Monday, June 15, 2026
75.0°F

Steel Wolf Karate stays busy for the summer

CALEB PEREZ | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 11 months, 2 weeks AGO
by CALEB PEREZ
| June 30, 2025 3:00 AM

MOSES LAKE – Steel Wolf Karate has plans to keep busy during the summer months following their break for the Fourth of July and into the future. These plans include expanding their regular classes and getting more involved in creating community activities. 

“There's a lot to be said for just having a productive physical outlet,” said Robert Heale, the owner and head instructor for Steel Wolf Karate. “Kids are full of energy and we’ve got to help them direct it somewhere that’s constructive.” 

The regular karate programs at Steel Wolf will continue as usual throughout the summer with classes for ages 6 and up. They run year-round and only close for about one week each quarter. 

Classes for children ages 4-6 are held through the Karate Cubs program, which has grown to become one of the dojo's strongest demographics since the dojo first opened. 

“Extracurricular activities for that age range are a little bit lacking in our area with how much growth we have with young families,” said Heale. “So that one fills up quick.”  

Steel Wolf Karate just held a private sparring tournament over the weekend with their students currently attending the school. This tournament was designed to prepare the students for future competitions and acclimate them to a tournament-style format, he said. 

“From there, we’re looking at doing maybe a bigger event where the parents can watch next year,” said Heale. “Or possibly visiting some events outside of the Moses Lake area.” 

The dojo has plans to hold a weeklong summer camp August 11-15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost will be $149 per student and open to anyone age 6 and up, whether they already attend classes at Steel Wolf or are looking for an introduction into karate, said Heale.  

The summer camp will feature all the usual karate training with the addition of dodgeball and nunchucks. Students must bring their own water and sack lunch each day, but all other supplies will be provided.  

“They get a lot of real practical defense and all of the emphasis on the character skills that we have in our normal program and then we get to do some fun stuff too”, he said.   

Heale also runs a couple of classes with Moses Lake Parks and Recreation during the summer and year-round. The first is an introduction to the karate program available to everyone, even if they are not enrolled at Steel Wolf, that runs every Saturday for six weeks and is offered once a quarter, year-round.  

The other program is a Tai-Chi class which has grown in popularity with people aged 40-60 years of age.  

“It’s a great one for light exercise, health and wellness,” said Heale.  

Heale said he has plans in the future to offer a women’s self-defense class at the rec center through the Parks and Recreation department with the city. Those interested in any of their classes can sign up for these classes through the city of Moses Lake website. 

“I really enjoyed building a good working relationship with the city of Moses Lake and their parks and rec department, so I’m looking at how I can do more programs with them,” said Heale. 

Steel Wolf Karate

2707 W Broadway Ave. Unit C
Moses Lake, WA 98837
steelwolfkarate.com
509-761-9583
[email protected] 

    Students at the dojo get into a defensive stance during one of their classes. Steel Wolf Karate will be offering a weeklong summer camp in August open to both registered and nonregistered students.
 
 
    One of the older students at Steel Wolf Karate practices during a class at Steel Wolf Karate. Steel Wolf Karate has classes open for ages 6 and up and has been working with the City of Moses Lake to create more classes at the Larson Rec Center that might appeal to an older crowd.
 
 


    A group of students training together in their class at Steel Wolf Karate.
 
 


ARTICLES BY CALEB PEREZ

Erickson looks back on a busy and successful four-sport high school career
June 12, 2026 3 a.m.

Erickson looks back on a busy and successful four-sport high school career

WARDEN — A four-sport athlete is not someone you often come across due to the time and dedication it takes for success in one sport, but for Amaya Erickson, tackling that challenge was something she was up for in her senior season. “My family’s always been really big into sports,” said Erickson. “Both my parents have played and my siblings both play, so I guess they’re all a really great inspiration for me.”

Tigers start summer 3-1 after split with Sunnyside Christian
June 10, 2026 4:40 p.m.

Tigers start summer 3-1 after split with Sunnyside Christian

EPHRATA — The Ephrata Tiger Baseball Club (3-1) finished their second matchup of the season as they split a doubleheader with Sunnyside Christian Tuesday evening. “I was pleased with a lot of aspects of the doubleheader,” said Tigers Head Coach David Tempel. “The summertime is all about development and getting some experience. The good part about (Tuesday) is we were in some different situations that we haven’t seen much, so we were able to learn from those and use those to our advantage.” Sunnyside was the first on the board during game one as they put up two runs in the top of the second inning. The Tigers responded at the bottom of the third as they put up five runs to claim the lead.

Fletcher named new Eagles volleyball head coach
June 11, 2026 3 a.m.

Fletcher named new Eagles volleyball head coach

SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake Eagles volleyball team will be under new leadership this fall as Erin Fletcher has been selected as the new head coach. She is following the successful tenure of the previous head coach, Nikki Noble, who helped guide the team to multiple state appearances over the years. “I’m so excited,” said Fletcher. “I’ve had the opportunity to watch these girls play the last couple years as a (referee). I’m really excited to be able to step in after Coach Noble and continue on that winning and competitive spirit that they’ve had for so long and kind of take it now to the next level.” Her love for athletics came from growing up in an athletic family of basketball players, but in second grade, she became the first in her family to start playing volleyball. From there, a passion for volleyball began to grow.