In July 2018, more grapplers from Artemis BJJ made another return visit to Leuven. Almost of us had been before, while in my case it was my fourth Leuven Camp. There was lots of excellent training, top notch techniques and some funky dance moves at the awesomely 80s themed open mat (one of several musical themes Christian picked, always a nifty addition to his camps).

Most importantly for the club, Can had loads of techniques to bring back and teach. We’ll be taking a look at x guard from Henk Heneweer, along with some back attack details from Hillary Van Ornum, more passing from Fran Vanderstukken and a handy detail on the crucifix from Jochem Branderhorst.

There is plenty more to come in the next few months, which will be further enhanced by yet another BJJ Globetrotter Camp, with a return visit to Heidelberg. Can is one of several Artemis BJJ representative at that one as well, as a few of our students are booked to head to Germany too.

Be sure to book your ticket as soon as possible for Leuven next year: they sold out a few weeks after the box office opened last year, so you will need to be quick. Don’t miss out!

Can is launching his own mini-camp in August to try and bring that BJJ Globetrotter feeling to Bristol. This first event, on the 25th and 26th August weekend, is a test to see if it’s a viable option. It will be held at 213 Whiteladies Road, our Clifton venue (full changing facilities and showers for both women and men).

We have six black belts booked: Seymour ‘Meerkatsu’ Yang, world champions Chelsea Bainbridge-Donner and Tom Barlow, pioneering female grappler Gret Zoeller, plus Neil Owen (one of the most experienced black belts in the UK) and his student James Boyle (who runs a successful BJJ academy in Chesterfield). The schedule will be as follows:

Sat 25th Aug

15:00-15:10 Open Mat
15:10-16:10 Seymour Yang
16:10-16:25 Open Mat
16:25-17:25 Chelsea Bainbridge-Donner
17:25-17:40 Open Mat
17:40-18:40 Tom Barlow
18:40-19:00 Open Mat

Sun 26th Aug

15:00-15:20 Open Mat
15:20-16:20 Gret Zoeller
16:20-16:30 Open Mat
16:30-17:30 James Boyle
17:30-17:40 Open Mat
17:40-18:40 Neil Owen
18:40-19:00 Open Mat

Tickets are £50, which is non-refundable as the proceeds will be used to pay for the venue and the instructors. However, you can of course sell that ticket on if it turns out you can no longer make the event. Please contact info@artemisbjj.com if you would like to buy a ticket: there is a maximum of 30, so you’ll need to be quick!

In July 2017, the intrepid grapplers from Artemis BJJ made a return visit to Leuven. All of us had been before, while in my case it was my third Leuven Camp. There was lots of excellent training, top notch techniques and some funky dance moves at the random mass singalong that happened in the centre of town on the last day.

Most importantly for the club, Can had loads of techniques to bring back and teach. So far, we’ve had a look at half guard techniques from Fran Vanderstukken and Kenny Polmans, along with some nifty triangle details from Joey Carta.

There is plenty more to come in the next few months, which will be further enhanced by yet another BJJ Globetrotter Camp, this time in Heidelberg. Can is the only Artemis BJJ representative at that one, as sadly Chris had to pull out due to injury. Not to worry, as the techniques will be coming back to Bristol.

Be sure to book your ticket as soon as possible for Leuven next year: they sold out a few weeks after the box office opened last year, so you will need to be quick. Don’t miss out!

There are also more upcoming camps this year which will feature Artemis BJJ students. A large group (not including Can, who will be teaching class as usual) is planning to go to Zen Camp in Poland, another brand new offering from BJJ Globetrotters. Hooray for even more techniques to bring home!

On the 18th July, Can headed on the train to the inaugural UK BJJ Globetrotters Camp, held at Phoenix MMA in Bournemouth, to take part on the Monday. If like Can you don’t drive,then it is possible to get there from Bristol in about three hours: he took his bike on the train, so cycled straight to the gym.

Monday featured five classes, including some old friends from Leuven (David teaching de la Riva passes, while Christian discussed posture inside closed guard) and even older friends from early in Can’s trainined. Lorenzo was at the Roger Gracie Academy when Can started in 2006, while Chiu was Can’s instructor for part of 2010. As ever, Can will be writing up all the classes on slideyfoot.com.

Artemis BJJ student Chris J is also at the camp, staying for the full week: the camp continues through to Saturday. It sells out quickly, so if you’re interested, be sure to sign up soon once the 2017 edition is announced.

Ana Yagües

Most exciting of all for Artemis BJJ students, Ana Yagües flew over from Germany to teach a class on de la Riva, using a deep hook for a powerful sweep. Can has been teaching that this week back in Bristol: if you would like to learn more awesome techniques from the woman herself, Ana will be in Bristol this Sunday for a seminar at Artemis BJJ.

The seminar will be at MYGYM from 12:00-15:00 on Sunday 24th July, only £20: everybody welcome! Register your interest on the Facebook event page, here.