Student turned Sensei, David Perry Teaches the Next Generation of Karate Students
David Perry’s interest in karate began in 1992, when he sought out a local way to stay fit after years of commuting for swimming. What he found in karate became more than a means to keep active, and instead became a lifelong passion.
Under the guidance of Sensei David Griffin, who David credits for his ongoing dedication to the martial art, David developed his physical skills in karate along with the sport’s transferable life skills.
Now a third-degree black belt and Sensei at the Windsor Karate Club in Nova Scotia, David shares that karate offers something unique compared to other sports.
“It doesn’t matter what your fitness level is. You start where you start,” he says. Karate teaches balance, coordination, and endurance while encouraging participants to go at their own pace. “You’re not competing with others. You take it at your own time and do it in your own way.”
To David, the mental health benefits provided by karate are just as important.
“The mental aspects—self-respect, respecting others, etiquette, protocol, and goal setting—these are things you can apply to other aspects of your life,” David says.
Given that, it’s no surprise that he loves teaching karate to others, especially children. He admits that stepping into an instructor role in 2022, after Sensei Griffin’s retirement, was daunting at first. Even so, it brought a new level of precision and focus to his own practice.
Beyond teaching techniques, David believes karate helps foster the community in Windsor. With many families engaged in karate tournaments and events, the Windsor Karate Club brings people in the community together.
Funding support through programs like Support4Sport has been instrumental for karate in Windsor, which David admits isn’t mainstream in Nova Scotia. Thanks to this funding, the club is able to host Sensei Allen Tanzadeh, a renowned expert who offers integral professional development to instructors like David.
“Without the help we get from organizations, I’m not sure we’d be able to continue from a financial perspective,” he says.
Thanks to this support, the Windsor Karate Club can continue to offer its students programming that contributes to their personal growth and community connection.
