About Us

By Sensei Bill Hunter

Sensei Andy Pruim and I have followed very similar paths on our Martial Arts journey.  Sensei Pruim and I both began our Karate training in the early 1970’s.  My training was at Tashu Karate in New Westminster and Andy’s was at Bateson’s Karate in Victoria.  We first met as competitors in the early 80’s and did battle on several occasions.  A friendship based on respect and a mutual love of the art soon developed.  In 1982 I assumed the role of Head Instructor for Tashu Karate, then located in Burnaby, when my instructor retired.  Andy established his own large school, Shotowa Karate, in Victoria around the same time.  Tashu is a Japanese term meaning adaptability, Shotowa is the blending of Shotokan, the name of the original style of Japanese Karate, and wa which means harmony.

Things changed for both of us in the mid 80’s.  Sensei Pruim’s career in banking required him to relocate to the Lower Mainland, leaving the Victoria dojo in the hands of his younger brother Wally.  For me the redevelopment of Metrotown mall resulted in the loss of our Burnaby location.  The decision was made to relocate the Tashu program to Douglas College in New West as part of the Continuing Education program while pursuing my career as a high school teacher.  Throughout this time Andy and I would often train together and would see each other at local tournaments. 

It was Andy who first suggested a joining of forces to establish a new dojo although it was a couple of years before the idea really took root and became a plan.  In October of 2007 Andy and his wife Cheryl, and I and my wife Terry established a partnership for Tashu Shotowa Karate and Fitness Centre.  In November of that year we signed the lease on our New Westminster location.  Few brand new dojos have such a long history.

After almost 40 years of Karate training each, Sensei Andy and I are excited to be involved in developing the next generation.  Our goal is to have our students meet and ultimately surpass our own accomplishments.