Millbrook Wadokai has been operating in Millbrook by Sanford DeWitt since 2009.
This club is associated with more than sixty active clubs across Canada which are members of the Shintani WadoKai Karate Federation, one of North America’s leading martial arts organization. The Wado style of karate was developed in Japan and combines classical jujutsu and Shotokan karate. It is reputed to be the purest form of karate and named after that Japanese word wado which means “the way of peace and harmony”, but don’t assume this name is an indication that the style is less demanding than other forms of karate.
Sanford and his three sons all have black belts in karate, which to the uninitiated sounds like the pinnacle of karate achievements. This is not the case. Sanford explains that earning a black belt is the equivalent of obtaining a driver’s license: it means you understand how the system works and are ready to develop skills. You also must be at least sixteen years of age.
Sanford brings years of national karate experience as a player and a coach to this club. He was drawn to the practice when as a small child in elementary school he was a frequent target for bullies.
Classes are conducted on Wednesday evenings at the Millbrook Christian Assembly at 71 King St. West in Millbrook for students from four years old to adult. The season begins on September 16th and the club welcomes newcomers to try a class or two to test their interest. Let him know you’re coming by contacting him at Sensei_sandford@hotmail.com, or call 705-931-3400. Classes for students from four to six years old run from 5:45 to 6:30, seven to eleven year old classes run from 6:30 to 7:30 with classes for youth and adults running from 7:30 until 8:30 pm.