Featured affiliated academy: Hold Fast Grappling, Alaska
Where is the gym located?
Homer, Alaska, USA.
How many people train there?
Currently about 60 students.
Is the gym growing – if so by how many new members each month or year?
We get 4-5 new members each month
What are the highest and lowest belt grades training?
Currently we have white through brown belts training with us.
When did Hold Fast Grappling, Alaska open?
We opened June 2024.
Some facts about you:
Name: Jordan Kontra
Age: 43
Belt: 3rd degree Black Belt
Profession: Jiu Jitsu instructor
Years in BJJ: 18 years
Other martial arts: Sankyu in Judo, casual May Thai practitioner
Currently living in: Homer, Alaska
Originally from: Willow, Alaska
Please tell us the story of how your gym came into existence
A group of Jiu Jitsu enthusiasts approached us to help start a gym in Homer. After checking out the community we decided to take a leap of faith and make the move!
Tell us about the people that train in the gym – who are they?
We are the “bad news bears” at Hold Fast Grappling. Everything from fisherman, to policeman, to welders, to plastic surgeons, to authors.
Why do they train in Hold Fast Grappling, Alaska?
For community, health, and therapy.
What are some of the challenges of running a BJJ gym in general, and in your area specifically?
Generally the most difficult thing is realizing that I can’t save everyone with Jiu Jitsu the way Jiu Jitsu saved me. The best I can do is expose people to the sport, my passion for it, and the community.
Specifically: essentially the entire community is comprised of seasonal workers (fishing and tourism based) and we lose almost our entire student base for the summer months.
How do you see the future for BJJ in your area?
There’s a significant wrestling community in the area and with time I see a healthy crossover between the two.
What’s the best thing about Hold Fast Grappling, Alaska?
The best thing about our gym is the individuals within it. The group we have in the gym so far is ecstatic to have jiu jitsu available in their area. They’re hungry for it and clearly desire to share it with everyone they come across.
What would you recommend Globetrotters to see in your area apart from the inside of your gym?
It’s Alaska. Experience as much of it as possible while visiting. All things any outdoor enthusiast could ever desire and the beauty is never ending. Witness the majesty of mountains erupting directly from the ocean floor, wildlife directly outside your doorstep and as much adventure you can handle.
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