Mr. Howes has trained in the traditional style of Taekwon-Do since he was a child and began learning how to teach the martial arts in his early teens. Over the years, Mr. Howes has had the privilege to train directly under the founder of Taekwon-Do General Choi, Hong Hi 9th Degree Black Belt, and has travelled the world as a direct assistant to General Choi’s only son Grandmaster Choi, Jung Hwa 9th Degree Black Belt.

Mr. Howes has travelled the world in the pursuit of Instructing and learning Taekwon-Do: Travelling as a personal assistant to ITF Grandmasters Mr. Howes has travelled to the following countries

Buenos Aries, Argentina

Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Tervuren, Belgium

Moscow, Russia

Bochum, Germany

Mr. Howes has also been the Head Coach for Team Canada at both the 2004 World Championships in Daejon. South Korea and the 2006 World Championships in Melbourne, Australia. He has also trained at numerous seminars around the globe under the direct training of Grandmasters and Masters of the art.

Mr. Howes is actively involved in the furthering of the art of Taekwon-Do and has been the driving force behind the Masters Class DVD Instructional series as well as LFMA’s own DVD curriculum.

Mr. Howes is a fantastic animated instructor who always has time for his students, having trained several students over the years to the highest levels of competition as well as the highest levels of personal growth and achievement.

Mrs. Sonya Howes is the Head Instructor of LFMA, she personally oversees and developed the Lightning Strikes Kinder Program with Mr. Howes and is directly involved in the day to day operation of the club.

Mrs. Howes is an active competitor as well as Instructor having been a Multiple Gold medalist Regionally, Provincially and Nationally. In 2004 Mrs. Howes represented Canada as member of the Canadian Womens Team and as an Individual Competitor at the Taekwon-Do World Championships held in Daejon, Korea. She achieved multiple Medals Individually and in the Team Competition. On February 29, 2008 Mrs. Howes successfully graded to her 4th Degree Black Belt under the CTFI Technical Director Master Pierre Laquerre VII Dan and the CTFI President Master Clint Norman VII Dan. Mrs.Howes earned a Bronze Medal in 4th Dan Patterns at the 2008 World Cup in Italy.

Mrs. Howes receiving the Silver Medal for Individual Patterns at the 2004 World Championships

Mr. and Mrs. Howes met through Taekwon-Do and are currently very active in the Taekwon-Do Community of Canada. having been featured in several magazines and newspapers. Mr. Howes is considered a leading authority on the Traditional style of Taekwon in Western Canada, and Mrs. Howes is considered one of the top female martial artists in Canada. Combined they make a fantastic team. The Lightning Family Martial Arts club is one of the top schools in the country due to their Instructional abilities and teamwork.

LFMA has been producing excellent martial artists and students since its doors opened in 1998. Now, almost 10 years later it has become one of the premiere Traditional Taekwon-Do schools in Canada, with some of the most knowledgeable and experienced teachers in all of Canada.