Camas Karate to celebrate 20 years

Friday, 6 p.m. No-host dinner, at Angelo's Pizza, 3136 N.E. Third Ave., Camas Saturday, 9:30 a.m. Technical Advisory Committee Regional Examiner's Clinic,at J.D. Zellerbach Elementary School, 841 N.E. 22nd Ave., Camas 10:45 a.m. Open Clinic 1:30 p.m. Region 10 Dan Shim Sa (test) pre-evaluation 6 p.m. Celebration dinner Saturday morning events are open to the public. Robert Shipley III remembers the origins of Camas Karate, when it opened in 1990 as Camas Fitness Center. At that time, it included aerobics and a weight room. "At first aerobics did better than karate, but within about three years, we were pretty much just teaching karate," Shipley said. "We've always tried to serve the community by teaching family values and the value of organization, hard work and preparation." Shipley III and his two sons, Robert Shipley IV and Nate Shipley, were the original owners of Camas Karate. Twenty years later, the business also known as Camas Soo Bahk Do, will celebrate its anniversary Friday and Saturday. Shipley III, now a resident of Rome, Italy, plans to attend. He has more than 40 years of teaching and training experience. Shipley III, a master instructor, trained in Korea while serving in the U.S. Air Force. Anna Oulashin, a master instructor, purchased Camas Karate in 2001. More than 200 members have trained at the local business. Many continue to train, along with grandchildren of some of the original members. "It feels great to be a part of the Camas-Washougal community for the last 20 years," Oulashin said. "We've watched this town grow through good and bad times. We plan to be around for years to come." Oulashin began her Soo Bahk Do training in 1982 in Honolulu, with Shipley III as her instructor. Soo Bahk Do, a classical martial art originating in Korea, includes "explosive" kicking techniques and dynamic hand strikes, according to www.camaskarate.com. In addition to class information online, the website offers 20th anniversary shirts, sweatshirts, aprons, mouse pads, water bottles, coffee mugs and calendars available to purchase. Oulashin has been making the commute from Beaverton, Ore. to Camas for 20 years. In addition to her, the staff at Camas Karate includes Charles Smith, a master instructor, and Helen Bagnall - an assistant instructor who decided to try karate at the age of 45. Twelve years later, Bagnall specializes in Soo Bahk Do training for 3- to 6-year-old members. Camas Karate, previously located at 406 N.E. Fifth Ave., now offers classes at J.D. Zellerbach Elementary School, 841 N.E. 22nd Ave., Camas. Beginner and advanced classes are taught Mondays and Wednesdays, from 5 to 7 p.m. For more information, call (971) 228-5740 or visit www.camaskarate.com.

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