Cedar River Aikikai History

October, 1998
Cedar River Aikikai was founded by Larry Mendenhall (1st Dan) as a satellite dojo of the University of Iowa Aikikai. Classes began in the old downtown YMCA on 1st Steet then moved to the Sokol Building in the Spring of 1999.

January, 2001
The dojo changed affiliation from the Midwest Aikido Federation to the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba and became an extension of Aikido of Madison, headed by Stone Sensei (6th Dan).

June, 2006
Larry relocated to Des Moines, Iowa. Dave Siefer (2nd Kyu) and Andrew Siefer (2nd Kyu) took responsibility for running the club with oversight and advanced training still provided by Stone Sensei.