Where Little Warriors Grow Strong
Age-appropriate martial arts programs that build confidence, discipline, and lifelong skills, from 18 months through to adults.
The Right Program for Every Stage
We're martial arts experts first and foremost. That's why, to develop our program, we sought out top experts in children. That includes child psychologists and experts in how kids grow and develop. Kids build motor skills and cognitive abilities in stages, so we designed our curriculum to work WITH those stages for the most powerful, fun experience possible. The result is game-based martial arts training that truly helps your child in school, at home, and in life.
Tiny warriors learn through movement and play. We develop balance, body awareness, and early social skills using gentle, age-appropriate activities that build their vestibular and proprioceptive foundations.
- Movement & sensory development
- Early social interaction
- Parent participation welcome
Designed around how preschoolers actually learn: through movement, play, and repetition. We develop balance, body awareness, and listening skills using age-specific drills that match their cognitive stage.
- Vestibular & proprioceptive development
- Following multi-step instructions
- Confidence through safe exploration
At six, working memory and attention control are rapidly developing. Our curriculum meets this moment, building pattern recognition, response speed, and the discipline to follow through on tasks.
- Attention & focus training
- Core technique foundations
- Goal-setting & personal progress
This is where cognitive load capacity expands dramatically. We challenge students with progressive skill combinations, teamwork drills, and the mental discipline that builds resilient, focused kids.
- Complex skill sequencing
- Leadership & teamwork
- Emotional regulation through training
Pre-teens thrive with autonomy and challenge. Training intensifies with self-defense applications, sparring fundamentals, and the self-discipline that carries into school and life.
- Self-defense proficiency
- Response inhibition & self-control
- Physical conditioning & confidence
Authentic Okinawan Goju-Ryu karate training emphasizing traditional kata, bunkai (application), and the philosophical depth of classical martial arts. We are a black belt school. It takes 4 to 6 years of dedicated training to attain Black Belt, and all of our Black Belts are certified through the International Meibukan Gojyu Ryu Karate Do Association in Okinawa, Japan, recognized worldwide.
- Traditional Goju-Ryu curriculum
- Kata & practical application
- Internationally certified Black Belt pathway
Explore the ancient weapon arts of Okinawa โ bo, sai, tonfa, nunchaku, and kama. Develops advanced coordination, spatial awareness, and deep connection to martial arts heritage.
- Traditional Okinawan weapons
- Advanced coordination & control
- Historical martial arts lineage
High-energy striking combinations meet full-body conditioning. No experience needed, just bring your energy and leave feeling stronger, sharper, and stress-free.
- Full-body workout
- Stress relief & mental clarity
- No experience required
Structured martial arts programming that keeps kids active, engaged, and developing real skills after school and during breaks. Safe environment, proven curriculum.
- Safe & structured afterschool care
- Holiday & summer camps
- Character development daily
5 Stars on Google
From parents who've seen the transformation firsthand
โMy boys have been enrolled in Sensei Suzanne's classes for about 3 years. Every class has the perfect balance of game play and karate learning. I highly recommend to anyone looking to enroll their child in a program that teaches discipline, respect, determination, and self-esteem.โ
โSensei Suzanne is an amazing teacher. She always makes the class full of fun. When I pick up my son from the class, he always has a shiny smile on his face. If you want the best karate class in town for your kids, Maple Ridge Karate Center is definitely the one.โ
โMy 5 year old loves going every time and has shown really great progress in just a month! Suzanne and her daughter are so great with all the kids and really work one on one if someone is struggling. We can really see the discipline and focus coming out in day to day activities and at school.โ
We Are a Black Belt School
It takes 4 to 6 years of dedicated training to attain Black Belt. All of our Black Belts are certified through the International Meibukan Gojyu Ryu Karate Do Association in Okinawa, Japan, recognized worldwide.
Three Steps to Stronger Kids
Book a Free Trial
Choose the program that fits your child's age and schedule a no-obligation trial class. Takes 30 seconds.
Experience a Class
Your child joins a real class with their age group. Watch them light up as they discover what they're capable of.
Watch Them Grow
Enroll and see measurable progress. Not just in martial arts, but in focus, confidence, and character that shows up everywhere.
Come See The Dojo
Address
20306 Dewdney Trunk Rd #5
Maple Ridge, BC V2X 6E3
Class Hours
Monday โ Thursday: 1:00 PM โ 8:00 PM
Friday & Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 9:00 AM โ 7:00 PM
Phone
(778) 240-0503
skillzkarate@gmail.com
Sensei Suzanne Saccani
Suzanne Saccani has been training in the industry for over 20 years. She has an excellent reputation with working with preschoolers and children. Her Early Childhood Education background gives her an edge with her teaching skills. She understands how children learn and adapts to each student's individual style with patience, humour, and a heart of gold.
Kids respect Sensei Suzanne when discipline is needed, and adore her the rest of the time. Children know she has a heart of gold but respect her when discipline and body control is enforced. She brings the best out of every student by keeping classes fun, controlled, and safe, with high expectations that keep everyone on track.
Suzanne trains under Sensei Frank Clayton (7th Dan Goju-Ryu, 5th Dan Ryukyu Kobudo), a Canadian Black Belt Hall of Fame inductee with over five decades of experience and more than 600 black belts produced. Sensei Clayton opened his first BC dojo in 1982 and later expanded to Maple Ridge. Many of his former students now have children training at our school.
Yondan ๅๆฎต
Meibukan Goju-Ryu Karate, 4th Degree Black Belt
20+ Years
Teaching Children's Martial Arts
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