Spend your vacation 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 -
Asheville Activities
- Hike to Mountaintop Views and Waterfalls -
- Drive the Scenic Blue Ridge Parkway -
- Tube down the French Broad River -
- Breweries Galore -
- Top Rated Restaurants -
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.
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.
When you're not doing jiu-jitsu, there's plenty to explore. We're happy to give you recommendations on our favorite restaurants, hikes and other quintessentially "Asheville" experiences.
✈︎✈︎✈︎
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
-
Disco ball
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.
-
Campground features a fire pit, deck, hammocks and multiple chill zones
-
Indoor shower and outdoor solar-heated shower
-
Indoor toilets and rustic outhouse
-
Indoor kitchen, dining area and hangout spots at the campground bunkhouse
-
Laundry machines
-
Unique structures made from upcycled materials
-
Hostel-style indoor lodging - shared bunkhouse bedroom for 6 people
-
Tent sites for you OG campers
-
WiFi and indoor workspace
INSTRUCTORS
MAY 2025
Rich Sab (AKA Dominick R. Sabatino)
-
BJJ Black Belt 2nd Degree (Team Combat Base)(Team Edge)
-
Personal Fitness Trainer and Nutritional Coach
-
Certified Cognitive Behavioral Therapist
-
Professional Actor, Musician, and all around swell guy
-
The least formal coach in the martial arts world
>> @richsab
Mary Holmes
-
Black belt awarded by Royce Gracie
-
Started training in 2008
-
2023 Pan Am Master Gold Medalist
-
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
-
Pisces, lover of puppies, good food, and true crime podcasts
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!), and raising chickens
Amber and Lakyn Bendle
Lakyn and Amber Bendle are both black belts who own Funky Flow Fitness and Jiu Jitsu in Florence, SC. They expanded and opened up their own school this year in 2025.
They are mostly proud of their ladies program and their involvement with GLOSS (Grappling Ladies of Southeastern States).
Combined, Lakyn and Amber have achieved multiple Pan Am Championship medals and World Master Championship medals along with many IBJJF opens and super fights.
Jason Bebber
-
First degree black belt under Karel “Silver Fox” Pravec
-
Head instructor and owner of Fenix Jiu Jitsu in Hickory, NC
-
Multiple time Pro Jitsu super fight winner
-
Multiple time NAGA champion
-
Lover of fine bourbon
-
PAST INSTRUCTORS
ITINERARY
SAMPLE*
*Subject to change *
MAY 2025
FRIDAY
Arrival Day [~3-5pm]
-Open Mat
-Welcome Cookout dinner
SATURDAY
-BJJ Workshops/Seminars
-Lunch
-BJJ Workshops/Seminars
-Open Mat
-Nighttime Open Mat Party
SUNDAY
-BJJ Workshops/Seminars
-Open Mat
-Lunch
-All Asheville Open Mat
-BJJ Workshops/Seminars
-Brewery Hopping
MONDAY
Departure Day
-Morning workshops
-Lunch
-Open mat
All pics courtesy of @jitzpix
- Online Payment -
- Tickets fully transferable -
- 100% Refund 2+ weeks out -
- Partial refund up to 48 hours out -
May 16-19, 2025
EVERY FULL CAMP TICKET INCLUDES
-
Full access to all seminars, classes, open mats
-
Welcome Cookout Friday night
-
Camp Grappalachia swag
-
New BJJ friends from across the country (does this sound like paying for friends? Maybe. But you still gotta do the legwork to be social and stuff.)
COMPLETE YOUR GRAPPALACHIA EXPERIENCE
A la carte options:
-
3 Nights Lodging at the on-site Baying Hound Campground in one of our unique upcycled sleeping pods, Breakfast Sat-Mon, Lunch Sat-Mon, laundry
-
3 Nights Lodging at the on-site Baying Hound Campground at a primitive “BYO” tent site/ RV spot, Breakfast Sat-Mon, Lunch Sat-Mon, laundry
-
Weekend only Lunches, getting you catered on-site lunch on Saturday and Sunday (for those of you not staying on site)
Full Camp Ticket = $215
Saturday Day Pass = $129
Sunday Day Pass = $99
Questions? Shoot us an email and ask away: amanda@opensourcebjj.net
Follow Camp Grappalachia on social media or updates and pictures!