20th-22nd February, 2026, Los Angeles, USA
Dear Sensei,
You are cordially invited to the 4th annual Pan American Winter Camp.
To register:
Step 1: Pay through PayPal to Avirokah1@gmail.com
Step 2: Fill out registration form in this link
During the camp, we come together to further our studies and understanding of true Budo Karate (Sensei Nishiyama’s system), upgrade and streamline our techniques and training methods, align our standards prior to upcoming competition season, share ideas, and strengthen the bonds of our Budo Karate community.
Regarding the Instructor’s course and certification
During the year WBKA offers a few instructors courses in Europe. The intention behind the LA Winter Camp is primarily to make the instructor’s course and certification easier accessible for WBKA’s US, Canadian, and South American members.
Here is a link to the certification levels.
Regarding the judging portion
This year one portion of winter camp will be dedicated to a judges refresher seminar. The focus will be on practical, hands-on training and is led by Sensei Giedrius Dranevicious. This is an important part of our Winter Camp especially as we move towards competition season.
Participating in this judges training is equally important for Senseis who are not certified judges, but have students competing. To be a good coach for competitors it is important to understand judging and competition vocabulary, flag signs, and rules.
It is also important for each Dojo to develop judges.
Please help us strengthen and grow our community
We encourage you to share this email with any black belt (must be 16) in your Dojo whom you believe is a good candidate for participation.
Please feel free to share this mail with other Sensei’s whom you think would enjoy getting to know USBKA’s teachings and who would potentially be interested in participating in our tournaments. Any new Sensei who wants to bring students to participate at the St. Louis Nationals must attend winter camp first to ensure they understand our teachings and competition rules.
A few important dates to save:
May. 2-3: USBKA National Championship in ST.Louis
Oct. 21-25th: WTKU World Childrens’Cup and World Championship in Croatia.
Warmly welcome and we hope to see all our “Pan American” Budo Karate friends In LA!!!
Please find important seminar information below.
Seminar Instructor: Sensei Avi Rokah, technical director at WBKA and president of WTKF (World Traditional Karate Federation).
Judging Refresher Course Instructor: Sensei Giedrius Dranevicius, official member of the WTKU judging committee and head coach of the Lithuanian team.
Participation Requirement: must be dan-ranked and a Sensei, or Sempai
Location for Fri., Feb.20th and Sun., Feb. 22nd: Rokah Karate, 9218 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. 90035
Location for Sat., Feb 21st: Masonic Temple, 503 S.Catalina Ave., Redondo Beach, CA 90277 (We will meet at Rokah Karate and carpool/Uber together to Masonic Temple- approx. 30 min. away)
Seminar Fee: $175 (instructor’s course, judging refresher seminar, and seminar T-shirt included)
Instructors Exam and Certificate: $100
Dan Exam and Certificate:
1st Dan – $150
Invite: Must be Shodan and a Sensei, or Sempai
Limited space: Space is limited so please do not delay your application if you are planning on participating.
To register:
Step 1: Pay through PayPal to Avirokah1@gmail.com
Step 2: Fill out registration form in this link
Suggested Hotels nearby the Dojo:
Burton House Hotel by Marriott Hotels
Seminar Hostesses/ Contacts:
Michelle Porjes: mporjes@gmail.com
Ruth Rokah: +1-310-691-4897
Seminar Schedule:
Fri., Feb. 20th: (at Rokah Karate)
5:30-7:30pm – instructor’s seminar (Part 1)
Sat., Feb. 21st (at Masonic Temple)
10:00am-12:30pm – instructor’s seminar (Part 2)
12:30-2:30pm – lunch break (group restaurant near venue TBA
2:30-3:30pm- judges refresher seminar
3:30-5:30 instructor’s seminar (Part 3)
7:30pm – group dinner (TBA)
Sun., Feb.22nd
9:30-11:30am – instructor’s seminar (Part 4)
11:30-12:30pm – judges refresher seminar
12:30-1:00pm – lunch at Schnitzely (next door to dojo)
1:00-2:00pm – Instructor’s examination and Dan examination
Please help us grow our community
- If you have any Senseis or Sempais in your dojo that you would like us to invite, please share their contact info with us in the registration form.
- If you know of other Dojos in your area practicing Shotokan that you would like us to invite to winter camp, please share their contact information in the registration form. Please note–Any new Sensei who wants to bring students to participate at the St. Louis Nationals must attend winter camp first so that they will understand our teachings and competition rules.)