Van Isle Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Great Island Jiujitsu! Great team to visit, very welcoming and beautiful gym. JM and his crew are great instructors, go here if you want great BJJ. I’ll be back!

If you're reading this and thinking about whether you should start BJJ - book the session and go.

I've never met a more welcoming community or people in a sport. It can be intimidating but Jean Marc and everyone else I've spoken to at Van Isle has been helpful and reminding me that everyone in the gym has started where you are.

Awesome space, great sport. Check 'em out.

I’ve been training here for 4-5 months. JM, Matt and the whole Van Isle crew are super welcoming. Very high level, technical Jiu Jitsu, and the school is clean and spacious. The best place on the South Island to train!

This is one of the best places you can train, world-class facilities, amazing and caring coaches and of course an amazing community of people.

I would highly recommend this place for anyone to train.

As a person who has been passionate about Jiu-Jitsu for some years now, and since I recently moved to Canada, I was looking for a place where the true Jiu-Jitsu lifestyle could be experienced, and that is exactly what I found here!

From the first day you arrive, the teachers and students make you feel welcome, everyone here is friendly and supportive!

The jiu-jitsu here is top-notch, which reflects the knowledge of the professors Matt and Jean-Marc DeGroot, IBJJF certified black belts, active competitors, and international medalists! And who you can see every day in the academy teaching the classes and giving advice to students to improve!

Something that I really liked is that classes and schedules are structured so that you have a great learning experience, the classes are perfectly prepared and have a sequence and continuity, where you can learn from the most basic to the most modern and advanced!

The academy facilities are great! The training area is huge, with new and high-quality tatamis, dressing rooms, washrooms sauna, and showers.which are always extremely clean!

Something to highlight is that this academy is for everyone, and for all ages! Whether you are looking to train as a competitor, learn self-defense, or just exercise and have fun learning this beautiful martial art!

Highly recommended!

I’ve been to other gyms but this place is on another level. Friendly, clean, spacious, with tons of classes! They have bjj gi, no gi, wrestling, and judo classes. The sauna is a nice touch too. Highly recommmend!

Incredible instructors and students that are a pleasure to train with! Tonnes of experience there, clean facilities and a great schedule to make attending classes more convenient while giving you the flexibility to train more often. They offer a huge variety of different training sessions at all skill levels.

I came from the east coast on a course for a few months so i took advantage of the free time and learned a lot. I will definitely miss JM and Matt's group but will return someday if i am ever back on the west coast!

Van Isle Jiu Jitsu is an awesome gym with great training for people of all skill levels! The overall culture is incredibly positive and the instructors are very knowledgeable and welcoming. Whether you’re an experienced grappler or a complete beginner, Van Isle has a lot to offer to everyone!

Having just recently completed my first full year at van isle, I can confirm that the honeymoon phase you feel when you first walk in doesn’t fade.

JM and Matt are both awesome guys and are always willing to accommodate all types of students. Regardless of your skill level, body type, or goals in Jiu Jitsu, they somehow have manage to keep the enthusiasm of complete beginners and it rubs off in each and every class. It genuinely feels like they are stoked to help everyone learn the art of Jiu Jitsu. This enthusiasm paired with the clear knowledge and skill set they’ve both acquired through long and successful competitive careers, in my opinion, creates a contagious learning environment that will have you leaving every class feeling like you’re a better version of yourself than when you walked in.

JM has a knack for learning names quickly and makes a point of greeting everyone individually whenever possible. Matt also regularly takes the extra second in between classes he’s teaching to come over and say hi to everyone who’s arrived for the next lesson. Naturally, that demeanour has spilled over through the rest of the gym and creates a really welcoming environment. In my experience, little things like that go a long way in making one feel comfortable when taking that scary first step into the gym for the first time.

Pair two first class humans up with an incredible facility (that they largely built with their own hands!) featuring brand new mats, sauna, clean change room and showers, and very quickly you’ll see you’ve found yourself a gym you’ll frequent for the foreseeable future

I've trained at a few gyms and Van Isle is by far the best. The coaching is excellent, the community is welcoming, and it's generally great! I can't recommend this gym enough.

We started our kids at Van Isle maybe 1.5 years ago and have loved it from the very start! The kids coaches have been amazing. It’s a perfect balance of discipline and playfulness to keep the kids engaged. They loved it so much that I joined myself in February. I was quite nervous to start never having done any martial arts and not knowing if there would be many women in the co-ed classes but from the very first class the other people there and the coaches were welcoming and encouraging and made me feel at home! Now I can’t wait to get to the classes and wish I could do more! Thanks so much van isle! Can’t wait to continue my journey with you guys!

Van Isle BJJ is an amazingly positive atmosphere that provides the highest quality of grappling. Clean, welcoming and incredibly skilled instructors. Highly recommend for everyone!

I came in very nervous and was actually surprised how welcoming everyone was and is. I have made lifelong friends in just the year I've been at this gym. The instructing is amazing and everyone is willing to help you with whatever you need. Its an atmosphere I haven't had at any other gym or sport I've been a part of.

I joined VanIsle during the pandemic from a Gracie Barra gym in Vancouver. I was impressed by the high standards VanIsle set during these testing times so everyone could still safely do what they love.
The VanIsle team put an emphasis on high level coaching as well as creating a friendly environment. I already have and will keep recommending this place as one of the best gyms I know to everyone that wants to hear it.

Van Isle BJJ makes me feel at home! We have great people here, and the gym culture is the best in town!

I cannot recommend training here highly enough. High-level instruction, a warm welcoming friendly community, a clean, safe, well-maintained training environment, and on top of all that in-house showers and sauna. Can't beat it!

Love Van Isle! An excellent school that offers thorough instruction from a variety of amazing teachers. Thankful I have the opportunity to train with them! Jean Marc and Matt are super cool guys and I like the ethos of their academy and the whole chill, welcoming vibe! Thanks guys!

I have to say that Van Isle is amazing! I have been training since the beginning of June. I got the 1 year plan. I got a free month, a free gi and a free shirt when I signed up. What a great value. The owners. (Jp and Mat) are fantastic. The coaches are all great and they know there Jiu-jitsu. And are very personable. The gym is super clean and well kept. I started this journey to give myself something to focus on that isn't work and family. If you want a great work out and knowledge that in a bad situation, you can defend yourself. This is the place. And as it turns out, I gained a new family and could not be happier! I look forward to the years to come!
Thanks Van Isle BBJ!

Awesome crew️- JM, Matt and the instructors know their stuff, no egos, will train at any level with some competition if desired. Great place to train, professional, respectful and clean.

Signed up for the year 4 months ago and haven’t looked back since. I was a soft 205 pounds when I started at van isle and I’m already down 20 pounds from going 2-4 times a week.

The facility is top notch, The Matt’s are soft, sauna and showers on site. There is a variety of class types and times. Gi, no gi, self defence, sport jiu jitsu, competition class, women’s only and kids.

The classes themselves are challenging and relevant for self defence. The coaches want you to succeed and from my experience are happy to take the extra time to teach you if you’re on the Matt’s. If you don’t like doing sit ups. Join jiu jitsu.

I am new to jiu jitsu, but as someone who is middle aged getting into the sport, the classes have been extremely informative and welcoming.there is a nice balance of beginners and experienced practitioners to work with, and the atmosphere is ideal for learning. I have enjoyed every class and I would recommend this to anyone looking for a change of routine or for someone wanting to learn something new.

Melhor academia de BJJ na Ilha de Vancouver, excelente professores. Ótimo lugar para aprender Jiu-Jitsu e fazer novas amizades!

The best BJJ academy in Vancouver Island, excellent teachers. Great place to learn Jiu-Jitsu and make new friends!

Incredible experience.

Never participated in any sports activities before trying bjj at van isle. During my first class had no clue what i was doing, but staff were incredibly helpful and supportive. They soon got me addicted to the sport. Bjj not only keeps me in shape but it also melts the days stress away.

I was very nervous to start training but the coaches and atmosphere in general, quickly made me look forward to training. Everyone is very helpful and patient with me which i value dearly. The pace of classes are really fun and engaging and there's never a moment I don't want to be there.

Awesome gym, everyone is very welcoming and friendly. Class schedule and curriculum is planned out well, and the gym has great amenities (sauna, change-rooms, showers) Highly recommended.

I started a little over a month ago with no experience in any form of martial arts. I didn't really know what to expect on my first day but the coaches are all incredibly knowledgeable, patient and will walk you through the different techniques being taught every session which I appreciated greatly.

Also, the gym itself was absolutely beautiful with the floor and walls completely matted out. They have one end of the room open so there is great airflow going through the gym which was a big plus for me especially with the whole Covid thing. Needless to say I signed up after the first class and I'm so glad I did.

Van Isle BJJ is a great environment to train. Friendly professional atmosphere made me feel at home from the moment I walked in.

Great Coaches and great training partners in all sizes and skill levels. I've really enjoyed training at Van Isle BJJ for the past 2 years and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the gym.

This Jiu Jitsu academy is exceptional. The first thing I noticed when I walked into the door was the atmosphere. The community that everyone at VIBJJ has created is unlike any other. The instructors are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about Jiu Jitsu, and their lessons are filled with technical details you might overlook. The gym is spotless, and the facilities are excellent (there’s even a sauna!). VIBJJ offers outstanding training for beginners and experienced grapplers alike. I came into my first class with no experience and vast amounts of anxiety but left with a hunger for more knowledge and a one-year subscription. VIBJJ is an incredible place with incredible people, so if you are looking to train Jiu Jitsu, look no further.

Started training here and absolutely love it. All the instructors are phenomenal and the students are great to train with. Perfect gym for beginners wanting to get into bjj.

The staff and trainers at VIBJJ are polite, welcoming and knowledgeable. Their quick email responses to my inquiries was very appreciated The atmosphere they cultivate is one of fun and serious training and as a new member really feel I'm learning valuable fundamentals with a dash of "check this out that you will learn later "
Really enjoying everything about VIBJJ and if you're advanced, do other martial arts, or are a beginner who has always wanted to start you should come check em out!

Moved to island to train with the De Groot brothers. The experience has surpassed my expectations. The training and coaching is super high level and professional and out importantly the community is one of the best I've seen.

Great for all levels, new or experienced.

I swear they'll take me far. Intelligent, kind, and patient coaches every where work hard to teach all of us, even new initiates.

While working with a more advanced students, We work together to figure things out before asking for help. This is a great way see how intelligent the other students are as well

Tl;dr fantastic lessons and great people surrounding and learning with you.

-Michael

Been attending for a few months now and absolutely love it here! The gym is clean and well-maintained, and the energy is fantastic.

There's a lot of classes throughout the week so I'm able to make classes despite my schedule. The instructors are fantastic - helpful, knowledgeable, respectful and patient. It's a good environment to learn -especially if you have no martial arts background.

I also really appreciate that it's a safe and comfortable space with diverse students and coaches! Great place for a new hobby that keeps you fit and develops confidence!

I first had a doubt joining Van Isle BJJ gym, but now I love it so much that I attend multiple classes in a day. Instructors are nice. They make sure that you understand each ju jitsu move in detail. Great cardio/self defense training
I highly recommend it to anybody.

I am a very small person who had experience in martial arts but I wasn't confident in self defence until I've learned Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I really believe it's the most effective martial arts for self defence and it's a great sport as well. Van Isle BJJ is a very good quality BJJ gym and there are many awesome people here.

Having experienced their kids classes pre and post pandemic, I can safely report that my 6 year old loves this place. The instructors handle the kids perfectly, and mine is learning invaluable lessons. From the structure to the activities, we have never been disappointed here. I hope we have many more years there.

I look forward to every class at Van Isle BJJ. Not only is there a great community and exceptional facilities, but all of the instruction is super high quality.
I have come to appreciate the excellent lesson planning provided at several difficulty levels, the professionalism provided by the instructors, and the high standard of cleanliness and hygiene (especially during the last 18 months).
The instructors all make a sincere effort to remember everyone's names, even if it's only your first or second time there! A next-to-impossible feat, but somehow they manage it.
I came to this gym without any prior experience and an open mind, and now I see why so many people stick around.
Thanks to all of you at VIBJJ for making it an amazing place to be.
Keep up the great work!

Certainly, the best team in Canada! Being an international student, having practice Jiujitsu in other countries, Jean-Marc and Matt De Groot made me feel home and part of the Van Isle team. They are both very talented coaches that have helped me further improve my game. I have had some amazing sparrings here, everyone is supportive and willing to help you out. If you happen to be in Victoria, definitely check them out!

The people here are what really makes this place special. From the very talented instructors, to the students of the class - it's a great environment for absolute beginners to learn the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

The facilities are very clean and well-kept.

Keep up the great work guys!

Great instructors and a very friendly atmosphere. If you're interested in focusing on BJJ, this is the best gym in Victoria!

I've been going to Van Isle for the last four months and I love it. There is a great sense of community, and the people there (both the coaches and other members) have been super welcoming. Knowledgeable coaches and a friendly atmosphere have made this a great experience.

The kids program here is well thought out, you can tell a lot of time and care was put into designing it. My son is excited to come to class every session and it's a great way for him to blow off steam. The De Groot brothers are teaching life skills, discipline and self confidence to the kids they instruct and the "Warrior's Creed" that the kids repeat at the end of every class reinforces the studio's commitment to shaping young minds.

I trained at van isle sporadically throughout high school, and after graduating and spending three months in the east coast visiting high profile gyms, I realized that the best training I had received had been right here all along. The technical training is top notch, you'd be hard pressed to participate in a class where you don't have some epiphany about a position or technique. The instructors have a real passion for the art, and are active, word class competitors. I often find the questions I ask after class evolving into detailed technical breakdowns. And their enthusiasm bleeds through to the more social aspects of gym culture. They make a point of remembering everyone's name (which is virtually impossible), and go out of their way to make people feel welcome. The example they set is followed by everyone I've met on the mats, and it's not an exaggeration to say that my best friends in Victoria have been made here. The facility is beautiful.clean mats, showers, a sauna. It feels like every time I walk in the door there's an upgrade somewhere.

If you're looking for somewhere to learn bjj, go here. If you're not looking for somewhere to train, going to van isle will probably change your mind.

Our son does the kids jiu jitsu class, the coaches are patient with the kids! It a very clean and hygentic place, good energy, and fun for all! Would recommend to anyone looking for a martial art for their children.

The Van Isle BJJ club is well deserving of the recently acquired Best in the City Awards for many reasons. I will attempt to highlight some reasons that I think make this club unique.

1) Hygiene: the club owners keep the mats spotless and use a pressurized antibacterial cleansing solution frequently. In addition before entering onto the tatami, feet are rinsed in this antibacterial solution and dried on a towel.

2) Passion: the DeGroot brothers devote a considerable amount of energy making continual improvements at the club including building of a sauna for trainees to relax sore muscles, showers, and an impact resistant tatami mat cushioning support better ensuring the safety of their athletes.
The DeGroot brothers have built a world class jiujitsu community and have numerous devoted disciples, so there are many different types of people and body types to train with, which is an optimal training environment for this style of martial art.
In addition, a climate emphasizing mutual welfare and growth has been cultivated creating a warm welcoming atmosphere. Also they play cool music during training.

3) Technology: the science behind the techniques taught at the academy guarantee a steep learning curve for those new to the art.
Having been a member for many years, I've noticed the beginners starting to progress at rates much faster than when the club was still in its infancy, indeed the steep learning curve has only gotten steeper.
Right after walking into the club take a look on the right hand side, there is a chest full of medals won by the club. The super-polished techniques taught at Van Isle BJJ have a proven track record on both the national and international level, these techniques work and have been tested in actual combat.

Great coaches, very professional and personal. The facility is very hygienic, mats are cleaned after every practice. The hours are very condoning to training and work well with my busy schedule. It has been my best training experience up to date.

Very passionate instructors, price is fairly high but the attention they pay to your children makes everything worth it. The coaches are very patient with the young ones, and provide a perfect learning atmosphere. Overall impressed!

A professional, clean and fun place to train. Amazing customer service and the coaches are all very personable. Lots of variety in training opportunity and awesome business hours to accomodate your busy schedule. I always look forward to my training days!

Super friendly, proficient and supportive team. Jean-Marc is an authentic, friendly and engaging instructor and the team around him is friendly and skilled

I've trained at the top BJJ academies in the UK and some big-name places in California - in my opinion, Van Isle is up there with all of them. The gym is purpose built, filled with talented and friendly people and CLEAN (which can be a rarity in Victoria). The instruction is clear, focused and passionate. I'm new in town and tried out some other places, but Van Isle was the best fit for me. I recommend checking it out.