Featured affiliated academy: Sarnia BJJ Guernsey
Where is Sarnia BJJ Guernsey gym located?
Guernsey in the Channel Islands.
How many people train there?
20-30
Is the gym growing – if so by how many new members each month or year?
It would be but for COVID-19!
What are the highest and lowest belt grades training?
Black through to white.
When did the gym open?
2018.
Please tell us the story of how your gym came into existence:
I returned home from London and wanted a Jiu Jitsu experience I couldn’t find elsewhere on the island, so I decided to try and create it.
Tell us about the people that train in the gym – who are they?
We have a great mix: we have young and old, women and men.
Some facts about you:
Name: Adrian
Age: 36
Belt: Brown
Gym: Sarnia BJJ Guernsey
Profession: Jiu-Jitsu teacher
Years in BJJ: 9
Other martial arts: Kickboxing in the past
Currently living in: Guernsey
Originally from: Guernsey
Why do they train?
We have students who train as a hobby, students who train for self defence, students who train for exercise, students who train for mental health, students who train for professional skills, and students who train for sport.
What are some of the challenges of running a BJJ gym in general and in your location specifically?
I think the biggest challenge by far is getting people through the door, and to come to enough lessons that they “get it”. Jiu Jitsu is so good that, with the right culture and teaching, people will fall in love with it. But trying to get people who’ve never heard of Jiu Jitsu to come and lie on top of a stranger is difficult. Guernsey is a little behind the times, and so the barriers here are probably even greater than they are in many places.
BJJ Guernsey
How do you see the future for BJJ in your area?
It’s going to be amazing. Jiu Jitsu is unheard of for most of the islanders. It’s going to be great to see the benefit it can do for the community.
What’s the best thing about your gym?
How committed all the students are to making a positive environment which is inclusive and fun for all. I have been to many gyms which are great if you are a certain type of person or practitioner, but I think it’s a real testament to our students that whether you are shy, non-physical, and new to Jiu Jitsu or confident, strong, and experienced you’ll have a great time.
What would you recommend Globetrotters to see in your area apart from the inside of your gym?
The beaches, the cliff paths, the beautiful island!
