NORTH BAY—A group of karate students from the Manitoulin School of Martial Arts (MSMA) travelled to North Bay recently to participate in the Martial Arts Warriors Weekend.
The martial arts event, organized by Kyoshi Chris Marceau of Marceau’s Martial Arts in North Bay, provides an opportunity for martial artists of all ages and styles a chance to get together to train, learn and teach each other both new and old techniques.
“This is the third annual Warriors Weekend,” explained MSMA Renshi Dan Fletcher. “It is always held on the third weekend of February and our club has gone every year. This year we took 11 students to the seminar. It gives the students a chance to be exposed to all kinds of martial arts styles and they meet new friends from all across Ontario. It is also a lot of fun.”
This year’s Warriors Weekend saw Martial Arts Instructors and clubs ranging from Ottawa to Sault Ste. Marie and from Hearst to Rochester, New York. The styles included Jiu Jitsu, Tai Kuan Do, Shotokan, Goju, Kung Fu, Tai Chi, and Filipino Stick Fighting.
“I take my students and my sempais (assistant teachers) with me so that I don’t have to remember everything that we learn,” the renshai said. “With all of us there, we all learn something new and then I have my students bring that knowledge back to the club and teach me what they learned.”
It gives the students a chance to be exposed to all kinds of martial arts styles and they meet new friends from all across Ontario.
There are two full days of training with a dinner, magic show and dance on the Saturday evening. “This year was unique,” said Renshi Dan. “On Sunday morning, during one of our breaks, I happened to look at the man standing beside me and I took a double take. It was Beau Bridges, the actor. He said that he was in town working and that he trains in Tai Kuan Do and wanted to stop by to see what was going on. He was very nice and even took a picture with our club.” There were over 120 participants in this year’s Warriors Weekend and next year’s event is shaping up to be even bigger and better.
“We all had a great time, learned new things, met new friends, and we are all looking forward to next year’s event,” Renshi Dan added.
For more information or to register for karate, you can contact Renshi Dan Fletcher at 705-368-0988 or email renshidanf@gmail.com or check us out on Facebook at Manitoulin School of Martial Arts.
