New Club Alert: Tahoe Donner Karate Club
Association News
Join Tahoe Donner’s International Karate League Club!
Shihan Walter Nishioka is the founder and chief of the International Karate League (IKL), which he established in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1958. There are 38 IKL dojos throughout the country located in Hawaii, California, Idaho, Utah, Minnesota, Oregon, Missouri and North Carolina.
The philosophy of this style focuses on the “art” of karate. It is an inclusive style that welcomes everyone of all backgrounds. It is a style that promotes good citizenship, friendships and respect of self and others. This is NOT a style that promotes violence or bullying in any form.
Classes teach physical conditioning with an emphasis on improving physical strength, flexibility and balance. Classes also teach proper etiquette, self-awareness and self-defense. There are opportunities for students to participate in IKL karate tournaments held throughout the country. Learning “kata,” a series of karate movements linked together, is the “heart” of IKL and is a highlight of IKL training and tournaments. Students may also learn to “spar,” which are controlled tournament fighting techniques, but it is not emphasized or required.
To become a part of the Tahoe Donner Karate Club, contact Sensei Suz Field at IKLdojo.TD@gmail.com. To learn more about the club, read on!
Eligibility, Memberships + Costs
Eligibility:
- Tahoe Donner residents
- Non-residents as limited space allows
All club members must be at lest 10 years old
Memberships:
- Full ($50 club due): TD residents and immediate family members
- Associate ($50 club due): Non-TD resident (limited)
- Social (free due): Family of full and/or associate members, such as parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings or spouses and prior members who are not participating in karate classes but wish to be involved in social events associated with the karate club
- Social events may include activities such as karate demonstrations, tournaments, belt/rank promotion celebrations, potlucks, karate book club and more
Costs:
- $50 for full and associate membership
- Free social membership
- Paid annual Recreation Pass (available to TD residents) or daily Trout Creek Recreation Center fee
Meeting Info
- Location: Trout Creek Recreation Center
- Dates: Thursdays and Saturdays
- Times: 4-6PM
- Beginners dismissed at 5PM
- Intermediate/advanced dismissed at 6PM
Instructors
- Sensei: Suz Field
- 4th-degree black belt, International Karate League
- Guest Sensei: Cliff Field
- 7th-degree black belt, International Karate League, IKL board member, author of official IKL books
Suz and her husband, Cliff, have been full-time residents/homeowners in Tahoe Donner since moving from Hawaii to California in 2018. They have been practicing and teaching karate together for over 30 years. Suz is a retired family nurse practitioner and professor of nursing. Cliff is a semi-retired family practice physician.
Blog
On July 16, the Tahoe Donner Karate Club participated in an International Karate League tournament in San Diego. Attendees included TD Sensei Suz Field and students Alyssa, Bradly, Jayden and Kayla Flynn. Also attending was TD’s guest Sensei Cliff Field, who in addition to guest teaching at Tahoe Donner also teaches karate at the Truckee Recreation Center. The students competed in both kata and kumite competitions. The TD club then attended a banquet following the competition where Sensei Cliff Field was awarded his 7th degree black belt.
Several club members assisted with preparing competitors for the tournament. A big Mahalo (thank you!) to TD karate club member Denise Kowal who was especially helpful with preparing students for tournament competition.
Tournament results:
- Sensei Suz Field: 1st in kata, 3rd in kumite
- Sensei Cliff Field 3rd in kata.
- Alyssa Flynn 3rd in kata, 2nd in kumite
- Bradly Flynn: 3rd in kata
- Jayden Flynn: 3rd in kata; 1st in kumite
- Kayla Flynn: 3rd in kumite
The club is open to new members; no karate experience necessary. Drop in, participate in class or observe. The class emphasis is to improve balance, strength and flexibility while learning principles of self-defense. Participating in karate will improve overall fitness and is achieved on an individual basis. Go your own pace, your own ability… kumite (sparring) and tournament participation is completely optional.