About the Kel-West Society of Martial Arts:
Established at the former Westbank YM-YWCA on October 1st, 1995, the Kel-West Society of Martial Arts is the Central Okanagan's first and oldest Hapkido and Taekwon-Do, not for profit institution.
We have introduced the Korean martial arts to over 1,200 Okanagan residents and to two generations of students.
Master R.J. Smith, (left) (who began his martial arts training at age 18, and in September of 1975) is a certified 7th Degree Black Belt in both the International Hapkido Federation (Chang Hun) and the I.T.F. Chang Hun Taekwon-Do, with 49 years of experience, including 32 years of m.a. teaching experience.
Master Smith is also the pioneer of the martial art of Hapkido here in the Okanagan Valley, having founded it in West Kelowna, back on October 1st, 1995.
The Kel-West Society of Martial Arts (registered, non-profit organization) is affiliated with the I.T.F. CHANG HUN TAEKWON-DO group and the INTERNATIONAL HAPKIDO FEDERATION (CHANG HUN)
Master Smith also serves as the authorized Canadian representative for I.T.F. Chang Hun and International Hapkido Federation and is the 2024-2025 Chairperson of the Public Relations and Media Committee for both groups.
To visit the website of the I.T.F. Chang Hun and the International Hapkido Federation (Chang Hun), please click: here For more information on joining the I.T.F. Taekwon-Do Chang Hun and or the International Hapkido Federation (Chang Hun), please write to: instructor@kel-west.org