Our Instructors

Please read about our instructors. 

Fortunato Restagno

Position at Grand River Karate
- Grand River Karate Board of Directors
- Chief instructor
- 4th Degree black belt in Shido-kan Beikoku Association
- 4th Degree black belt from the Kai-Shin Association
- Organize seminars and events
- Marketing and advertising coordinator
- Member of the North American Beikoku Association

Background
- Training since 1979
- Sensei Jake Klaus until 1994, Sensei Monty Guest until 2002
- 1996 started with Grand River Karate as a board member under Chief Instructor Brian Dingle
- Chief Instructor since 2002 to present
- Active in karate competition up until 1992. Tournament territory was Ontario, Quebec and New York State
- Received approximately 150 awards in kyu and black belt competitions .

Occupation: Brand Specialist for The Personal Coach. A company that supplies one-on-one customized business solutions for Financial Advisors across Canada. www.thepersonalcoach.ca

Why I started
As a teen I was very fascinated by the art. I admit most martial arts films are silly but I still had to watch them all. A black belt instructor taught a few classes at our high school and I was immediately hooked.

Why I like Shido-kan
I have had the opportunity to be exposed to other martial arts. Shido-kan seems to encompass several of the arts. The styles roots are very historical and traditional. The applications are very efficient, fluid and scientific. As I get older I want to be able to continue my training. I find Shido-kan is body friendly. Practitioners in their 70's and 80's are still training in this style. Also, Iha Sensei, head of the Beikoku Association, is a remarkable karate-ka and individual. His association is very supportive, friendly and is consistent on how it teaches the content. Sensei Roy Paul, head of the Shido-kan Canada, has also been a great friend, teacher and support to all the members at our dojo.

What I enjoy about teaching
I learn so much about karate technically and it keep my confidence in tune. As Sensei Roy always says, when you teach you learn twice. Teaching is similar to mastering an effective technique. My continuous personal teaching challenge is to get the point across as effectively as possible with the least words as possible. Teaching has benefited me in surprising ways outside of the dojo with public speaking and taking on new positions. I enjoy the moments in class when a student suddenly "gets it." In some ways karate is not linear. As a student you practice hard and repeat moves over and over and then suddenly, with out warning, it makes sense. Whether it's a technique or personal development continuous hard training pays off. To see a student progress as a person makes our community a better place.

Other Interests
Art, cartooning, photography, cross country skiing, mountain biking, hiking, reading and occasionally acting like an idiot.

Scott Agar

Position at Grand River Karate
- Instructor
- Treasurer, bookkeeper and registrar
- 2nd degree black belt in Shido-kan Beikoku Association
- 2nd degree black belt Kai-Shin Association
- on Grand River Karate Board of Directors
- Member of the North American Beikoku Association

Background
Rank:
Shodan: Shorin-Ryu Shido-kan Assoc.
Nidan: Chito-Ryu

Year started karate: Jan. 1 1988
KW Karate
Sensei Jake Klaus

Karate Achievements
I received my Second Dan Certificate in January of 1999 from Sensei Monty Guest. That was certainly one of the highlights of my martial arts training. Now my fulfillment comes from passing on the knowledge I have accumulated while learning even more for myself. The quest for title or Dan ranks has long ago become secondary in my training.

Occupation
Computer Assisted Ordering Manager
Zehrs Markets Ltd.
Loblaws Companies Ltd. East


Why I started
Steve Stapler was a Wide Receiver for the Hamilton Tiger Cats and a leading Receiver in the CFL. He was also a Black Belt in Karate. I watched an interview with him in which he expressed the importance of both functions in his life and how they both enhanced each other.
I played Hockey Goalie and still do, and thought that martial arts would be a fitting tool to help improve my play. Like Steve Stapler, I can freely say that each has helped the other. Karate has improved my flexibility, agility and eye to hand coordination, while hockey continually teaches me how to lose gracefully.

Why I like Shido-kan
Training under the umbrella of the Shido-kan Association has been a good experience for myself. Many factors come into play here. First there is the unequalled experience of training under the eye of a well-known and rare Tenth Dan. Furthermore, he makes you feel as if you are training with him as opposed to him training you, so I would like to give a very special thank you to Iha Sensei for his time and attention.
Shido-kan Association however, brings with it many more talented and very experienced individuals with it. Every year you are welcome to attend a National Training Seminar that puts you close to hundreds of Black Belts all trained under the same format. Experienced Martial Artists from all over the globe are there in Michigan to share their knowledge with you and each other. It is certainly the opposite of the testosterone contests of the tournament circuit.
The one benefit that I would point out most in the format of Shido-kan training is the constant use of partner work. This much contact with other Karate-ka can only help to hone one's skills. I do believe that this much contact even at the white belt stage prepares an individual much more quickly to the point of being able to actually and practically defend one's self.

What I enjoy about teaching
Teaching has many rewards. It is an adrenaline high. It is completely different from my work day. Teaching students always reminds me of a time when I was in exactly their position. This happens with the adults as well but kids amplify the experience of seeing how they are when they first start training and how they later reflect all that you have taught them. That is truly rewarding.

Other Interests
Hockey, fine art, military history

Torsten Huhse

Position at Grand River Karate:
- Instructor
- 2nd degree black belt North American Beikoku Association (1 Dec. 2007)
- Chair of the board of directors
- Member of the North American Beikoku Association

Occupation
Electrician

Rank
2nd dan Black Belt

Year started karate
I began in 1987 in Berlin, Germany (one year), then I began in 1991 here with Grand River Karate after moving to Canada. (1st degree black belt from Kai-Shin Association in January 1997)

Why I started
Primarily for self-defense and fitness, and I was looking for something different from work (a hobby/interest).

Karate Achievements
As a result of karate in my life, I am a more centred person, calmer and more patient when faced with difficult situations. I have attended many seminars and karate camps over my years of study and especially enjoyed attending the International Shido-kan conference last summer in Lansing, Michigan. e.g. Personal growth, awards, experiences

Why I like Shido-kan
It's a very structured method with excellent self-defense applications. More importantly, I enjoy working out with fellow club members and have been impressed and admire the higher-ranking Shido-kan instructors I have met, especially Iha Sensei.

What I enjoy about teaching
I enjoy sharing my karate skills with others, helping them to achieve their personal goals. I have had many good teachers over the years and hope to take their best qualities and make any class I teach a rewarding, exciting experience for the students.

Donald Shelton

Position at Grand River Karate
- Grand River Board of Directors
- Iinstructor
- Educational Consultant for Kids' Class Focus Booklets
- President of the GRK Seniors Travel Club

Background
- Shodan Black Belt in Shorin-Ryu Shido-kan (Nov. 2010)
- Training in Shodokan and Shido-kan at Grand River Karate since 2002

Occupation
- Teacher, Waterloo Regional District School Board since 1974
- Retired in 2004 but I continue to supply teach with the Board
- Teaching specialist in Special Education, Guidance, and Physical Education
- President of FSSF WW2 Italy Memorial Fund

Why I started
I have always been an active person and was especially involved in intramural and teamsports in my schools. As a health teacher and spokesperson for the Heart and Stroke Association I knew the benefits of an active life style but I often lacked the motivation to get out there! When my father died prematurely from ALS and my younger brother from an aggressive brain tumour, I gained a new appreciation for my ability do challenging physical things and press myself to new limits. Both my daughters had trained in karate, first with Jake Klaus and then at Grand River under Brian Dingle. Not surprisingly, they often talked of their favourite instructors, Sensei Fortunato and Sensei Scott. So at the age of 56 I joined the adult class at Grand River and believe it is one of my best life choices. It has been instrumental in keeping my mind and body challenged while training with people I respect and now consider part of my extended family.



Why I like Shido-kan
The Shido-kan style is always building on basics. We continually practice our blocks, kicks, punches, stances and movement transitions. Everyone is progressing from the level they are presently at, and working to improve and learn new things. Even high ranking black belts readily admit they are working on some aspect of Iha Sensei's teaching, trying to achieve his level of expertise. We are all students, we all learn from one another and share a love for this cultural art form from Okinawa. Shido-kan also teaches us to be persistent, to work hard for your goals in life, to seek the wisdom of others, and share what we know in a spirit of friendship and humility. Shido-kan calls on you physically, mentally, and spiritually and can help you meet life's challenges. It is "the way of the path of the warrior" and can keep me focused on my priorities in life.

What I enjoy about teaching
Teaching is about performing and there is a little "ham" in all of us. I try to model for others what I have been taught, and bring a touch of humour into very lesson. I particularly like breaking down a move into several parts and then seeing the delight in the students' faces when, or if, it all comes together. The Shido-kan style always starts with teaching basic building blocks so that students have a strong foundation of skills to progress from. As a special education teacher, I believe every student needs to receive some positive feedback in every class and and that we need to reward effort and offer regular encouragement to improve self confidence. Every class needs to experience several teachers, and teaching methods, in an attempt to meet the different learning styles that exist in the group. I enjoy the challenge.

Other Interests
Cycling, skiing, horseback riding, scuba diving, parachuting and world traveling. The
common expression in my family is –" You've gone too far this time Don!"