Mr. Darius Andaya is the founder of DSA Royal International Taekwondo Club. He started his Taekwon-Do career in 1983 at the age of 12 with the Philippine International Taekwondo Jido Kwan Association under Mr. Johnny Morris Arsol(Hapkido). At the time, ITF taekwon-do in the Philippines was not as popular as it is now. Mr. Andaya quickly became one of Mr. Morris' top students. In 1988, Mr. Andaya was promoted to I Dan Black Belt and became a Certified Principal of Taekwon-Do under the supervision of the Jido Kwan Main Temple and the Korea Taekwondo Association and in 1990 promoted to II Dan Black Belt.

On that same year, Mr. Andaya started teaching his art to a small group of friends in his neighborhood. Ultimately, the club became known as the St. Michael Taekwondo Club and members came from all over the city. At one time the number of students grew to more than 60 students in one training session.

In 2000, Mr. Andaya moved to Vancouver, BC. He taught taekwon-do at The Cage Martial Arts Centre in 2003. At the same time he studied Arnis, the filipino art of stick fighting under Datu Shishir Inocalla (IMAF Philippines, Michaelangelo of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles).

In 2007, seeing that his children are at the right age to start training, he began teaching them through the Surrey School Board Facilities. They began inviting their friends and classmates to join. Thus, the DSA Royal International Taekwon-do club was born. As the club size grew, the need to compete and be a part of the ITF family became evident. If the young students were to be black belts someday, they have to be recognized by the ITF. Mr. Andaya contacted the ITF and has since been affiliated with the International Taekwondo Federation through the mentorship of Mr. Hal Lipscombe, 6th Dan, of the Pacific Rim Institute of Taekwon-do in Port Coquitlam.

Since Mr. Andaya's II Dan Black belt from the KTA (which is now under the World Taekwondo Federation) is not recognized by the ITF, Mr. Andaya was given a 1st Dan black belt designation with a chance for an early retest for 2nd Dan Black Belt. In March 2009, Mr. Andaya received his 2nd dan belt from the ITF.

Aside from his weekly training schedules in Vancouver. Mr. Andaya attends Mr. Lipscombe's classes in Port Coquitlam as well as the monthly Saturday classes hosted by the ITF of BC.

In October 2008, he attended the annual President's seminar presided by Grandmaster Tran Trieu Quan (IX Dan, ITF).

In November 2009, 10 delegates from DSARITC (including Mr. Andaya participated at the 5th annual Friendship tournament and received a total of 17 medals (6 gold, 6 silver and 5 bronze medals). DSA received gold in patterns and silver in sparring)

April 2010 Mr. Andaya, with son Manuel, attended the 52nd Annual International Instructor's Seminar in Denver, Colorado and received certification as an International Instructor.

May 1, 2010, 7 delegates participated at 2010 BC Provincial Tournament held in Vernon,BC. (received a total of 13 medals (7 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze medals). Mr. Andaya received gold in Patterns, Silver in Powerbreaking and Bronze in Sparring.

In May 2 2010, he attended the Umpire Seminar in Vernon,BC and received certification as a Class B Umpire.

December 2010: Received 3rd Dan Certification.

Mr. Hal Lipscombe

Mr. Hal Lipscombe, 6th Degree Black Belt, started teaching Taekwon-Do  in Port Coquitlam, B.C. in 1985 and when promoted to 1st. Degree Black Belt in 1988 Mr. Lipscombe formed Pacific Rim Institute of  Taekwon-Do and started teaching through Port  Coquitlam Parks and Recreation Department. At this juncture of his career Mr. Lipscombe was under the guidance of his Instructor, Mr. John Roussel who was a 6th Degree Black Belt with the International Taekwon-Do Federation.

The School started out very small and over the years has remained  in the 40 to 50 student range by design. The philosophy of Mr. Lipscombe has always been “Quality” vs. “Quantity” thus the reason for small  classes.

Upon receiving his 4th Degree Black Belt on March 25, 1998 Mr. Lipscombe became an International Instructor with the International Taekwon-Do Federation and trained under the mentorship of Master Andre Blake, 8th Degree Master until Master Blake's untimely death  in  May of 2001. Since then, Mr. Lipscombe has been on his own.

Though the years Mr. Lipscombe has attended 6 International Instructor Seminars, 4 conducted by the late General Choi Hong Hi, (the Father of Taekwon-Do and the President of the International   Taekwon-Do Federation) and the last 2 lead by Master Tran, President  of the International Taekwon-Do Federation and 3 other 8th Degree Black Belts.
Mr. Lipscombe was promoted to 5th Degree Black Belt on March 25, 2002.

Mr. Lipscombe has been a Director of the International Taekwon-Do Federation of B.C. since it's' inception in 1987 and has held the position of President several times, including the past 4 years.

Come join us for a free introductory class. Check the Calendar for our schedule and locations.

Please print and download the  membership agreement  

and bring with you when you come in.

DSA Royal International Taekwondo Club is an affiliate school of the Pacific Rim Institute of Taekwondo

Member: International Taekwondo Federation (ITF)