Instructor & Black Belts
Steve Hartnett, Godan (5th Degree) Instructor
Steve began training in karate in 1977 in London, England with the Wado- Kai system which was pioneered by Sensei Tatsuo Suzuki. In November of 1982, two years after he arrived in Canada, Hartnett was promoted to 1st degree black belt by Sensei John Montgomery. Hartnett opened Sherwood Karate-Do in 1983 and since then has trained three prominent instructors in 5th degree black belts: Gord Besler (Calgary) and John Watson (Westmout) and 4th degree black belt Kendall Watson (Beaumont). In June 1989, Steve Hartnett, Chief Instructor for Sherwood Park, Beaumont and Ardrossan, officially joined Shihan Demura’s Genbukai organization. Today Hartnett holds a 5th degree black belt ranking in Shito Ryu karate taught by Master Fumio Demura and he was awarded the 2010 Instructor of the Year Award at the 25th Annual Awards Banquet held in Lloydminster. In addition to karate-do Hartnett and other instructors also teach Ryuku Kobudo (weaponry) as learned from Master Demura.
Jeff Hutton, Yondan (4th Degree)
Jeff began training with Steve Hartnett in September of 1983. Hutton has competed internationally and locally and has assisted with instruction over the last several years. Hutton took time off from karate to complete a Masters Degree in Business at the U of A and to have a family. Today Hutton’s daughters Jenna and Alyssa can be seen following in the footsteps of their black belt Dad, winning gold medals at local tournaments and pursuing the karate way of life at the Sherwood Park dojo. Jeff is a true leader in our dojo, often helps instruct a class and also holds a Nidan in Kobudo.
Chris Stockdale, Sandan (3rd Degree)
I remember a shy Chris Stockdale at his first class when he was just 14. Today, Chris has achieved the level of Sandan. Along with his many kumite tournament achievements, Chris has always been one of our kata specialists leading the way in achieving crisp, clean, gi cracking techniques at every karate class. Chris has achieved a 2nd Degree in Kobudo (weapons training) and also practices Batto (swordmanship). He will often teach/lead the class in Kobudo.
Lyndon Friesen, Sandan (3rd Degree)
Lyndon is extremely dedicated to the art of karate. When a tournament or seminar event in Canada or the US is scheduled, Lyndon is always the first to commit. Karate first and then everything else follows. Along with his impeccable attendance, he has accumulated a long list of tournament wins in kata, kumite and kobudo. If Lyndon is not present in class, we all worry about his whereabouts.
Greg Irving, Sandan (3rd Degree)
Greg came into our karate club with a brown belt from the JKA Shotokan system of karate. Irving leads the club in kata gold medals won and has a knack for picking up intricate technical details. Irving lives his art daily and often takes the lead instructing kata classes.
Terry Cox, Nidan (2nd Degree)
Terry started training with us in 2011 along with his 2 children Jordyn & Caden. They both achieved their brown belt levels and have since moved on to pursue University Degrees and their careers. Their Dad still trains regularly at the dojo and is one of the fittest students in the dojo, regularly bringing home tourney loot in kata, kumite, and kobudo. More recently, Terry has completed two half marathons, the Edmonton and the Calgary half marathons with both Jordyn and Caden.