Submitted by VLODKO BARCHUK
The Boundary Martial Arts Club was started in the fall of 2007, by Tae Kwon Do Third Degree Black Belt Master Bo Macfarlane. The club is a satellite club of Grand Master Lee’s School of Tae Kwon Do, located in Abbotsford, B.C. Master MacFarlane is assisted by Vlodko Barchuk, Tae Kwan Do First Degree Black. We hold evening sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the West Boundary Elementary School.
Tae Kwon Do has benefits for all ages.
We accept students from five years of age and up. Incidentally, Vlodko Barchuk is our current eldest member at 68 years of age. There is no fee for attending and discreet financial aid is available for acquiring the Gee or uniform.
Bo Macfarlane was the former vice principal at the Midway high school and then the principal at West Boundary Elementary School. He is currently the principal at Osoyoos Elementary School. Vlodko Barchuk is a semi-retired social worker with many years of experience in working with children and families.
The commitment of the school is to provide a safe structured environment for children and adults to learn, not only the self defence benefits of Tae kwon Do, but to more importantly learn self awareness, self respect and respect and kindness towards others.
Bo Macfarlane and Vlodko Barchuk are able to use their professional experience and knowledge to teach and encourage these values.
The club is open to all, whether they want to progress in formal Tae Kwan Do as well as to those seeking to maintain or improve general health or fitness.
In addition to regular Tae Kwon Do classes, this fall the club launched a free Saturday morning session of self-defense for mothers and their daughters. This session was co-presented with Constable Rene Thompson, Grand Forks RCMP Detachment. This program has an educational component that addresses “potential danger awareness and avoidance” as well as basic self-defense. Boundary Martial Arts Club has been invited to present this program on an annual basis at the high school.