Kingston Instructors
The Jitsu Canada instructors in the Kingston area are:Chris Brooks
Chris began his jiu jitsu training at Trent University in Peterborough in September 1995 under Andy Dobie Sensei. In September 1999 he moved to Kingston and established a jiu jitsu club at Queen's University. Chris has been the instructor of the Queen's Jiu Jitsu Club ever since. Chris holds current St John Ambulance Standard First Aid and CPR certificates. He has also completed National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) Level 1. In addition to jiu jitsu, Chris has also studied taekwondo, karate, hapkido, judo and Tai Chi Chuan. He is known throughout Jitsu Canada as Thumper.
Mark Yourkevich
Mark began Jiu Jitsu in the summer of 2001 while studying at Trent University. He began fastidiously training at both the YMCA and Trent University Clubs in Peterborough under Sensei Dobie initially, and later also trained under Sensei Gibb. In the summer of 2003, Mark moved to Ottawa to attend Carleton University. While studying in Ottawa, he trained under Sensei Amelia Croll (Carleton) and Sensei Jon Jamnik (Ottawa YMCA). In the fall of 2004 he relocated to Kingston where he prepared for his 1st kyu grading under the instruction of Thumper Sensei. In the Spring of 2005, he founded the Kingston YMCA Jiu Jitsu Club where he continues to teach. Mark has also had the good fortune to have been able to visit several clubs across the UK including Bristol University, Bristol Town, Edinburgh Uni, and Kings College in London. Mark is certified in St. John Ambulance Standard First Aid and CPR Level "A", and currently holds the rank of Shodan.
Stu Cooke
Stu began his Jiu Jitsu career at the Queen's University Club in Kingston and trained there for several years under Chris Brooks Sensei. Upon graduation in 2005, he moved to England and began training under Nigel Price Sensei and Nicola Price Sensei at the King's College Club in London. Stu returned to Canada in 2006 and resumed training in Kingston under Chris Brooks Sensei and Mark Yourkevich Sensei. Stu opened his own club in Kingston at St. Lawrence College, where he has been teaching since 2008.