Bainbridge Island Dojo -- Our Humble Beginning

1975 was a very important year. Ron Thom, who had recently moved to Seattle, received a letter from Ohshima Sensei that introduced Kate Joyce. Kate had just moved to Bainbridge Island from Pittsburgh, and was a brown belt who was eager to practice. Through the Bainbridge Park District, together she and Ron started the Bainbridge Island dojo at Island Center Hall. This little blue building became the site of much practice, conversation, sweat, and learning. From this small beginning, the Seattle area developed into a strong group with four dojos, many committed black belts, and countless people who have bowed in at the door of SKA dojos. This book is the story of these dojos, and how the line of Mr. Ohshima's teaching has been passed down through Ron to all of his juniors in the Northwest.

In 1990, Ron and his family moved to Sequim, and the Bainbridge Island dojo was left in the hands of Leo Beer, Robert Conrad, and Dick Friedman. Since then the small group has continued to practice on the island, trying to remember the things Ron taught them, and to learn new things through their own practice.

"One of the saddest days for me in SKA was when Ron moved to Sequim. Now I look back and realize how spoiled we were before then, having Ron to teach us every step of the way. Suddenly we had take responsibility not only for our own practice, but for leading the dojo as well. In the long run I think this was good because it forced us to wake up and to push ourselves, and that is what I now feel SKA is all about."
-Leo Beer, current leader of the Bainbridge Island Dojo