Kicking with a purpose

The Daily Inter Lake

It's a simple approach, but one that works.

"Our goal for 2007 … simply is to work harder," said Master John Paul Noyes, a fifth degree black belt and owner of Big Sky Martial Arts.

"That's for my staff, my students. To be more efficient in what we do and be kinder to the people around us."

Noyes said that goal was also used last year and the year before that.

It's been repeated over and over again because it's proven to be a successful avenue for Noyes, his fellow instructors and students to take.

"Punch a little harder than yesterday, kick a little bit harder," Noyes said.

"That consistency has provided us with the success we've had."

Since BSMA opens its doors on the corner of Third Street and Main, it has become one of the most successful taekwondo programs in the state.

In seven trips to Junior Nationals, BSMA has won 12 gold medals, 10 silver and 16 bronze.

In nine appearances at U.S. Nationals, the team has collected 28 gold medals, 17 silver and 20 bronze.

BSMA has also sent an individual - Chance Cole of Eureka - to the World Championships in Greece. He competed on the U.S. team, which had just 20 qualifiers.

And the list goes it.

"Success is not always defined by the medal count, but by the overall performance of our students and athletes," Noyes said.

"That's what been successful for us."

That's also what matters the most to Noyes.

"The reason you have kids in sports is to develop a life skill," he said.

"You don't have to be the best of athletes (to be successful in taekwondo), but you have to have a good work ethic."

All in all, it's been an impressive showing by BSMA, which celebrated its 10th anniversary on Nov. 11, 2006.

"Some of our kids today are into instant gratification," Noyes said.

"But achievement is not instant; it takes time. Achieving goals takes time. For any parent or potential athlete, they have to understand that concept."

Noyes, 38, graduated from Flathead High School in 1987; and from the University of Montana in 1992. He competed in football, track, baseball, skiing, wrestling and swimming.

He's been active in taekwondo since the age of 7 and was good enough at it in high school to teach it.

"My memory of high school sports was if you were good, you got recognized," Noyes said.

"Who you were as a person was secondary.

"Here, it's the other way around," he said.

"Who you are as an individual, your work ethic (is most important). Your respect for your teammates, that's primary. How hard and fast you kick is secondary. Yet we have some of the top athletes in the U.S. (in taekwondo), so it all comes together."

Noyes began teaching taekwondo in Kalispell for the recreation department.

"Opened with 25 students," he said.

Those practices were held in the Flathead High School gym, when it was available, and sometimes in the school's hallway.

"I thought I would take the risk and start a gym," Noyes said.

"Within a year's time I had about 150 students. More than I expected."

Today, Noyes has between 195 and 210 individuals of all ages in his program.

"That's what we like," he said. "It's manageable for us."

The serious taekwondo students have already geared up for competitions in Edmonton, Alberta, on Saturday and Butte on March 10.

"We are starting to focus on the Butte Tournament," Noyes said of the other students.

Noyes deals with two types of athletes. Those who are into the sport of taekwondo and those who do it recreationally.

"They obviously do it for the sport," Noyes said of his serious athletes.

"They want to be on a U.S. Junior National Team or be on the Senior National Team. Those spots are pretty rare.

"Those who are into it recreationally, do it for physical fitness. Some do it to develop self discipline or confidence. They might do it for self defense."

Noyes received his black belt in 1990 at the age of 22.

"Back then, it typically took 10 years to (earn) a black belt," he said.

"Now, 4-5 years."

Noyes said the instruction "back then," was too broad.

"They taught too many skills. You weren't particularly great at any one thing. Now, it's more specialized. It produces better people in particular fields."

Noyes has issued 76 first degree, 16 second degree and two third degree black belts to BSMA students.

His wife, Debbie Noyes, is an instructor and holds a third degree black belt.

BSMA instructors Joe McGee, Alan Bowman and Dave Ward have second degree black belts.

Debbie Noyes, McGee and Bowman all began their taekwondo instruction at BSMA.

"It's high energy," said Debbie.

"You have to have a lot of energy to coach and keep everyone excited."

And John Paul and Debbie Noyes have done just that.

They have a blossoming Kinder Kicks program, for ages 4-6, which is very popular. Those youngsters have two sessions a week, lasting 35 minutes each.

There are also classes for juniors, ages 7-13, and adults.

'"We learned that this area knew enough about taekwondo to be open to it," Noyes continued.

"What they responded to was the positive discipline that's offered here. I think it's still true.

"The discipline here is real unique, it's not a hard core. The respect; that's universal, it goes across the board."