Island Aikido classes taught by experienced, Japanese trained instructors living in Greater Victoria and on the Saanich Peninsula.
Fred Haynes, 8th Dan is one of the founding instructors of Island Aikido. He spent years in Japan under Gozo Shioda Sensei, developing mastery of techniques and depth of knowledge. Fred's approach to teaching is to combine a fun, energetic class with precision and technical excellence. He embraces Aikido as a mind-body discipline as well as a means of self-defence, confidence building, health, fitness and fun. See History page for further information.
Below: Instructor Fred Haynes and Mark Baker in
Tokyo demonstration with the late Soke Gozo Shioda.
Above: (Left) Instructor Jim Kightley throws an uke
(Right) Former instructor Wendy Seward prepares to throw her partner
Jim Kightley (6th Dan) has trained in aikido for 40 years, studying with Japanese, Canadian and British instructors. Jim and Wendy Seward were instructors at the Waterloo Yoshinkan Aikido club in Ontario during the early 1990s, before moving to British Columbia. Jim was one of the founder instructors of Island Aikido and brings many years of experience in teaching and technical development of Aikido.
Above: (Left) Instructor Judith uses Heaven and Earth throw
(Right) Instructor Randy applies Elbow Breath throw
Judith Berman (5th Dan) joined our club in 2011 after training extensively with Utada Sensei in Philadephia and elsewhere in the USA and the Middle East. She has over 40 years experience of practising and teaching Aikido.
Randy Feuerriegel (3rd Dan) started his Aikido experience in 2004 with the Island Aikido introductory course and is one of many students who have achieved black belt ranking through training with the club.
Of the over 300 students that the Island Aikido dojo has trained since 2004, the following have reached a black belt level at our dojo:
Sandan - 3rd degree:(*) Joined Island Aikido after grading at another dojo.
We welcome high-ranked international guest instructors and visits by Aikido and and martial arts practitioner.