Here are some of the many testimonials we have received over the years from parents and students about the "Kel-West Society of Martial Arts" (the Central Okanagan's longest-running KOREAN Hapkido and Taekwon-Do program (since 1995): Chris Haffenden, age 73, West Kelowna, B.C. Testimonial # 2: Russ and Heather Lambie (formerly of Peachland, B.C., now Prince Albert, Saskatchewan) (parents of Rory Lambie, age 9, Red-Belt Testimonial # 3:
Testimonial # 1:
To whom it may concern:
CHRIS HAFFENDEN (above) is the OLDEST known
student of Taekwon-Do and Hapkido in the history of the Okanagan!
" I enrolled at the Kel-West Society of Martial Arts in 2019, primarily as a stage three cancer patient recovering from chemotherapy treatments. I have found the workouts
to be energizing and refreshing and the self-defence instruction is fabulous ! "
" The Head Instructor has proven abilities in teaching young children, having transformed a number of Westside youths into certified Black-Belts ! Thank you for teaching our son, Rory !
"I have trained at the Kel-West Martial Arts Society for over eight years, mostly to meet new people, for fitness, stress-relief, and to learn some Hapkido. The Head Instructor is genuinely talented
and his young students are, indeed, exceptionally disciplined. The workouts are energizing and interesting. I've lost a lot of weight and feel great!"
Dan Perrett, 1st Dan Taekwon-Do, (Black-Stripe, World Hapkido)(age 61)
West Kelowna, B.C.
Testimonial # 4:
JOSEPH PEART (above) won the Flying High Kick competition with a leap
of 6 feet, One inches. He was the youngest-known child in G.T.F. Canada history
to earn a 1st Degree Black-Belt at 10 years, 11 months.
"Thank you, Kel-West, for being an excellent coach and mentor to my son."
Dennis Peart
Industrial First Aid Officer
(founding director of Kel-West Society)
Kelowna, B.C.
Testimonial # 5
MR. JESSE SKIPPER (above) was a prolific nationally
ranked black-belt sparring champion and the first
West Kelowna black-belt to make TEAM CANADA
in the martial art of Taekwon-Do
"To who it may concern:
"As a parent, I am so proud of Jesse's accomplishments and I thank the Kel-West Head Instructor for teaching my son."
Karen Ensign
Peachland, B.C.
Testimonial # 6:
The Kel-West Society of Martial Arts has become a prolific, martial arts program, known all over Canada for creating many champions. They have also helped propograte the Korean arts to the Okanagan community as an affordable family activity. I highly recommend both the Head Instructor and the school."
Michael D. Hutter, 8th Gup (the "first" Kel-West student, circa 1993)
Journalist, Author
Telkwa, B.C.
Testimonial # 7:
"I believe that the Head Instructor is a special person and perhaps, a role model for disabled people. He is a noted instructor, producing many champion athletes. Please contact me if you have any further questions.
Grand Master Frank Fuller, 9th Degree Black-Belt (I.T.F.)
9th Degree Black-Belt (Hapkido Chang Hun)
Associate Professor of History/Sociology (NJIT, New Jersey, USA)
Philadelphia, Pa. USA
Testimonial # 8:
MELISSA SMITH (above)
was one of our earliest youth
champions. She began training at Kel-West
at the tender age of four and, by age 9, had obtained
her Black-Stripe belt in both G.T.F. Taekwon-Do
and World Hapkido.
In addition, Melissa won seven gold medals
in both free-sparring and patterns between 2001
and 2005 and was voted "Kel-West Student of
the Year" in 2004.