Adam Jolly Grand Champion Swordsman

The October 20th, 2007, Western Canadian Martial Arts Championships was and exciting martial arts event with something for everyone. They had the usual traditional forms and sparring, but they also had the Pankration, MMA (mixed martial arts) and Ju-Jitsu events. One of the most exciting events was that of the various creative forms divisions with the high-flying acrobatic kicks, twists and flips. What a high level of athleticism it takes too when you consider that most people only see that kind of action in movies and television programs.

What made is particularly fun for Team Karate Quest was that they took home two first and a second in various age divisions while the Team Captain, Adam Jolly, took home the Grand Champion Title following an outstanding sword performance. Eli Jolly and McKenna Jolly contributed to the other victories.

Gabriel Jolly made his Pankration debut and performed very well. His performance demonstrated that he has the potential to take the division in the years to com. Gabriel made a few mistakes kept him out of the running for a title in his division this time.

What a cool day!

Philipino Martial Arts Digest Editor Steven Dowd Does the First Karate Quest Seminar!

We have had a lot of excitement at the school since it opened just about three weeks ago. Well as if getting open and getting going wasn’t exciting enough we were treated to a special visit by Professor Steven Dowd who not only serves as the editor Filipino Martial Arts Digest, but is also the current Grand Master of Arnis Balite. While the Karate Quest school is brand new, with many students that have little or no martial arts training prior to joining Karate Quest as well as a handful of seasoned martial artist, Professor Dowd taught a fantastic seminar covering the basic principles of the art that he loves so much.

Professor Dowd learned about Karate Quest throuh our own Mr. Pat Armijo who is the senior most Modern Arnis instructor in the region having trained under Master Remy Presas and Remy Presas Junior. However, with Mr. Armijo’s eclectic background as an advanced black-belt in Kenpo Karate among other arts he is always on the lookout for things that other accomplished martial artist are doing that he can learn from. That said, over the years Professor Dowd and Mr. Armijo have struck up a friendship that continues to grow with the arts.

All in all it was a well attended and definitely well worth while event for all.

Come Train With Us!

The new school in Ferndale is finally open!  While we are in Ferndale we are easily seen from I-5 Northbound just north of the new Wilson’s Furniture.  The school is absolutely the best training center in Whatcom County with 1,800 square feet of mats on the first floor with another 1,060 square foot second level mezzanine that provides and even more mat space.

 The school is the Ultimate Martial Arts training center.  Speaking of art, you should stop by to see the forty foot long Dragon Mural that rises up above the training area.  That alone merits a tour of the school and we have more art work that we will commission as the school continues to grow.

The classes are really shaping up quickly and those that have already enrolled are having the time of their lives.  They basically use this as a mini vacation several times a week.  Of course with the absolute best in Self-Defense anywhere they get fitness with a purpose.  Of course for people of all ages their is plenty of emphasis and strong basics as well as some very exciting advanced techniques and concepts.  In other words, the fun never ends when you are involved in the Karate Quest training programs where nothing but the best will do.

 That said, we even put a granite deep sink in the school.  Where else would you find that.  We don’t settle for second best and neither should you.  We look forward to meeting you soon.

Summer Is Over, But The Fun Is Just Beginning!!

Well I have taken far to long to write a post on the website.  In short we have accomplished so very much and we have had so little time to take it all in.  It has been great.  We ended the summer with a phenomenal week at the Northwest Washington Fair where we carried on a constant flow of demonstrations and allowed the public to win some free Karate Training.  We teamed up with Shayne Simpson’s Pacific Northwest Karate Center, Bellingham, Washington at the fair grounds.

We were not center stage at the fair, but when the members of Team Karate Quest and Shayne Simpson’s Team Rock Solid were performing we would have hundreds of people simply watching in amazement as the martial arts were performed in ways that were thought only possible in movies.  The kids performing ranged from 8-17 years of age and they all performed at levels well beyond their years.  Of course they could make no better tribute to their respective schools than to perform at such a high level.

 Come to think of it, that is what makes this so fun.  There is nothing like seeing a child develop well beyond their expectations and the expectations of their parents.  The secret behind that is dedicated instructors and committed parents who support their kids on their journey to Black Belt.  Many places teach karate or some form of martial art.  However, the instruction that helps kids become the best they can be and express that in all areas of their lives is found in very few schools.  We want to continue the tradition of being that kind of school.

If you didn’t get a chance to see us at one of the local events, such as the Northwest Washington Fair or the Ferndale Street Festival, come on by and see as at our school.  We would love to see you and get a chance to know what it is that you find interesting in the martial arts.