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| BJJ Globetrotters Newsletter // March 2015 | |
Dear Globetrotters,
Greetings from the Beach Camp in El Salvador! I managed to spend three days at home after an absolutely amazing first Winter Camp in Austria, before I headed across the Atlantic for an equally crazy experience, surfing every morning and rolling under the palm trees at night.
The Winter Camp experience was really something. It was the first time we decided to take a big chance and try out the concept of a combined snow and BJJ camp and it turned out better than we could have imagined. I had the pleasure of spending four of the most intensely packed days of my life with 60+ new and old friends, rolling, learning new techniques, snowboarding, skiing, partying, eating sausages and relaxing in our sauna and pool area. The only bad thing about it was that we have to wait a full year to do it again :)
Lots of new things are in the pipeline for 2015. The spots for the Summer Camps in Copenhagen and Belgium are filling up fast, and we just announced our first USA camp, which we are very excited about. The main purpose of the camps are always to try and bring together as many people as possible for a good time and see what comes out of it. Hope you will join us? The Matsurfing.org project is also growing, and we are already getting reports coming in from people who are taking up the free travel offers and are heading out for adventure.
For any stories of people traveling to interesting places to train BJJ, send a mail to newsletter@bjjglobetrotters.com and we'll include it in the next newsletter!
Have a fantastic day, | |
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What you'll find in this month's newsletter:
- First ever USA Camp in August!
- Holger "Pinky" Delmann and Maddi Astell talk about the Winter Camp
- Photos from the Winter Camp in Austria
- BJJ Globetrotters places third at the IBJJF Munich Open team competition
- "Sinistro" started doing BJJ because of The Karate Kid
- Brad Wolfson Matsurfing in Mexico
- Free travel offers from Matsurfing.org
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| First ever USA Camp in August |
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| It's finally happening :) After six months of research and planning, we are thrilled to announce the first ever BJJ Globetrotters USA camp in New Hampshire! A bunch of interesting instructors are already confirmed and we are working hard on getting even more aboard for five days of super intense training and meeting other globetrotters from around the world.
We are always working hard to keep as fair prices for our camps as possible and this one is just $599 for five days including accommodation, food and training all day long. Hope to see you there! |
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| Holger "Pinky" Delmann and Maddi Astell talk about the Winter Camp |
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| Holger "Pinky" Deimann and Maddi Astell are two participants of the Winter Camp in Austria. It was an action packed four days of snowboarding, saunas, partying and of course BJJ. We had a chat with Holger and Maddi about their experience with the camp and their future plans regarding BJJ and travelling. |
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| Maddi taking skiing lessons at the Winter Camp |
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Tell us a bit about yourself. When did you start training BJJ and why did you start?
Maddi - A friend at the gym I was working at told me about BJJ. I thought it sounded crazy but I like doing new things so I went along to try it out. That was 2 years ago now and I can't see myself ever stopping. It really has changed my life.
Holger - First of all I have to say that I train not pure BJJ, but Luta Livre. This is a kind of like NoGi BJJ. I started to train Luta Livre about 9 years ago. My beginning in Martial Arts was 25 years ago with traditional Japanese Jiu Jitsu. Parallel, I always was training different styles (Kickboxing, Wing Chun, Modern Arnis,). One day I had to change my gym, because it moved to another town. In the new gym I met some guys which did a kind of Judo groundfighting. I noticed that I liked fighting on ground a lot and searched for some specialists on ground fighting and found Andreas Schmidt, founder of the European Luta Livre Organization (ELLO). Andreas is a sport scientist and the highest non Brazilian Lutador with a 4th degree blackbelt. He is an ADCC veteran as well and became my Mentor. As groundfighting wasn't very popular in Germany at that time, I decided to open my own Luta Livre Academy after I got my instructor certification. Meanwhile I got 2 stripes on my brownbelt and the 4th teacher level. |
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Tell us about the Winter Camp experience, what was it like?
Maddi - The Winter Camp experience was so intense! I can't believe how much we fit into four days. I was a bit unsure about going there by myself but I met loads of awesome people, it was so much fun and I am already looking forward to going back next year.
Holger - The Camp was amazing. So much cool people with no politics and no ego. Everyone was extremely friendly. An atmosphere where learning and sharing knowledge was fun and easily. The mix of winter vacation (snowboarding), training and wellness (sauna, pool) was unbelievable. It was like: If someone said “you cannot have all” you can answer “of course I can". |
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Holger playing some sweet tunes on his BJJ Globetrotters guitar |
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Were there any memorable moments or funny incidents that occurred during the camp?
Maddi - There were lots of funny incidents but none that I can mention here. Let's just say these guys take their après ski very seriously.
Holger - The complete camp was memorable. Going to party with crazy Scandinavian guys was extremely funny. I had some really good rolls during open mats and I made new friendships.
What do you take away from the camp - any specific technique or concept that stuck out in your mind?
Maddi - I have learned a lot from this camp, I am more confident to travel by myself and really looking forward to doing it again soon! Christian is great at bringing people together and making amazing things happen. I think a lot of that is about having a positive outlook and being open minded so that is something I will take away with me.
Holger - I do not like to think in single techniques but in concepts. But there were especially two things which I will adapt and which will change my game a little bit. First, the "farmboy" grip control of Christian Graugart. I tried it in training and it works very well. The second was from Oli Geddes. A technique which I call IBJJF Leglock (in Luta Livre we do not have restrictions regarding leglocks e.g. reaping the knee). This leglock variation will makes some of my students happy ;-) But more than all I liked to meet new friends which share my passion.
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Have you done much travelling for BJJ? Do you have a favorite destination so far?
Holger - Within Germany I am often in other gyms for open mats. Outside of Germany I train some times in Frontline BJJ Academy if I am in Oslo for work. But my greatest training journey was 2012 in Brazil, Rio where I had the possibility to train with some of the Big names of Luta Livre.
What are your future plans regarding BJJ, and do you have plans to travel to train in the near future?
Maddi - My plans for BJJ are to keep having fun training and to explore the opportunities that it has to offer me. This was my first time traveling to do BJJ and I am making plans to go again. I am going to New Zealand and Australia at the end of this year and I'd love to go on another BJJ Globetrotters camp soon.
Holger - I will go again to Brazil and train there. Furthermore I will travel to Paris this year and train with Nicolas Renier (1st degree Blackbelt Luta Livre 4 time ADCC veteran) which is a friend of mine. And maybe I will visit some of my new Globetrotter friends.
Anything you want to add?
Holger - I want to thank Christian, Valentin and all other which made this camp possible. I will come back to other camps for sure if my time schedule and my wife will allow :-D I can recommend these kind of campa to all who are interested in have good classes, a good time and meeting cool people. If anyone will is in Dortmund or near by, do not hesitate to train and roll with us. Just write my an e-mail to info@LutaLivre-Dortmund.de
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| Photos from the Winter Camp in Austria |
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| It's hard to describe the experience at the Winter Camp with words, so apart from the interview above, we'll leave it to the photos to give you an impression about just how much fun we had that weekend. Next year's camp is already in the works and we hope to see you there! |
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| BJJ Globetrotters places third at the IBJJF Munich Open team competition |
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BJJ Globetrotters took 3rd place in the team competition at IBJJF Munich Open. Great to see so many people from different places come together, representing the Globetrotters in a large competition and mess a little with the big teams :) Good job!
1 - Gracie Barra - 68
2 - CheckMat - 57
3 - BJJ Globetrotters - 37 |
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| One of the guys who grabbed a lot of points for BJJ Globetrotters were Severin Zemp from BJJ Lab in Zürich, who took gold at both gi and no-gi! |
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| "Sinistro" started BJJ because of The Karate Kid |
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Francisco “Sinistro” Iturralde has a long list of achievements in competitions including three World Championships and a European Open Championship. He hails from Ecuador, which has traditionally not been known for producing world class BJJ competitors, but that trend is changing according to him. He has been an instructor at some of the Globetrotters previous camps, so many of you should be familiar with him. He'll be returning as an instructor for the upcoming camps in Copenhagen and the USA. We sat down with Fransisco and had a little chat.
Tell us a bit about yourself, where are you from and when did you start doing BJJ? So, I basically started training because i was a big fan of The Karate Kid. I entered a BJJ Academy when I was 7 years and my older brothers started training around that time as well. After over a month of rolling on the ground i quit because BJJ was obviously not like karate at all. So I quit BJJ but my brothers kept training. 6 years later my dad forced me to train BJJ because he wanted me to bond more with my brothers, who where teaching at that time as purple belts in Guayaquil. After many months of getting smashed by bigger guys I kinda started to understand the sport and got hooked, and by my first year of training BJJ I knew this was the life I wanted. What's the BJJ scene like in your home country? BJJ is growing in Ecuador fast and with the highest quality standards in every belt, from blue belt World champions to black belt belts making it to the toughest podiums. Looking back to 10 years ago i never imagined i was going to be part of that revolution of the sport in my city. We used to be a crew of blue and purple belts travelling to the tournaments and at last Europeans we were 7 Ecuadorian black belts from Alliance representing and putting up a show.
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You have previously been an instructor at a BJJ Globetrotters Summer Camp, what was that experience like?
Christian has this peculiar way of managing an environment where we are not only training hard but also having fun with different people that if it wasn't for that camp and BJJ, we would never meet. it was a great environment with a cool vibe and top instructors and facilities so everyone is comfortable, happy, and safe.
You'll be an instructor at some upcoming camps as well, such as the Copenhagen and USA camp, what are your expectations for those?
My expectations are the highest for every of the Globetrotters camps; lots of cool people, good training and fun activities besides grinding on the mats.
Do you have any plans for the future?
Well, I have plans for the present, the future is something that doesn't concern me. Specifically, I aim to compete as much as I can while I'm still young and get to travel as much as I can through BJJ as long as I have the energy for it.
Do you have a favorite submission? Has it always been the same on or did you have a different one as a white belt?
I often hear that question, or if I like better top or bottom, or if i like the gi better than nogi, but what I actually like is to fight and that level of communication in between my mind and the perfect control of my body in every movement. It doesn't really matter if is gi or nogi, top or bottom. i just like rolling.
Anything you want to add?
I would like to invite everyone to the upcoming camps that I will be part of, we are going to have fun together 100%. Like me on Facebook and Instagram to follow some of my Globetrotting. Keep training and have fun! Jah bless.
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| Brad Wolfson Matsurfing in Mexico |
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Tell us a bit about yourself, how long have you been training and where do you currently live/train?
Sure, I'm Brad Wolfson, currently living and training in New Haven, Connecticut on the east coast of the US. I've been training for 17 years and I'm a blackbelt under Marcio Macarrao Stambowsky (Rolls Gracie coral belt). I like long walks on the beach and I love to laugh.
You recently took an offer to travel to Mexico and train, tell us about that.
Actually here now, in Puerto Escondido. Yeah, much like my other Bjj adventures, I made contact with the guys down here through the Globetrotters Facebook page and here I am. And as always, what started out in my mind as a little uncomfortable or uncertain has become a life changing trip full of warm and friendly peeps, great training, and some serious tacos. I mean epic tacos!
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What's the BJJ scene like in Connecticut?
It's huge here. Tons of great places to train and we are only 1.5 hours from NYC and legendary places like Renzo's, Marcelo Garcia's and Unity. It's cool to see how far it's come since the 90's!
How long have you been a black belt, and did you ever think you'd achieve that rank when you first started out?
3.5 years and no. I just kept showing up. That's the secret ninja stuff, get in your car and go to class.
How long have you been in Mexico/do you intend to stay in Mexico, and how is it treating you so far?
So far it's amazing. Beach is breath-taking and the guys here are like a second family. Just here for eight days, but already making plans to come back in June to teach some more. BJJ is just starting here In Puerto Escondido but it's a surf town and these guys are already super intro training and learning. It's a magical place.
You went to St. Barts recently to train and surf, what was that like?
Another rad adventure. I got know some great people, practice my cooking skills, learn some great techniques from Christian; and see how the other half lives if only for a few days. I'm already saving money to buy my mega yacht like my man Mark Chambers.
Anything you want to add?
Just like to thank Al Gore for inventing the internet and making all of this possible. Also my teacher Marcio Stambowsky who is a true legend in our art and just launched an online training site where he shares some great techniques (macarrabjj.com). Check it out! Oh and if you ever make it to Connecticut, come visit me at Soulcraft and our team at Macarra BJJ. |
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| Free travel offers from Matsurfing.org |
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| Every month in this newsletter, we'll be bringing a few of the interesting travel destinations offered by Matsurfing.org. The rest will be published seperately in the monthly Matsurfing email. If you are interested in opening up your own home and/or academy to BJJ travelers, sign up on www.matsurfing.org!
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Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States Host: Gabby Romero
Contact email: jitsgirl88@yahoo.com
Can host: 3
The host: Brown belt, won 2012 No-Gi Worlds in purple lightweight and MMA fighter. Legal assistant who does conditioning in the morning and training in the evening.
The place: West side of Albuquerque. The Sandia Mountains are close by - so hiking, camping, running. Also quite a bit of historic stuff in Old Town Albuquerque. Museums etc.
The training: Have some awesome training here. The elevation helps with cardio if you are planning to compete. There is my gym obviously (Judgement MMA),but there is also Gracie Barra with Toussa and Rafael Barata Freitas. There is also a Clube de Jiu Jitsu - Pitbull. Also a few other good schools in Santa Fe, New Mexico abouy 45 minutes away. |
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Durban, South Africa
Host: Darryl Faught
Contact email: darryl@pwrtraining.co.za
Can accommodate: 6
The host: Has his own gym and BJJ Academy. Has been training jits for 14 years. Open minded and always willing to learn something.
The place: Durban is the fun capital of South Africa. Great weather all year round. Great beaches, mountains and site seeing.
The training: Training is monday to friday at 11:00 to 12:30. Then monday to thursday 17:30 to 19:00 and Saturdays 8:30 to 10:30. If anyone would like to visit you are most welcome. Accommodation is not a problem. The guys and girls at my academy will welcome you with open arms. Check out www.faughtsgym.com if you would like to see the academy.
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Porto, Portugal
Host: Pedro Chaves
Contact email: pedromlchaves@gmail.com
Can accommodate: 1-2
The host: Recent BJJ BB, instructor under one of the largest academies in Portugal. Has experience with travelling abroad and training. Will try to make your stay as pleasant as possible, both tourism and training wise
The place: Porto's Downtown, one of the top destinations worldwide according to everyone and their mothers. Amazing food,
historical and beautiful city, great life both during the day and night, and top-notch culturally. If you come from some country not completely broke (i.e. like us) then add "really cheap" to it as well.
The training: Very broad schedule (morning, afternoon and night training), as well as S&C available. Large mat, high quality
gym, and very good atmosphere, accostumed to get visitors. All types of athletes, from just maintenance to competitive pro level. |
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