Spend your Labor Day weekend in Asheville, North Carolina doing jiu-jitsu, meeting new people, and exploring the Appalachian Mountains.

- Four days of BJJ training and seminars -

- 24/7 access to 1,300+ square feet of mats -

- A Welcome Cookout on your first night -

- Soak in the funky, unique Asheville vibe -

- Access to more breweries than you can count -

- Camping/ pseudo-glamping and hanging out at the Baying Hound Campground, just steps away from the gym -

Optional Activities

- Guided hike to waterfalls -

- Tube down the French Broad River -

- Brewery Tour -

- Tie Dye Party -

ASHEVILLE, NC

If you haven't heard about Asheville before, all you have to do is mention it to one of your friends and their response will be, "You're going to Asheville? Oh, I LOVE Asheville." Really. Try it.

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It's got mountains, waterfalls, the third oldest river in the world, a bustling downtown, live music galore, murals around every corner, renowned restaurants and so. much. beer.

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When you're not doing jiu-jitsu, there's plenty to explore. We'll have organized activities to guide you to the best places or you're welcome to venture off on your own.

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Checking out plane tickets? Here are nearby airports and their approximate distance to the gym:

*Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) = 20 minutes

*Greenville/Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) = 1.5 hours

*Charlotte International Airport (CLT) = 2 hours

FACILITIES

THE GYM: OPEN SOURCE JIU-JITSU

• 1,378 sq feet/ 128 sq meters of mat space

• Mats are on a custom made sprung-floor on over 100 repurposed tires

• Lots of ventilation with doors on opposite sides, large garage door and plenty of fans

• Indoor shower and outdoor solar-heated shower at the gym

• Outdoor, Rocky-style weightlifting equipment available

BAYING HOUND CAMPGROUND

Our BJJ-themed campground shares the same property as the gym, allowing folks to enjoy a bit of nature while taking a break from the mats. Our "full package" camp option includes lodging, food and laundry services.

• Campground features a fire pit, deck, hammocks and multiple other chill zones

• Indoor kitchen, dining area and hangout spots at the campground bunkhouse

• Unique structures made from upcycled materials

• Hostel-style indoor lodging - shared bunkhouse bedroom for 6 people

• Tent sites for you OG campers

• Indoor toilets and rustic outhouse 

• Indoor shower and outdoor solar-heated shower

• Wifi with limited capabilities (but aren't you here to just do BJJ, anyhow?)

INSTRUCTORS

Kris Shaw

• Part of the original Dirty Dozen Female Black Belts, the first female grapplers outside of Brazil to achieve the rank of black belt

• Received her Black Belt from Leka Vieira making her one of the first and few women to have been promoted to black belt by a female

• Founder of BJJ Legends Magazine

• Mother of four daughters

• Originally from Texas and a University of Texas graduate

• Hobbies: bee-keeping, motorcycles, working on cars, sewing, football (go Cowboys!)

Heather Raftery

• Black belt awarded by Andre Galvao in June 2017

• 2x IBJJF No-Gi Worlds Silver Medalist

• 2x ADCC U.S. Trials medalist

• IBJJF World Master Silver Medalist

• Used to live in her 1970 VW bus

• Undiagnosed Napoleon complex, especially when running competition class

• BA in Anthropology and Journalism, MA in International Development

• Amateur potter, lifelong knowledge seeker, world traveler 

Rich Sab (AKA Dominick R. Sabatino)

• BJJ Black Belt 1st Degree (Team Combat Base)(Team Edge)

• Personal Fitness Trainer and Nutritional Coach

• Certified Cognitive Behavioral Therapist

• Professional Actor, Musician, and all around swell guy

Mary Holmes

• Black belt awarded by Royce Gracie

• Started training in 2008

• 2018 Pan Am Master 2 Lightweight and Absolute Silver Medalist

• 2017 Brown Belt World Master 2 Lightweight Gold Medalist

• 2016 Master World Brown Belt Master 2 Lightweight Silver Medalist and Absolute Gold Medalist

• 2016 Pan Ams Purple Belt Master 1, Light weight and Absolute Gold Medalist [this was prior to expanding the female masters division, so there was only Adult and Master 1]

• Pisces, lover of puppies, good food, and true crime podcasts

Brad Wolfson

Brad is the owner of Soulcraft Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and BJJ in Paradise retreats and the first American black belt promoted under Coral Belt Marcio Stambowsky in 2011. His love affair with jiu jitsu began in the late 90’s and has brought him to more than 45 countries around the world to share the art. As  a frequent teacher at BJJ Globetrotters camps, Brad loves to explore new places and use jiu jitsu as a way to make friends and build community.

Greg Wood

• From Connecticut, USA

• BJJ Black Belt Under Pedro Sauer

• International BJJ Globetrotter Instructor

• Anonymous Viral BJJ Video Star

• Dog & Peanut Butter Lover

*Subject to change depending on weather, interest in certain activities, unforeseen Zombie apocalypses, and whatever else 2021 has in store for us.

ITINERARY

SAMPLE*

SEPT 3-6, 2021

FRIDAY
-Arrival
-Open Mat
-Welcome Cookout dinner

SATURDAY
-Morning Yoga
-BJJ Workshops/Seminars
-Lunch/ Optional Hike to Waterfalls
-BJJ Workshops/Seminars
-Dinner
-Tie Dye Party

SUNDAY
-Morning Yoga
-BJJ Workshops/Seminars
-Lunch/ Optional Tubing Activity
-BJJ Workshops/Seminars
-Dinner
-Brewery Tour

MONDAY (Labor Day)
Departure Day
-Morning workshop
-Lunch
-Open mat
 

- 50 Spots Available -

- Choose your desired package -

- Online Payment -

- Tickets fully transferable -

- 100% Refund 3+ weeks out -

- Partial refund up to 48 hours out - 

    TICKETS REMAINING = 14   

FULL PACKAGE

-Full access to all seminars, classes, open mats

-24/7 access to mats

-3 nights lodging in a tent-less sleeping structure at Baying Hound Campground (first come, first serve determined by completed registration)

-Welcome Cookout

-Continental Breakfast every day

-Lunch every day

-Laundry service x2

-Camp Grappalachia T-Shirt

-- $535 --

FULL PACKAGE

FOR TENT/VEHICLE CAMPERS

-Full access to all seminars, classes, open mats

-24/7 access to mats

-3 nights lodging in your own tent or vehicle at Baying Hound Campground 

-Welcome Cookout

-Continental Breakfast every day

-Lunch every day

-Laundry service x2

-Camp Grappalachia T-Shirt

-- $485 --

MATS-ONLY PACKAGE

-Full access to all seminars, classes, open mats

-Access to campground hangout areas

-Welcome Cookout

-Camp Grappalachia T-Shirt

-- $195 --