Category Archives: News

All the posts on the Artemis BJJ blog are under the News category, in order to make it easy to link to all the Artemis BJJ posts at once.

Artemis BJJ USA Camp

CAMP DETAILS

Thanks to our wonderful American friends, it will be possible to offer a camp in the USA. The first one will take place from the 6th to the 8th September 2024, at Foundation BJJ in Madison, WI, USA.

There are two rates (please note, both of them are non-refundable). For only the weekend, the standard ticket is £75, while the full Long Weekend price for all three days is just £85. There will be at least 15hrs of training in total, across Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with both classes and open mat time. Planned social activities will also be available. If you would like to book your spot, contact info@artemisbjj.com

We’re still building our instructor roster, but so far we have Charles Harriott (a highly in demand instructor who travels the world), Val Worthington (a legend of the US BJJ scene), Suay Al-Aziz (co-owner of Semper Fortis in Texas), Josh Wentworth (head coach at Apex MMA Covington), Jillian Peterson (another of the awesome BJJ Globetrotters black belt network), Can Sönmez (head coach at Artemis BJJ) and Mike Velotta (almost three decades of grappling experience). More to come!

TICKETS

Tickets for our camps are non-refundable as the proceeds are 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 an event. Please follow the Artemis BJJ Facebook page if you would like to stay updated on future camps. For footage of previous camps, head over to Instagram.

SCHEDULE

FRIDAY 6th SEPTEMBER 2024

13:30-13:45 Open Mat
13:45-14:45 Can Sönmez
14:45-15:00 Open Mat
15:00-16:00 TBC
16:00-16:30 Open Mat

SATURDAY 7th SEPTEMBER 2024:

10:00-10:15 Open Mat
10:15-11:15 Can Sönmez
11:15-11:30 Open Mat
11:30-12:30 Val Worthington
12:30-13:30 Open Mat/Lunch
13:30-14:30 Josh Wentworth
14:30-14:45 Open Mat
14:45-15:45 Jillian Peterson
15:45-16:00 Open Mat

SUNDAY 8th SEPTEMBER 2024

10:00-10:15 Open Mat
10:15-11:15 Can Sönmez
11:15-11:30 Open Mat
11:30-12:30 Suay Al-Aziz
12:30-13:30 Open Mat/Lunch
13:30-14:30 Charles Harriott
14:30-14:45 Open Mat
14:45-15:45 Mike Velotta
15:45-16:00 Open Mat

 

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Details of Artemis BJJ Charity GrappleThon 2023 For Weston Hospicecare

Artemis BJJ Bristol brazilian jiu jitsu grapplethon charity 2023

What: The concept behind a GrappleThon is very simple: at least two people are grappling at any one point over a predetermined period.

When: 14:00 on Saturday 30th September 2023 until 14:00 on Sunday 1st October 2023.

Where: At our central location in Bristol, by LA Gym (specifically, the LA Combat entrance, so keep walking when you see LA Gym). Head to 7 Easton Road, Bristol, BS5 0BY.

How: To take part, simply turn up and roll. If you want to earn a fantastic custom Meerkatsu t-shirt (kindly provided by Tatami Fightwear), there’s only one way: fundraise!  Head here for the main fundraising page. To earn a t-shirt, set up your own fundraising page supporting Weston Hospicecare, here. (be sure to contact us with the link, so we know you’re fundraising). Note that our limited number of t-shirts will be awarded in order of total amount fundraised, until we run out.

Why: In memory of (kids’ team head instructor) Tracey’s father, this year we will be supporting Weston Hospicecare. To learn more about their important work, have a read of their website, here.

Donate: Head to our JustGiving donations page, here.

Press: Take a look at the Artemis BJJ press page for upcoming articles and interviews about the GrappleThon (as well as previous events), here. For pictures and videos from both previous and current Artemis BJJ GrappleThons, go to our Instagram channel.

Simultaneously with the GrappleThon, we’ll also be running a Warhammer40kThon, aiming for 24hrs of continuous heresy! So even if you’re not super keen on BJJ, you can still take part.

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors, renowned BJJ apparel brand Tatami Fightwear and top BJJ artist Meerkatsu 

Artemis BJJ München Camp

The next Artemis BJJ Germany Camp will take place on the 7th/8th October 2023, at the Sanefighting gym in München. If you would like to book your spot (£75, limited places and non-refundable) contact info@artemisbjj.com. There will be at least 8hrs of training in total, across Saturday and Sunday, with both classes and open mat time.

Instructors will include Helen Harper (pro-MMA fighter and TUF alum), Chris Paines (in demand globally for his game-changing seminars), PJ Lucey (top notch instructor based in Ireland) and Can Sönmez (Artemis BJJ head instructor).

Tickets for our camps are non-refundable as the proceeds are 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 an event. Please follow the Artemis BJJ Facebook page if you would like to stay updated on future camps. For footage of previous camps, head over to Instagram.

To get an idea of the camp timetable, here’s the provisional schedule, subject to change:

SATURDAY 7th OCTOBER 2023:

10:30-11:30 Can Sönmez (Mount Chokes, Gi)
11:30-11:50 Open Mat
11:50-12:50 PJ Lucey (Lasso Guard, Gi)
12:50-13:10 Open Mat
13:10-14:10 Helen Harper (Wrestling, NoGi)
14:10-14:30 Open Mat

15:30-16:30 Trauma Informed Coaching, with Laurien Zurhake
16:30-18:00 München Walk
18:30-20:30 Dinner at Gaststätte Atzinger

SUNDAY 8th OCTOBER 2023

10:30-11:30 Can Sönmez (S Mount Attacks, Gi/NoGi)
11:30-11:50 Open Mat
11:50-12:50 Helen Harper (Wrestling, NoGi)
12:50-13:10 Open Mat
13:10-14:10 Chris Paines (Magic, Gi/NoGi)
14:10-14:30 Open Mat

Here’s a clip from the Artemis BJJ Hamburg Camp in 2022, to whet your appetite:

 

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Artemis BJJ Bristol Camp

CAMP DETAILS

The next Artemis BJJ Bristol Camp will take place from the 12th to the 15th July 2024, at our central location in Bristol, UK. That’s the same weekend as Bristol Pride, so there will be lots of opportunity for social fun off the mats too.

There are two rates (please note, both of them are non-refundable). For only the weekend, the standard Artemis BJJ Camp ticket is £75 (two days), while the full Long Weekend price for up to four days is just £95. There will be at least 30hrs of training in total, across Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, with both classes and open mat time (the ticket also includes access to local Artemis BJJ sessions). Planned social activities and optional excursions will also be available. If you would like to book your spot, contact info@artemisbjj.com

We’re still organising which instructors are joining us for Summer Camp 2024, but previous teachers have been Seymour Yang (famous for his Meerkatsu brand), Tanya Lindsay (instructor teaching in South West UK), Helen Harper (pro MMA fighter and TUF star), Knut Wake (from Bergen Grappling in Norway), PJ Lucey (head coach at SBG Killarney in Ireland), Hayley Carter (elite competitor from Total Grappling), Can Sönmez (head coach at Artemis BJJ), Anna Mack (from RGA Wien in Austria), Dónal Carmody (one of the first BJJ black belts from County Kerry in Ireland) and Jenn Briggs (experienced grappler based at RGA Chester).

View sample social and entertainment programme.

TICKETS

Tickets for our camps are non-refundable as the proceeds are 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 an event. Please follow the Artemis BJJ Facebook page if you would like to stay updated on future camps. For footage of previous camps, head over to Instagram.

SCHEDULE

If you’re looking for things to do when you’re not on the mats, take a look at the helpful info on our Bristol page. In terms of BJJ sessions, here is the provisional schedule, subject to change:

FRIDAY 12th JULY 2024

07:00-08:00 Artemis BJJ Class
12:30-13:30 Artemis BJJ Class
13:30-15:00 Lunch/Open Mat
15:00-16:00 Can Sönmez
16:00-16:20 Open Mat
16:20-17:20 Mike Buckman-Cowling
17:20-18:30 Open Mat
18:30-20:00 Artemis BJJ Class (Clifton Venue)

18:00-21:00 Food & drinks at Wiper & True

SATURDAY 13th JULY 2024:

09:00-10:00 TBC
10:00-10:20 Open Mat
10:20-11:20 Dónal Carmody
11:20-12:20 Lunch/Open Mat
12:20-13:20 TBC
13:20-13:40 Open Mat
13:40-14:40 Joanne Wellstead
14:40-16:00 Open Mat

14:00-00:00 Bristol Pride

19:00-21:00 Dinner

SUNDAY 14th JULY 2024

09:20-10:20 Helen Harper
10:30-11:45 Artemis BJJ Kids Class
11:45-12:00 Lunch/Open Mat
12:00-13:00 Pete Zawadzki
13:00-13:20 Open Mat
13:20-14:20 TBC
14:20-14:40 Open Mat
14:40-15:40 Seymour Yang
15:40-16:40 Open Mat

19:00-21:00 Dinner at Pieminister

MONDAY 15th JULY 2024

06:00-07:00 Artemis BJJ Class
10:00-11:00 Can Sönmez
11:00-11:20 Open Mat
11:20-12:20 Can Sönmez
12:20-15:00 Open Mat
18:30-19:30 Artemis BJJ Blue Belt+ Workshop
19:30-20:30 Artemis BJJ Beginners Class

Details of Artemis BJJ Charity GrappleThon 2022 For the Ukraine Crisis Appeal (Red Cross)

What: The concept behind a GrappleThon is very simple: at least two people are grappling at any one point over a predetermined period.

When: 14:00 on Saturday 4th June 2022 until 14:00 on Sunday 5th June 2022.

Where: At our central location in Bristol, by LA Gym (specifically, the LA Combat entrance, so keep walking when you see LA Gym). Head to 7 Easton Road, Bristol, BS5 0BY.

How: To take part, simply turn up and roll. If you want to earn a fantastic custom Meerkatsu t-shirt (kindly provided by Tatami Fightwear), there’s only one way: fundraise!  Head here for the main fundraising page. To earn a t-shirt, set up your own fundraising page supporting Ukraine, here. (be sure to contact us with the link, so we know you’re fundraising). Note that our limited number of t-shirts will be awarded in order of total amount fundraised, until we run out.

Why: Due to the horrifying humanitarian crisis taking place in the Ukraine, this year we will be supporting the Ukraine Crisis Appeal from the British Red Cross. To learn more about their important work, have a read of their website, here.

Donate: Head to our JustGiving donations page, here.

Press: Take a look at the Artemis BJJ press page for upcoming articles and interviews about the GrappleThon (as well as previous events), here. For pictures and videos from both previous and current Artemis BJJ GrappleThons, go to our Instagram channel.

Simultaneously with the GrappleThon, we’ll also be running a Rolla(d20)thon, aiming for 24hrs of continuous D&D. So even if you’re not super keen on BJJ, you can still take part (and with WiFi, you can join one of our DnD sessions wherever you are in the world).

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors, renowned BJJ apparel brand Tatami Fightwear and top BJJ artist Meerkatsu 

Artemis BJJ Central Bristol

Our main location in Central Bristol has a packed timetable of BJJ classes, with lots and lots of open mat. We normally have several classes a day, including both lunchtime and evening sessions. The entrance has a large X written above it.

7 Easton Road,
Bristol,
BS5 0BY

We are then up two flights of stairs. Be sure to take your shoes off before stepping onto the mat. If you’d like to carry your bike up, that’s fine, there is space to leave them by the wall. Be aware that the door may be shut during the daytime, so you will need to ask us for the code in advance.

Your first session is free, then after that it is £35 a month (for once a week training), or £50 if you want unlimited classes.

Details of Artemis BJJ Charity GrappleThon 2021 For Suicide Prevention Bristol

What: The concept behind a GrappleThon is very simple: at least two people are grappling at any one point over a predetermined period.

When: 14:00 on Saturday 4th December 2021 until 14:00 on Sunday 5th December 2021.

Where: At our central location in Bristol, by LA Gym (specifically, the LA Combat entrance, so keep walking when you see LA Gym). Head to 7 Easton Road, Bristol, BS5 0BY.

How: To take part, simply turn up and roll. However, please note that you will be required to show proof of your covid vaccination in order to attend. If you want to earn a fantastic custom Meerkatsu t-shirt (kindly provided by Tatami Fightwear), there’s only one way: fundraise!  Head here for the main fundraising page. To earn a t-shirt, set up your own fundraising page supporting Suicide Prevention Bristol, here. (be sure to contact us with the link, so we know you’re fundraising). Note that our limited number of t-shirts will be awarded in order of total amount fundraised, until we run out.

Why: After a difficult time for everybody’s mental health, this year we will be supporting Suicide Prevention Bristol. To learn more about their important work, have a read of their website, here.

Donate: Head to our JustGiving donations page, here.

Press: Take a look at the Artemis BJJ press page for upcoming articles and interviews about the GrappleThon (as well as previous events), here. For pictures and videos from both previous and current Artemis BJJ GrappleThons, go to our Instagram channel.

Simultaneously with the GrappleThon, we’ll also be running a Rolla(d20)thon, aiming for 24hrs of continuous D&D. So even if you’re not super keen on BJJ, you can still take part (and with WiFi, you can join one of our DnD sessions wherever you are in the world).

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors, renowned BJJ apparel brand Tatami Fightwear and top BJJ artist Meerkatsu 

Artemis BJJ Caldicot

This location has now closed

  • Artemis BJJ Caldicot BJJFrom the 20th August 2021 to 14th Feb 2023, we ran classes at Wye Gymnastics & Galaxy Cheerleading in Caldicot, Wales.

Our BJJ sessions were on  Fridays from 20:00-21:00, led by Mike. Head instructor Can also headed down to Caldicot. The address was:

Wye Gymnastics & Galaxy Cheerleading
53E-G Symondscliffe Way
Severnbridge Industrial Estate
Portskewett
Caldicot
NP26 5PW

If you have any questions, drop us a line on info@artemisbjj.com.

Your first session is free, then after that it is £35 a month (for once a week training), or £50 if you want unlimited classes (which include our two locations in Bristol, which are more established so have lots of sessions).

Coronavirus/COVID-19 Training Restrictions

All our instructors are either already vaccinated against covid, or will be getting the vaccine when offered. In order to welcome you back to the mats (note our updated class timetable), we’re taking a number of precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic (based on a thorough risk assessment):

1. In order to train, you will require either a grappling dummy (see instructions and video for making one at home below, it takes less than 5 mins), or a member of your household.

2. Our newly installed ventilation system at our Central venue can handle airflow for up to twenty people. Coupled with social distancing requirements, that means you must pre-book by emailing info@artemisbjj.com.

Note that our Clifton location is smaller, meaning class size is especially limited.

3. You will need to arrive at the gym already dressed for training, as changing rooms will be off-limits for the time being.

4. Social distancing must be maintained at all times, staying 2m away from everybody else.

5. Before entering the building, we will conduct temperature checks (37.5°C is the cut-off) and apply hand sanitiser

6. Before entering the matspace, everybody must wash their hands thoroughly

7. The matspace will be filled up from the furthest end first, leaving from the near end first when class finishes.

Building Your Own Grappling Dummy

All you will need is a large pillow (or two), at least three large towels and a hoody (ideally no zips). If you have a gi jacket and belt, that is best, but you can approximate the grips with a normal jacket or button up shirt (though be aware that less sturdy jackets/shirts may get ripped, so use an old one). The process shouldn’t take more than five minutes.

You will need to take your dummy both to and from training: given the risk of transmission and lack of space, we cannot store dummies at the gym.


If video isn’t loading, click here

General Points

DO NOT TRAIN IF YOU ARE FEELING UNWELL or showing cold or flu like symptoms: stay away for at least 14 days

DO NOT TRAIN with open cuts, skin abrasions or skin infections

MAKE SURE ALL YOUR TRAINING KIT is thoroughly washed before and after every session (gi, belt, rashguard, shorts, gumshield and any protective wear)

WASH YOUR HANDS (and the rest of you!) thoroughly with soap and water before and after training. Hand sanitiser is not a substitute for washing.

Do not be afraid to tell training partners not to train if you believe they might be at risk

During the pandemic, the class structure has been a little different, due to the necessary safety restrictions.To give you an idea of what to expect, here is an extended 30 minute clip from one of our modified classes:

We are following the UKBJJA guidance on COVID-19. As the situation develops, we will continue to review our policy.

1 New Purple Belt & 3 Blue Belts at Artemis BJJ Grading with Kev Capel

5th Grading Seminar (Dec 2019) with Kev Capel at Artemis BJJ Bristol Brazilian Jiu Jitsu group Thanks again to Kev for another great seminar and grading! For his fifth visit to Artemis BJJ, Kev shared some awesome mount and back techniques, along with a series of techniques. He and Can then promoted four people, including club stalwart Simon to a well deserved purple belt.

Our next grading will probably be next Summer again, although we have a number of people who are likely to get their blue belts after the Bristol Open in Feb 2020. The club is looking to send a large contingent as always, should be a fun day. 😀