Yobukan Karate Club offered in Redwater

By Myrina Carter

Justin and Jenny Rybie created Yobukan Karate Club in 2009, and their club is currently offered in Redwater and Gibbons a few days a week. Local to Sturgeon County, the pair brought in their two children, who also help teach and run the club. The family teaches all ages, from age 4  to people in their 70s. The karate club runs annual summer camps and holds tournaments locally. Jenny Rybie said, “Our club will also be looking to compete in the international tournament, Bogu Cup in 2024.”

Sensei Justin has trained for the past 32 years and is a Godan, a fifth-degree black belt in Chito Ryu Karate, and he is also the head Sensei in the Yobukan Karate Club.  When Justin and Jenny moved to the area, they noticed there were no martial arts clubs, which fueled Justin’s desire to start his own, resulting in the birth of the Yobukan Karate Club.  Jenny Rybie said, “We wanted to bring another option for kids and teens to keep them busy and off the streets in the evenings. Over the years, the club has turned into a second family for us, and the members, new and old, are our own little community that we cherish.”

One of the most significant opportunities karate offers all who participate is the chance to learn self-defence. But it is also a great way to build confidence, and willpower encourages self-discipline and promotes a healthy body and weight. Joining karate can also help with stamina, flexibility, and overall mental well-being.

Jenny Rybie said, “Our motto is, never give up, and we always make sure our students finish what they start!”

The Yobukan Karate Club can be contacted on Facebook at Yobukan Karate Club or through their website at yobukankarate.com.