Promotion to nidan (2nd-degree black belt) March 15th , 2020

First started training at the academy in June 2012

Years at the academy 10

Natalee has attended more than 700 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 partner Lex, and also benefits from it greatly as they are 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 Lex are the proud caretakers of a dog and a cat.

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Caitlyn Neufeld - Shodan  

Promotion to shodan (1st-degree black belt) November 24th, 2020

First started training at the academy in September 2014

Years at the academy 8

Caitlyn started training seven years ago with the goal of earning a black belt. She instructs six classes a week with more than 500 classes under her belt.

When she's not at the dojo, her time is divided between work, family, and interests such as painting, music, and reading.

Caitlyn is a friendly, highly skilled, and dedicated instructor who expects the best from her students, and runs her own beginners class twice a week.





                      Marcus Marasco - Shodan  

Promotion to shodan (1st-degree black belt) April 23rd, 2016

First started training at the academy in October 2006

Years at the academy 12

Marcus started training at the academy at age eight. He received his shodan after 10 years of hard work and now has more than 850 classes under his belt.

Although he took a four year hiatus after graduating from high school, we are happy to have him back at the academy. At present time he is working on requalifying for his shodan by reviewing all the ranks, and has taken on a beginners class of his own, sharing the dojo with Caitlyn on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Marcus is a patient, personable instructor who enjoys helping his students improve.

Dwight Burgher - Shodan  

Promotion to shodan (1st-degree black belt) November 24th, 2020

First started training at the academy in June 2011

Years at the academy 11

 Dwight started at the academy at the age of seven and has been hard at work ever since. Although he is the youngest instructor (and shodan) at the academy, but has more than 800 classes under his belt.

Dwight has a passion for karate and for working on, and detailing, cars. He is currently studying Police and Justice at TRU. He 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.

Matt McKinlay - Brown belt  

Promotion to brown belt (2nd kyu) June 10th, 2020

 First started training at the academy in November 2017

Years at the academy 6

Six years ago, Matt began to fulfill a lifetime goal of training in karate and has never looked back. Joined by his youngest son, they have formed a strong bond by practicing together at home and at the dojo. Matt has now taken more than 425 classes.

Matt has been married for 20 years and has three children. He enjoys learning while he teaches and is quick with a laugh (and kicks like a mule).

Although he has many interests, the dojo is a place of serenity for him; a great getaway from a chaotic world.



 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 14

 DeNara is currently in her second year as a teacher in Blue River; her first teaching position. 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 drops in to teach and train when she is in town, but we hope to have her back with us full-time in the future.