Nedokus and other black belts training at Labadee Beach on the island of Haiti. (Photo submitted)

The Coquihalla Taekwon-Do Club has been busy of late.

On March 5, the club held a grading session, and welcomed two new black belts to its fold.

Both Brianne Duncan, 17, and Chantel Trosky, 14, successfully passed the requirements for their first-degree black belt.

“The testing consisted of a set of patterns, a series of step sparring progressions, as well as some self-defense sparring in one-on-one and two-on-one situations,” Nedokus said. “They were also asked to demonstrate self-defense in getting out of a bear hug, a head lock, a choke hold and so on.

The last week of February saw Coquihalla Taekwon-Do head instructor and fifth-degree black belt Ed Nedokus travel to the Carribbean to take an ITF International Instructors Course.

“It’s a course put on a couple of times a year by the international federation to keep instructors in the know and caught up with all the changes in techniques and training,” Nedokus said. “It’s to ensure that when we go back to our individual clubs and schools, we’re all on the same page when it comes to what we’re teaching.”

Nedokus on board the cruise ship Independence of the Seas off the coast of Florida with fellow Taekwon-Do instuctors taking an ITF five-day course. (Photo submitted)

Nedokus on board the cruise ship Independence of the Seas off the coast of Florida with fellow Taekwon-Do instuctors taking an ITF five-day course. (Photo submitted)

For the first time ever, the five-day course was held afloat — on board the Royal Carribbean Cruise Lines’ Independence of the Seas.

“The trip started and ended in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida,” Nedokus said. “In between, we visited Jamaica and Haiti.

“There were 65 participants in the course, representing 10 different countries.”

On March 19, the Coquihalla Taekwon-Do Club hopes to have a dozen of its members attend a friendship tournament in Vernon.

Nedokus is also looking into the possibility of his club hosting Provincials, although the actual location would likely be Kamloops because of the amount of space required.