Photo by Curtis Galbraith.

By Curtis Galbraith

Community

Shorinryu Karate Club celebrating 40th anniversary

Aug 10, 2025 | 6:00 AM

Grande Prairie’s Shorinryu Karate Club is marking its 40th anniversary this year.

A celebration is planned for August 16.

Chief Instructor Joe Alfonso says he started the club in 1985 after graduating from university with a second degree and was unable to find any work in what he was trained to do.

“I’m originally from Montreal and my friend was out here teaching at the college and going to the gym and he said the gym owner was interested in having a karate club (if) you want to come out.”

“They paid for my airfare, (I) started up a karate club and I’ve been doing it ever since.”

Alfonso says he also got as part-time job teaching math at what is now Northwestern Polytechnic.

He says the club started at JJ’s Fitness Centre close to the current location of Midas Muffler. In 1987, it moved to where the Salvation Army Food Bank is now located before moving again to the current facility on 101 Avenue downtown, next door to the Oasis Church.

There are also clubs now located in Beaverlodge, Sexsmith, Valleyview, Grimshaw-Peace River and Fox Creek

The original expansion was out to La Glace in 1989. That location does not operate anymore.

Alfonso says he teaches 24 classes and drives 1000 kilometres each week.

Alfonso estimates 4500 students have received instruction over the last four decades at all the clubs.

“Karate is something that a lot of people will start, especially kids. They don’t like doing all those push ups, sit ups and leg raises as part of our warm ups, so, sometimes they don’t stick around for very long.”

“Those that do succeed very well.

He outlined some of the successes his students have achieved.

“My students have won over 1900 medals in tournaments since I’ve opened the doors. Thirty-seven have come from national tournaments. I have one national champion and three medals at the international level.”

Alfonso says it feels good to see his students succeed because it means he has done the right thing. When they don’t, he wonders what he has done wrong.

The celebration on August 16 will include free beginner classes.

These are for 5-9 years olds from 2:30-3:30, 10-13 year olds from 3:30-4:30 and 14-adult from 4:30-5:30.