The story of Shaolin Kenpo in Washington State is definitely not a straight line. Many twists, turns, and bumps have occurred along the way. This and subsequent pages will attempt to share the story from the perception of one individual - Mike Skinner Jr. who began his own journey in Shaolin Kenpo in 1975.
Some of what is shared here is subjective, but there also exists proof of claims which may cast a shadow on the character and integrity of certain players within this saga. The hope was that the ISKA, armed with truthful information would make decisions based on facts and
not the perceptions of one misguided individual. It does not seem to be within the ISKAs interest under the direction of Great Grandmaster Rob Castro to correct discrepancies or provide acknowledgement based on that truthful information.
While that is his prerogative as the recognized head of Shaolin Kenpo, it does not align with what actually took place in Washington State.
This entire site was created to preserve the integrity and truthful history of Shaolin Kenpo in the northernmost reaches of the system. Providing incorrect information that is accepted, unfortunately does not make that information true.
This history will include the sacrifices and accomplishments of Mike Skinner Sr. whom the ISKA declined to adequately acknowledge in 1995. It will also include the reasoning behind Mike's refusal to officially join the ISKA when Great Grandmaster Ralph Castro visited Grays Harbor County in 1995. Lastly, it will detail the actions of an individual who has further splintered the art in Washington State with a unique and misguided version of historical events.
This history will include the plea of active practitioners in Washington State requesting a more accurate reflection of that history as it took place. An accurate reflection in the context of a belt rank that was more consistent with an individual who devoted more than a quarter century to an art. It will document the deafness of the ISKA to right the perceived wrongs that are more than three decades old and the refusal correct that erroneous information. Again, this is their prerogative to do so.
More than anything, this site is meant as a reflection of love from a child for a parent who was not noticed appropriately by his superiors when he should have been. After more than a three year wait for some sort of concrete answer based on the substantial amount of factual information presented, I felt it my responsibility to share this story as it was lived.
I am certain that some of the information contained within this site will upset some of those who are named. Although that is not and has never been my primary intention, it is a necessary byproduct in the expression of that information to show how egregious an oversight and show of disrespect (even if unintentional) the decision by the International Shaolin Kenpo Association was in 1995. The decision affected an entire family that had preserved and promoted their system for over a quarter century.
Sometimes, even the best of intentions result in the failure of a desired outcome. I have largely kept this information private in the hopes an internal solution could be agreed upon between the ISKA and a family that was a cornerstone of the survival of the Castro's art of Shaolin Kenpo. Unfortunately, that did not take place in a reasonable amount of time, so I have therefore chosen to share it with the world. It is unfortunate when recognition in Martial Arts becomes political or based on financial increase and is not based on sacrifice and skill. Gratuitous rank should never be acceptable.
Many of you won't care about what I have to share with you. Others may be upset with the truth being shared in its entirety. To most of you, the effect will have no bearing on your own personal journey in the Martial Arts. Know only that I wish to share history as it took place before that history is forgotten.
Contrary to how this may appear, I have a great deal of respect for Shaolin Kenpo, Ralph Castro and Rob Castro. This respect is inherent respect which-there in appreciation for the training I have undertaken and what it has provided me. Nothing that has been done or could be done will have a bearing on this level of respect.
You expect those you want to look up to do the right thing in all circumstances once information is obtained from all sides. I personally do not feel that was the case regarding my father. The beauty of true respect is that it has to travel in both directions.
Shaolin Kenpo has refused to appropriately acknowledge roughly 30 years of sacrifice by Mike Skinner Sr., has denied an eyewitness-verified recognition to Third-Degree that took place in 1999 for Mike Skinner Jr. and now has refused to place Mark Skinner's name on a lineage site over a year after he received his Black Belt. This begins to look less like the integrity of an Association and more like a smear campaign against a family for a sin that was never committed as they believed it was.
The ISKA response to this narrative will most likely be to remove me from the Association - ironic that it would be for speaking the truth. This is unfortunate, but it was also preventable...either by the ISKA making a decision that all could agree on based on factual information rather than hearsay. Three years of trying to do things the accepted way, as a subservient underling which did not achieve even a modicum of the resolution I sought. Option number two is to place this story here in print that the majority of practitioners in Washington State believe to be the factual version.
I waited a over a thousand days for a decision that should have taken hours based on the significant amount of evidence presented. Three years of doing everything short of begging the ISKA to do what would be considered the perfect solution in an imperfect world. All that was asked of them was to place stripes on an individual's belt as a representation of skill, sacrifice, and to make things right where an error became compounded on all sides over thirty years ago. They have refused to do so. Their action has been to do nothing beyond the offering of a Third Degree Black Belt which would continue to violate their own bylaws.
I have spent the majority of my lifetime exploring Martial Arts in theory and practice and Shaolin Kenpo possesses a significant amount of the pieces needed to be considered a complete art. It is visually beautiful, anatomically precise, and quite deadly in its purest form.
For those of you who practice your Kenpo with integrity and honor, I wish you well.
The rabbit hole lies before you. Dare you travel down it?
The year was 1958. Martial Arts Legend Great Grandmaster Ralph Castro opened his first commercial school in San Francisco, California. He had been trained by William Kwai-Sun Chow while living in Hawai'i to the rank of Brown Belt and received his Black Belt from Edmund K. Parker, who is considered the "Father of American Karate." The differences between American Kenpo and Shaolin Kenpo are numerous. Both are an effective means of self-protection. Among GGM Ralph Castro's initial students were Rick and Maria Warwick. Rick Warwick is listed as one of GGM Castro's first fifteen students to reach Black Belt level. Prior to receiving his Black Belt, he was involved in tournament competition and the following photo was taken with SGM Ed Parker. Please note the patch on the white uniform as being different from the American Kenpo patch that most are familiar with. That patch was the original patch prior to the Internationals which began in 1964.
Rick Warwick poses for a photo with SGM Ed Parker of American Kenpo Karate. This photo was taken prior to the onset of the Long Beach Internationals tournament hosted by Ed Parker that introduced the world to Bruce Lee.
Photo courtesy of John Delia
In 1969, Rick and Maria Warwick opened Aberdeen Kenpo Karate, in Aberdeen, Washington, located on the corner of Market and "H" Street. Among their first Black Belts were Rob Ronald, John Delia, David Wigent, Dick Landberg, John Stead and Wayne Toy. During this period, Mike Skinner Sr. would also begin his training in 1971 with Wayne Toy at a 10-week Introduction to Kenpo class at Emerson Grade School. Following this, Mike Skinner Sr. began training with Rick and Maria Warwick and Wayne Toy at the Warwick home. He continued his private lessons with Wayne Toy during this period.
The floor space at the "H" Street location was limited and only allowed for about 12-16 adult students at a time. As students would receive their Black Belts, life would take them away and eventually the doors at this location were required to close. The Martial Arts revolution brought about by Bruce Lee, The Green Hornet and the Kung Fu Series had not yet piqued interest in the self-protection industry. Also, during this time, the Warwick home, the 4th Floor of the Historic Finch Building and the 2nd floor above the SPAR restaurant were all used as training spaces. All of these locations no longer physically exist in Aberdeen.
Delores (Maria) Warwick, Ralph Castro, and Rick Warwick in 1969 at Aberdeen Kenpo Karate. Please note the crest identically matches the one worn by Ed Parker in the previous photo. This was prior to the name change to Shaolin Kenpo in 1981.
Photo courtesy of Mike Skinner Sr.
John Delia and Wayne Toy training for the California Karate Championships hosted by Ralph Castro. Note the CKC logo on the back of John Delia's uniform.
Photo courtesy of John Delia
Rick Warwick and his wife Delores (Maria) empowered women by teaching them self-defense. In the late 1960s social expectations were far different than they are today. The Warwick family attempted to do their part in changing that.
Photo courtesy of Mike Skinner Sr.
John Delia fighting as a colored belt. Back then ('69-'73), pads were not worn. The consensus of the surviving alumni from this time was that John was exceptionally gifted as a fighter.
Photo courtesy of John Delia
Rob Castro on the cover for the program of the 1971 version of the California Karate Championships. For many years this tournament was second in size only to the Long Beach Internationals.
Photo courtesy of John Delia
Coming Soon: Video of Rick Warwick performing kata from the system at the home of Rob Ronald. Video quality is significantly degraded, but you can tell what is taking place
Video courtesy of Rob Ronald
