Haven Seto – Head Coach/Program Director
As a child, martial arts were the only thing Coach Haven could ever think about. At an age where cartoons dominated a child’s attention, Haven was being influenced by a wide variety of Kung Fu movies. Since his days as a teenager he has been practicing martial arts and has enjoyed every minute of it.
Over the years Haven has had the humbling experience of learning from great instructors and mentors including Shifu Ronnie Yee, Shifu Shane Kachur and Sifu Doug Ullrich. Along the way he has also learned much from inspiring friends and colleagues from around the world such as Master Andrea Falk, Master He Jing De, Master Li Enjiu, Master Zhang Yanping and long-time friend and business partner Sifu Randy Morris.
Haven understands the importance that Wushu plays in the preservation of the Chinese culture and he loves being part of a group that is cultivating a rich heritage in a growing and diverse community in Saskatoon. Seeing the smile and hard work of students is what ultimately keeps Haven motivated to teaching martial arts and also to continue challenging himself and others around him.
Lindsay Seto – Assistant Coach/Administration
Styles: Changquan (Long fist), Qiangshu (Spear), Daoshu (Broadsword)
Lindsay began Wushu on April of 2007. She went to Wushu because of the different challenge it presented her, but what kept her staying was the physical and artistic aspects of the sport.
One of Lindsay’s biggest accomplishments since beginning Wushu has come from coaching. The joy of seeing kids succeed at the sport and having fun has been the greatest satisfaction for her. It is also her greatest motivation for coaching, the excitement of possibly guiding the prospect of the next big thing.
What Linsday brings to the school is her experience outside of Wushu, she is one of the few at CMA who has competed in both contact and forms divisions. Lindsay hopes the things students take away from the sport are ‘fun’ and ‘focus’, because of the importance both plays outside of the Wushu carpet.
Interesting fact: Lindsay loves animals so during the day she works at a veterinary clinic.
Kevin Mak – Assistant Coach
Styles: Changquan (Long fist), Gunshu (Staff), Daoshu (Broadsword)
Kevin has been practicing Wushu for over 11 years and has spent every one of them as part of CMA. He enjoys Wushu because it allows him to stay physically fit and keeps him mentally in top form. Because as one of the schools highest ranked seniors he understands that everyone looks up to him and he must set good examples.
Kevin began coaching at the age of 15, his first taste of teaching came when taking over while Coach Haven had other commitments.
Interesting fact: In recent years Kevin has taken his passion for Wushu into the world of professional stuntmen.
Jonathan Mak – Assistant Coach
Styles: Changquan(Long fist), Daoshu(Broadsword), Gunshu(Staff)
Jon is the youngest member of the coaching staff but also one of the most experience athletes. Starting at the infant age of 5, Wushu has made Jon mature at a faster rate than kids his age. Instead of playing video games at home, he was usually at the school working his tail off. He really enjoys the physical and mental challenges the sport presents to him and also the freedom to express himself through taolu(forms). One of Jon’s fondest memories during Wushu has been competing at a national level competition, first to do so at CMA.
This year will be Jon’s first year as a coach. He hopes to pass the knowledge that was passed to him by his coaches. He does not want to just see students become great athletes, but also great people. Because Wushu teaches you to be the best you can be and Jon feels that should apply both in the sport and outside of it.
Interesting fact: Jon will be going into grade 11 this fall at Walter Murray Collegiate and is also part of the track and football team.
Nick Horlick – Assistant Coach
Styles: Nanquan(Southern fist), Nandao(Southern Broadsword), Nangun(Southern staff), Drunken Boxing
Nick learned of Wushu through a video game named ‘True Crimes: Streets of L.A’ and found the school through the local leisure guide. Nick started off as a Northerner before switching to Nanquan following a seminar held by World Champion HeJing De.
Nick’s most notable accomplishment has come from coaching, being a coach has made him reevaluate himself like how he evaluates students. Nick hopes he can bring a friendly and comfortable atmosphere to classes.
Interesting fact: Nick is finishing his B.A in Economics and is currently in the process of applying to law school. He is also the drummer for a local band, Antania.
Jordan Gyug – Assistant Coach
Styles: Changquan (Long fist), Daoshu(Broadsword), Gunshu(Staff), Nanquan( Southern fist), Mantis
Jordan developed a relationship with Chinese martial arts for a long time through movies, however was never able to act upon it because of commitments to other sports. However, one day he was convinced by his older cousin to visit CMA. He walked into the school, bowed at the door, kneeled on the hardwood floor and his world changed forever.
Jordan enjoys Wushu because it is a self-progression sport, only through hard work and determination can one succeed at this sport. He loves the fact that you can always do any particular move better pushes you to your fullest potential. One of his biggest accomplishments has been passing the level 6 testing.
His favorite part about coaching has been the satisfactions of seeing students succeed. This motivates Jordan more than anything.
Interesting fact: Jordan enjoys collecting vinyl in his free time.
Jeremy Luczka – Assistant Coach
Styles: Changquan (Long fist), Daoshu (Broadsword), Gunshu (Staff)
Jeremy learned of Wushu when Coach Haven visited his highschool class for a demonstration but never acted upon it until a few years later. But when he did, he found his first true love. What Jeremy loves most of the sport is the constant challenge the sport presents every single practice, it forces him to try his best every day. One of his best accomplishments have been being part of the CMA performance team, he enjoys the fun, family atmosphere the team has with each other.
Jeremy hopes students take away the ‘hard work’ characteristic that Wushu promotes. Because Wushu is an individual sport, one cannot rely on a teammate or partner to help bail him/her out of tough situations. Wushu is solely dependent on the person who is practicing, the greater the effort, the greater the reward. There are no short cuts in this sport.
Interesting fact: Outside of the CMA, Jeremy is an elementary school teacher at Father Vatican. He has also spent a great portion of his time traveling Europe and other countries.