My name is Rick and I’m a student of an art originating from the Sil Lum Pai – Shaolin Temple.

My journey began down this path in September 2003, at McMaster University in Hamilton. At first, my dedication waxed and waned. I suffered a broken foot my first year of training, which took me out of commission for a number of months. But I knew I loved what I had begun learning and so I returned.

I left Ontario for a number of months in 2005, which took me away from training. But I yearned to continue. Somehow my instructor knew I’d be back. He told me this two years later, when I phoned him out of the blue in October 2007. I’d moved home to Ontario and after settling in Toronto, he invited me to join the class he teaches at Venice Fitness.

I’m grateful every day that I accepted his offer. Martial arts have the power to change one’s awareness of the world around them for the better. Senses of well-being, trust, confidence, and many more are all heightened.

I have a hazy understanding of the origin of my art – consider any history I speak of to be from an oral tradition, because very little of it is recorded history. I’m sure it’s accurate, but I’ve put my own faith into it’s accuracy.

My teacher and mentor, Master Craig is a wise man, though somewhat elusive. His skill, knowledge and insight continue to astound and inspire me. He has a keen and quirky wit, and an infectious charisma. My understanding is that he began his training early in his life in Vancouver, learning from a number of teachers. One of them was Grand Master Olaf Simon, founder of the Temple Kung Fu schools of Western Canada.