Professor Dan Ladouceur
Professor Dan Ladouceur began his martial arts path in 1973 at Therien Jiu-Jitsu’s Ottawa Dojo. He then spent a brief period at the Ninja Jiu-Jitsu Dojo also in Ottawa. Life and the pursuit of other activities preoccupied him until he decided to get serious again about his martial arts training in 1991.
Under the instruction of Sensei Ray Bond of Therien Jiu-Jitsu, Dan spent the following four years dedicated to his training and earned the rank of Shodan, 1st degree Black Belt, in 1995. He continued his studies under Sensei Bond and in 1997 successfully tested for Nidan, 2nd degree Black Belt.
In 2000, Sensei Dan studied a system of martial arts called Combative Fighting where he learned to breakdown techniques to their core so they could be better understood, developed and countered. By 2005 Dan had worked his way to Sandan level, 3rd degree Black Belt, where he taught classes at OC Transpo in Ottawa. He also taught classes at the YMCA in Orleans, Ontario.
In 2006, he began training with his cousin, Professor Jules Ladouceur, 8th degree Black Belt, in a highbred system of Jiu-Jitsu called Ninja-Ryu. The following year Dan was recognized for his dedication to the arts and was awarded an Associate Membership in the Canadian Ninja Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Fellowship.
In 2007, Dan started training in Kali-Jitsu, the advanced close-quarter armed and unarmed combat system taught to Ninja-Ryu Black Belts. He trained under Professor Ray Zwicker, 8th degree Black Belt and Head Instructor of the Fellowship.
Over the last 12 years of diligent training Sensei Dan earned his Kali-Jitsu certification, passed his Fellowship Yondan, 4th degree Black Belt, Godan, 5th, and Rokudan (6th) Degree Black Belt exams. Currently he is studying Penchat Silat knife techniques with Professor Ray.