Ranking

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Aikido Students progress through the Colored Belt ranking system (yellow belt through advanced black belt).  Black stripes are earned for each colored belt to mark progress along the way to their next rank.   This system was designed to provide easily attained and visible goal posts.  It constantly undergoes refinements so it may continue to meet the needs of our students.

Weapons class students add a stripe onto the end of their colored belts for each level successfully completed.

Testing

Testing happens when Sensei feels a student is ready for the next level.  Sensei will let each student know when he feels they are ready.  While training diligently toward the next level here are some important points for students and parents to keep in mind.

  • Regular attendance should be a cornerstone of training.
  • Student conduct and focus in class is very important.  Expectations increase with rank and age.
  • Students are expected to be training in the right spirit and not to be too attached to reaching the next level.  The important part is the journey not the destination.  Training diligently with the principles of Aikido in mind will bring students to the next level precisely when they are ready.
  • Students must constantly work to improve their Aikido techniques.  Learning the form is only the beginning.  Polishing the form is an on-going process.
  • Students need to have trained for an appropriate period of time.  The training-hour guidelines will give students and parents an idea for how long it typically takes to advance from one level to the next.  Depending on each student’s development of the points described above, testing may happen with more or less hours than the training-hour guidelines state.

Students and parents are always welcome to talk to Sensei about testing.

 

 

Adult Minimum Technical Requirements

Kyu ranks are awarded by Rock Water Aikikai and the Canadian Aikido Federation while black belt ranks are awarded by Aikikai World Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.

6th Kyu – 40 days of practice
5th Kyu – 60 days of practice
4th Kyu – 80 days of practice
3rd Kyu – 100 days of practice		 2nd Kyu – 110 days of practice
1st Kyu – 120 days of practice
1st Dan – 200 days of practice
2nd Dan – 350 days of practice

 

Youth Belt Technical Requirements

Students under the age of 18 advance through a colored belt ranking system ranging from yellow belt through black belt.  A written test accompanies the technical requirements for each level.  These ranks are all awarded by Rock Water Aikikai.

Yellow Belt – 15 hours of practice
Orange Belt – 25 hours of practice
Red Belt – 35 hours of practice
Green Belt – 50 hours of practice
Blue Belt – 75 hours of practice
Purple Belt – 100 hours of practice
Brown Belt – 150 hours of practice		 Advanced Brown Belt – 200 hours of practice
Junior Black Belt – 250 hours of practice
Intermediate Black Belt – 350 hours of practice
Advanced Black Belt – 500 hours of practice

 

Weapons Curriculum

Ichi Dan Kai – 8 hours of practice
Ni Dan Kai – 16 hours of practice
San Dan Kai – 16 hours of practice
Yon Dan Kai – 20 hours of practice		 Go Dan Kai – 36 hours of practice
Roku Dan Kai – 48 hours of practice
Nana Dan Kai – 60 hours of practice
Hachi Dan Kai – 60 hours of practice

Martin Sensei has an amazing knowledge of Aikido but more than that, he is patient and absolutely wonderful with the kids! Both my 6 year old daughter and 9 year old son are loving working with Martin and I very much recommend joining Rock Water Aikikai!
Paul Moquin
Our 10-year-old daughter joined Martin Sensei’s classes last year and immediately soaked up his professionalism and commitment to Aikido. She has taken up the warrior ethic to give herself new confidence, and practices on her own during these challenging times. Thank you Martin Sensei
Mark Seebaran
Martin is very committed to training his young students. He gave a lot of his personal time keeping classes going during COVID. My daughter progressed successfully to her next belt level despite the closure of her indoor dojo for several months.
Carol Anne Owen
My 15 year old daughter had tried several different sports and activities in the past but couldn’t seem to find the ‘right’ fit until 3 years ago when she started Aikido. Aikido provides her with physical activity, leadership opportunities, a friendship group and sense of community. During COVID it was the one activity she missed most and was happy to know that Rock Water Aikikai acknowledged  this sentiment in their students and quickly adapted to help maintain mental health by offering classes outdoors and following health and safety guidelines. The instruction is about respect, focus and determination but also offers many opportunities to engage and have fun in a non-competitive manner. Student agency is fostered and honored. Rock water Aikikai offers a wonderful wholistic experience for their community.
Emmanuelle
Our family loves martial arts! We did Kung Fu for a number of years and I was therefore very skeptical about Aikido because it’s so different than the typical martial art class, but that was before I met Martin Moreau and witnessed his quality as an instructor. He’s very engaging, the kids are clearly having a good time, are breaking a sweat almost every class and I’ve noticed a clear improvement in my kids ability to defend themselves when we play wrestle. Martin is a one of those rare instructors that inspires respect and loyalty in his students. He’s humble, listens to the feedback provided to him by the kids and the parents. Simply put, he’s amazing!
Samuel Goulet
I am so happy that we found Rock Water Aikido for my 6 year old son. He has never done Aikido before, but even the first day when he had a try-out, he really enjoyed it and wanted to come back. We really appreciate the calmness of the class with fun activities. Our son learns not only physical skills but practices virtues and ethics which is so beneficial - I wish I could attend. I can feel Martin Sensei's passion for Aikido and he has great assistant teachers that my son enjoys learning from. I am so fortunate to find this place, attending a class twice a week is not enough! Thank you again for all your hard work, Martin Sensei!
Yuki
I’ve never seen him so enthusiastic about an activity ever. He’s found his “thing” and loves sharing what he’s learning and is so motivated to keep practising. What (Rock Water Aikikai) is offering is world class.
Christi Kowalewski
My 2 boys joined the dojo after an intro class. One was hesitant to join, he's very athletic but also bulky in build so often shy's away from new physical activities. Since joining 2 months ago his self-confidence and body issues have already started to improve. I also really appreciate the language diversity - as a French Canadian married to a Japanese Canadian - our childen have a space that sounds like home.
Carolynne Clark
My daughter has just told me that she finally found her "thing". Being with Rock Water Aikikai has instilled so much confidence, self discipline and self awareness in my daughters character. She brings home the weekly virtues, putting them into daily practice. She looks forward to every class working toward the next attainable goal, the next stripe on her belt. She speaks so highly of the kind, warm and patient teachers and how comfortable and at home she feels when she goes to Aikido. We can't say enough about how much this program is enriching my daughter's life.
Alyssa Jean Klazek
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  • info@RockWaterAikikai.com
  • Ecole Victor Brodeur School, Gymnasium , 637 Head St, Victoria, BC V9A 5S9

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