James Doan, head instructor/owner - Rokudan (6th degree black belt).
Sensei Doan 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).
James
moved to Kamloops in 1995 with his wife, Laura, who is a "retired"
black belt and a
Professor at Thompson Rivers University. They have an adult daughter.
He is a strong supporter of local charities and created the Christmas Charity Kick A Thon,
which 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 Academy received the Rotary Club's "Four-Way Test"
award for its contribution to the community.
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.
western karate academy
Sensei Natalee Rempel - sandan
Promotion to sandan (3rd-degree black belt) May , 2023
First started training at the academy in June 2012
Years at the academy - 12
Natalee has attended more than 1,000 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.
western karate academy
sensei Marcus Marasco - nidan
Promotion to nidan (2nd-degree black belt) January 2024
First started training at the academy in October 2006
Years at the academy - 13
Marcus started training at the academy at age eight. He received his shodan
after 10 years of hard work and now has more than 1,000 classes under his belt.
Marcus is a patient, personable instructor who enjoys helping his students improve.
western karate academy
Matt McKinlay - Shodan
Promotion to shodan (1st degree black belt) may 10th, 2023
First started training at the academy in November 2017
Years at the academy - 7
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 550 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.
western karate academy
New instructors coming in 2026
Western karate academy
