Frank Mckenzie is thinking outside the box.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Funakoshi Karate International Australia's (FKIA) head instructor doesn't want the coronavirus pandemic to impact his students' ability to progress.
So with indoor group sessions suspended until further notice, the school is providing virtual lessons on its Facebook page.
"What we're putting on video, are the more essential elements required for a lesson," he said.
Student Josh Suringa demonstrates exercises while Mckenzie records the videos and provides verbal instructions.
The videos are also accompanied by written directions.
It means students get the chance to gain attendance credits that go towards their attendance record for their next grading.
FKIA has four dojos - Warrnambool, Hamilton, Terang and Camperdown - and caters for people of all ages.
Students in the Peewee Karate Program, kids aged 5-7, have the opportunity to get stripes on their belts from the online tuition.
Parents are involved too.
They've got the role of counting their child's repetitions and letting Mckenzie know their child has completed a training session.
More advanced students can also benefit from the virtual tutorials.
They follow a syllabus and can strive towards belt promotions.
"Those more advanced, at this stage, will revise what they have already learnt and will be challenged with new material," Mckenzie said.
While time on the floor is required to get a grading, Mckenzie said he would be doing as much as he could to help students progress under the current circumstances.
Listen to the latest episode of our weekly episode The Main Break:
Some FKIA Warrnambool students were set to go for their black belt this month but that training camp was postponed.
Mckenzie said they could use the virtual tutorials for revision and new challenges.
The head instructor said the online program was for all FKIA dojos.
He's pleased with the uptake so far.
"I've got about 140 Warrnambool students this stuff applies to and about a third have responded," he said.
"I would like to see more."
Mckenzie also owns Body Blitzer Fitness Centre in Warrnambool and is a massage therapist.
His massage therapy business is closed until further notice but he's turned to technology to keep his fitness centre going.
"What we're doing is posting (on Facebook) training plans that can be done at home," he said.
Suringa, who is also a fitness instructor, will lead live online fitness classes.
He'll also run virtual personal training sessions.
We have removed our paywall from our stories about the coronavirus. This is a rapidly changing situation and we want to make sure our readers are as informed as possible. If you would like to support our journalists you can subscribe here.
