BJJ, also known as ‘Gracie Jiu-Jitsu’ is the martial arts style that became famous with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where Royce Gracie dominated much larger opponents in the early years of Mixed Martial Arts competition.
We have both gi (training with the martial arts uniform) and no-gi (training in a t-shirt/rash vest and shorts) classes on offer at our school.
Students train for a variety of reasons - from wanting to become a serious competitor, to training for self-defence or for fun, fitness and social benefits.
We are the only ‘Gracie’ school on the Sunshine Coast – being under the Ryan Gracie banner with Professor Neil Owen (the only black belt on the Sunshine Coast).See the ‘About Us’ section for more information on Neil Owen.
Alternatively, you can print a free pass by clicking here and bring it in with you for a trial.
Example of a Technique - Instructor Neil Owen shows a Mount Escape
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu FAQ's
What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? Jiu-Jitsu began with Mitsuyo Maeda, a Japanese Jiu-Jitsu master and member of the Kodokan. Maeda emigrated to Brazil in the 1910s where an influential businessman named Gastão Gracie helped him get established. In return for his aid, Maeda taught the fighting art to Gastão's son Carlos Gracie, who then taught the art to his brothers and sons. When Maeda taught the art to the Gracies he called it Jiu-Jitsu. The Gracie family refined this art form into what is now known as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
What makes BJJ different from other martial arts? Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu differs from other martial arts fundamentally. While other martial arts rely heavily on strength and speed, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu relies on superior technique and leverage.
What's a Gi? A Gi (sometimes referred to as Kimono) is the uniform that is typically worn when training Jiu-Jitsu. It consists of 3 pieces: a jacket (or top), pants, and a belt. The material in which the three pieces are made is specially reinforced to withstand the rigors of daily practice. Most practitioners of Jiu-Jitsu who advocate the usage of the Gi cite the more technical aspect of grappling with a Gi.
What are the Belt Rankings in Jiu-Jitsu? As with other martial arts, the progress of a student is marked with a series of colored belts. Unlike other martial arts where Black Belt marks a person’s proficiency in a style, in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu the rank of Black Belt is conferred to individuals who have mastered the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
The belts in order are: White, Blue, Purple, Brown and Black. The ranks for children are different. Blue belt and higher ranks have age requirements so children have the following ranks beginning with White, Yellow, Orange and Green. These belts are utilized until age 16.
How long until I get my Black Belt? Typically, it takes anywhere from 8 to 12 years to attain the rank of Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Each belt takes about 2-4 years of dedicated practice.
Who can learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? Practically anyone can utilize the techniques of BJJ. The core principle of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is to provide a method for smaller, weaker individuals to protect themselves from bigger, stronger attackers.
Is BJJ good exercise? Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can provide you with far more extensive results than typical aerobic exercise. The resistance encountered while wrestling provides you with a good base to improve your core strength through intense abdominal workout, increase your muscle tone, and reduce your body fat while improving your balance, coordination, cardiovascular capacity, and muscular endurance.
What do I wear my first class? We have some spare gi's (uniforms) that you will be able to borrow for your first class.
What's a typical class like? We begin class with some light calisthenics and stretching. Following our warm-up we then begin drilling technique. These drills when done over and over help form muscle memory and help our students retain technique. After our drilling is completed then we begin to spar (or roll). Rolling is when students are able to put their techniques to the test with training partners who can resist and counter just as they would in an actual fight, providing valuable real-world experience should the techniques ever need to be applied in an actual fight.
Watch our very own Hailey Szoke at the 2007 Pan-Pacific BJJ titles. This is the final of the open weight no-gi, the girl that Hailey is grappling with is approximately 20kgs heavier than her! Hailey Szoke - winner of 4 Australian titles, 3 Pan-Pacific titles, and a bronze medallist at the 2008 world championships:
