Head Instructor - Lori O'Connell Renshi

Lori O'Connell Renshi holds a 5th degree black belt in Can-Ryu Jiu-jitsu and has trained in martial arts for over 25 years. She has trained under Ed Hiscoe Shihan (head of Can-Ryu Jiu-jitsu) in Ottawa and with Steve Hiscoe Shihan in Chilliwack. She completed instructor training with Professor Georges Sylvain (founder of Can-Ryu) and holds her full instructor's license.

As part of her involvement with Professor Georges Sylvain's development of the Can-Ryu 2000 program, Lori was one of the main demonstration models in several of his training videos including The Persuader Key Holder Self-Defense System, Police Pressure Point Techniques and The Use & Application of Pepper Spray Against Dogs.

Lori has taught martial arts for over 22 years in Canada and abroad. She started teaching at her home dojo in Ottawa, moving on to teach at the University of Ottawa. She later moved to Iwaki, Japan, where she lived and worked on the JET Program for 3 years. She started a club there, teaching both Japanese people and foreigners living there. After she finished her teaching contract in Japan, she moved to Vancouver where she eventually founded West Coast Jiu-jitsu in January 2006 (now known as 'Pacific Wave Jiu-jitsu'), which has grown steadily since it started to become the dojo it is today.

Lori regularly teaches seminars at other martial arts schools, at conferences and at local businesses, in Canada, the US and internationally. She was a featured instructor at PAWMA's (Pacific Assoc of Women Martial Artists) annual camps in 2013 and 2014, as well as NWMAF's (National Women's Martial Arts Federation) camp in 2014.

Lori has trained in a variety of other arts to broaden her perspective, including BJJ, MMA, Western Boxing, Shotokan Karate, Aikido, Hapkido, Taichi, Taekwondo, and more besides. Her original introduction to the world of martial arts pre-dating her Jiu-jitsu training was western fencing, in which she competed at the national level and in the university circuit for 7 years. She currently does additional training in Shorinji Kan Jiu-jitsu, KokoDo Jujutsu and Filipino martial arts as a supplement to her activities at her own dojo. Part of her motivation lies in the work she does outside the dojo as a stunt performer in the Vancouver film industry. She firmly believes in continual learning and progress in the martial arts.

In addition to her martial arts training and teaching, Lori has published 2 books. Her most recent book, When the Fight Goes to the Ground: Jiu-jitsu Strategies & Tactics for Self-Defense, was written for Tuttle Publishing, an international publisher of martial arts books. She also wrote Weapons of Opportunity, about her personal experiences teaching and training in the martial arts. Lori also writes regularly on the dojo's martial arts blog.

In addition to her martial arts background, she also earned a BA in Communication, carries Level-1 Coaching certification, and is certified through St. John's Ambulance in first aid and CPR in the rare case of class emergencies. Lori also volunteers as a Big Sister for Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland and as a climbing mentor for Climb and Conquer Vancouver.

"I don't have size or strength on my side, but I've learned to make up for it with technique and tenacity." -Lori O'Connell Renshi