Join us in Celebrating the Year of the Snake 2025
Contact us to try your first class for free
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Lion Dance bookings and rates for the Lunar New Year!
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Lion Dance bookings and rates for the Lunar New Year!
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A Little Bit About Us We are a small Non Profit Multicultural grassroots group made up of local martial artists and students who are passionate about the Art of Chinese Lion Dancing and Kung Fu.
Our Chinese Lion dancing performances are a testament to the artistry and traditions that have been passed down through generations. Elegant choreography, the rhythmic drumming, and the symbolic significance of our performances are a window into a profound cultural heritage. Join us at Ging Wu West for an opportunity to appreciate and understand this time-honored tradition. Instruction will be in both Contemporary, using traditional martial art stances and foot work choregraphed to modern music; and Traditional forms of Chinese Lion Dancing to the rhythmic drumming, cymbals and gong. Martial Arts will be taught with a focus on Wing Chun and Self Defense. Class will be on applications, reflex and skills which will be taught in a non competitive environment that does not focus on ranking. Our goal is to provide a welcoming and safe environment for students to develop confidence building skills, fostering teamwork and a community spirit that is built on integrity, hard work and family fun. We are a local and family run school that is supported by a team of volunteer instructors who share a common goal and passion for the Art. The Year of the Dragon happens to be the same Chinese Astrological sign as Sifu Godwin. Let's celebrate together! |
Performances
- 7th Victoria Girl Guides and Pathfinders,
- Collaboration with the Chinese Dance Victoria for Chinese New Year at the Amica House on Douglas,
- Family Arts Festival at the Cedar Hill Rec. Centre,
- Cultural Kaleidoscope at the James Bay Community Centre - awakening lions,
- 123rd Thrifty's Foods Victoria Day Parade, Douglas Street, Victoria BC
- AfriCa Fest at Centennial Square, Victoria BC
- Folktoria at Centennial Square, Victoria BC
- 56th Annual Strawberry Festival at Beaver Lake
- Victoria Health and Wellness Fair at the Royal Athletic Park
- Out There Arts Festival at Jackson Park
- Grand Opening for Broad View United Church- (Jan 21st 2024)
- Glenlyon Norfolk School (GNS) - (Feb 8 2024)
- Victoria Mandarin School - (Feb 10 2024)
- Collaboration with Chinese Dance Victoria, Carlton House Oak Bay -(Feb 15 2024)
- Family Arts Festival at Cedar Hill Recreation Centre -(Feb 19 2024)
- Premier of British Columbia, David Eby, Hall of Honour in the Legislature Building of BC, Lunar New Year Celebration - (Feb 21 2024)
- Pacific Christian School (PCS) - (Feb 22 2024)
- Birthday Celebration - Happy 90th! (April 6 2024)
- Greater Victoria Art Gallery - Asian History Month (May 19 2024)
- Christ Church Cathedral - Asian History Month (May 31 2024)
- Cameron Bandshell at Beacon Hill Park - Free Class Series: Intro to the basics of Drumming and Lion Dance Foot Work ( Every Wed in June: 5, 12, 19, 26th)
- AfriCa Fest - (June 22 2024)
- The Cridge Centre for Families - (June 25 2024)
- 2024 Strawberry Fest - (July 7 2024)
- 2024 Mid-Autumn Festival, Nanaimo, BC - (Sept 14 2024. Click link below to view video)
- 2025 Girl Guides Canada - January 15 2025
- 2025 Glenlyon Norfolk House - January 27 - 2025
- 2025 Victoria Mandarin School - February 1 - 2025
History and Lineage
Sigung David Chan began his martial arts journey in Hong Kong at the age of 13 years old. After receiving his Brown Belt in Judo, he enrolled in a Wing Chun school taught by the legendary Master Ip Man. He studied with Ip Man in the class before the well known martial artist, Bruce Lee.
Sigung Chan trained hard and trained continuously in Wing Chun before leaving Hong Kong in 1960 for work before immigrating to Canada in 1965.
While in Canada, Sigung Chan began teaching Wing Chun privately. In 1969, Sigung David Chan and Sigung Stan Lee were the original founders of the Canadian Ging Wu in Edmonton, Alberta. Shortly after, Sigung Tom Ng joined as the Chief Instructor for Tai Chi Praying Mantis. At that time, the Canadian Ging Wu taught 3 different styles of martial arts: Tai Chi Praying Mantis, Wing Chun and Hung Gar.
Currently, they have added multiple martial art styles, and there are now 3 different martial arts schools that can trace their lineage back to the Canadian Ging Wu.
Sifu Godwin Chan began his training in Tai Chi Praying Mantis at the age of 8 yrs old before training in Hung Gar with Sigung Stan Lee, receiving his Black Sash in 1997. By 1999 he had completed the system of Wing Chun under the tutelage of his father, Sigung David Chan, Sifu Frankie Wong and Sifu Barrie Schula.
In 1999, Sifu Godwin relocated to Victoria, BC where he continued in his journey of martial arts by teaching for 22+ years to the local kung fu club in Chinatown. In 2022, Sifu Godwin founded the Ging Wu West Lion Dancers and Martial Arts School in Saanich (Victoria, BC). Overall, Sifu Godwin Chan has trained for 40+ years and has completed the Wing Chun (Yong Chun Quan)system, received a black sash in Hung Gar and Hung Fut, and trained in Tai Chi Praying Mantis.
In honour of his father, the Late Sigung David Chan, Sifu Godwin will be teaching martial arts with a focus on Wing Chun.
Sigung Chan trained hard and trained continuously in Wing Chun before leaving Hong Kong in 1960 for work before immigrating to Canada in 1965.
While in Canada, Sigung Chan began teaching Wing Chun privately. In 1969, Sigung David Chan and Sigung Stan Lee were the original founders of the Canadian Ging Wu in Edmonton, Alberta. Shortly after, Sigung Tom Ng joined as the Chief Instructor for Tai Chi Praying Mantis. At that time, the Canadian Ging Wu taught 3 different styles of martial arts: Tai Chi Praying Mantis, Wing Chun and Hung Gar.
Currently, they have added multiple martial art styles, and there are now 3 different martial arts schools that can trace their lineage back to the Canadian Ging Wu.
Sifu Godwin Chan began his training in Tai Chi Praying Mantis at the age of 8 yrs old before training in Hung Gar with Sigung Stan Lee, receiving his Black Sash in 1997. By 1999 he had completed the system of Wing Chun under the tutelage of his father, Sigung David Chan, Sifu Frankie Wong and Sifu Barrie Schula.
In 1999, Sifu Godwin relocated to Victoria, BC where he continued in his journey of martial arts by teaching for 22+ years to the local kung fu club in Chinatown. In 2022, Sifu Godwin founded the Ging Wu West Lion Dancers and Martial Arts School in Saanich (Victoria, BC). Overall, Sifu Godwin Chan has trained for 40+ years and has completed the Wing Chun (Yong Chun Quan)system, received a black sash in Hung Gar and Hung Fut, and trained in Tai Chi Praying Mantis.
In honour of his father, the Late Sigung David Chan, Sifu Godwin will be teaching martial arts with a focus on Wing Chun.
Wing Chun (Yong Chun Kung Fu)
Legend has it that Wing Chun is a style created in China by the female monk named, " Ng Mui" who named the system after her favourite student, " Yim Wing-Chun."
Wing Chun (Chinese: 詠春 or 咏春, lit. "singing spring") is a style of martial arts originating from southern China. It is a defensive style designed for close range attacks. Wing Chun does not focus on strength alone, but uses the opponent's energy and strength against them. That is, simultaneously deflecting and intercepting their strikes to gain the opponent's centerline. Wing Chun also relies heavily on Chi Sao, which is the practice of tactile sensitivity to use an opponent's force against them during an attack.
This is an ideal martial art that teaches focus, balance and body awareness, and is suitable for people of a smaller stature who wish to learn self defense.
Wing Chun (Chinese: 詠春 or 咏春, lit. "singing spring") is a style of martial arts originating from southern China. It is a defensive style designed for close range attacks. Wing Chun does not focus on strength alone, but uses the opponent's energy and strength against them. That is, simultaneously deflecting and intercepting their strikes to gain the opponent's centerline. Wing Chun also relies heavily on Chi Sao, which is the practice of tactile sensitivity to use an opponent's force against them during an attack.
This is an ideal martial art that teaches focus, balance and body awareness, and is suitable for people of a smaller stature who wish to learn self defense.
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Get In Touch
$ 15.00 drop in for Lion Dancing or Martial Arts --> can be put towards your monthly fee.
$ 45.00/month for Lion Dancing
or
$ 55.00/month for Kung Fu
or
$ 65.00/month for Lion Dancing, Kung Fu and Drumming
Accepting New Students
Recruiting for our All Female, Males and Co-Ed Teams!
Adults, Youths, Teens, Multicultural & Gender Inclusive
*** Lion Dancers for your Special Event ***
Grand Openings / Special Occasions / Weddings / Festivals / Celebrations
$ 45.00/month for Lion Dancing
or
$ 55.00/month for Kung Fu
or
$ 65.00/month for Lion Dancing, Kung Fu and Drumming
Accepting New Students
Recruiting for our All Female, Males and Co-Ed Teams!
Adults, Youths, Teens, Multicultural & Gender Inclusive
*** Lion Dancers for your Special Event ***
Grand Openings / Special Occasions / Weddings / Festivals / Celebrations
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All rights reserved II copyright 2023 II No portion may be reproduced or duplicated without the expressed written authorization of Ging Wu West and Ging Wu West Lion Dancers
All rights reserved II copyright 2023 II No portion may be reproduced or duplicated without the expressed written authorization of Ging Wu West and Ging Wu West Lion Dancers
