Shima Karate transitioned to online Zoom classes when the COVID-19 pandemic began. Now the school has re-opened with new social distancing policies. (Shima Karate Facebook)

By Dan Marshall

Kick Back

Nanaimo karate school among first local sports group to return to in-person classes

Jun 11, 2020 | 7:20 PM

NANAIMO — Shima Karate is back up and running with classes in the dojo, in the parking lot and through video conferencing after being forced to close in March.

New protocols related to COVID-19 have changed the way sessions run, but Sensei Kurt Nordli said it’s good to be back training in-person again.

Nordli said the biggest difference is his students are now sparring from eight feet apart.

“You’re attacking your opponent with punches and kicks and they’re blocking but you’re matching technique. It’s actually a really good training tool.”

About 60 per cent of the school’s students stayed involved during the closure through online classes, which had four to five students working with an instructor.

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Some are continuing to take training online while others have returned to the school’s Barons Rd. location.

There’s room for about 23 inside but if there’s an overflow, training sessions move to the parking lot.

Although the current format should be sustainable for the short term, Nordli is looking to add a new element to sessions soon.

Nordli has discovered some jiu-jitsu athletes, who almost exclusively grapple, have begun adding one sparring partner to their social bubble.

“That’s the next step that I’m hoping over the next few weeks we can incorporate into karate as well,” Nordli said. “Expanding our bubble by that one person so we can do all the hands on training that we need to do.”

Shannon Scarisbrick and her 13-year-old daughter Morgan have stayed active through the online classes and have since returned to the dojo.

Shannon works at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital and felt that with the efforts made by the staff at Shima, a return to in person sessions was as safe as could be expected given the realities of COVID-19.

“For us it’s not just a sport, it’s not just a way to keep fit, it’s a community,” Shannon said. “(Morgan) is a real social kid and needs those in person connections. Coming back to train has been really important for her mental health with only going back to school for one day a week.”

Morgan has trained at Shima since she was in kindergarten.

dan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On twitter: @danmarshall77