History and Lineage

The club was formed in 1985 by Roy Tippenhauer. Sensei Roy originally trained in Comox in the Shito-Ryu Itosu-Kai organization. The Comox club was run by a Sensei Peter Hilhorst who was with Kei Tsumura's group from eastern Canada. In or about 1984 Sensei Hilhorst sought out a man named Akira Sato of Vancouver B.C. Sensei Sato became our Sensei around 1984 and made regular visits to Vancouver Island to give seminars and do belt tests. in 1993 when Ryushu Sakagami died the club followed Sensei Sato's recommendation that we follow the former master of Itosu-Kai, a Seiko Suzuki, and become members of the newly founded Shito-Ryu Seiko-Kai. As time passed our Akira Sato became Master Akira Sato of the Seiko-Kai organization.

Sensei Roy Tippenhauer holds a 5th degree Black Belt in Shito-Ryu Seiko Kai and a 3rd degree Black Belt in Shito-Ryu Itosu-kai.

He is a former provincial and national champion. He holds an NCCP level 3 coaching certificate as well as a Provicial Level "A" refereeing certificate. He began his training in 1980 and received his 5th degree rank in 2001. He opened the Campbell River Shito-Ryu Club in Campbell River in 1985. Sensei Roy is focused on both tournament karate and traditional karate. His tournament and coaching career success has brought Campbell River Shito-Ryu a well deserved reputation.