Filip Matos and some of the gi donations. Photo: Personal archive

In Canada, a special charity project has been growing in numbers. What started as a small idea to bring gis back home to Brazil turned into a large pool of donators who have helped accomplish much more than anticipated.

Professor Filip Matos of Gracie Barra North Vancouver started the project without realizing it would become a project at all. Here is how almost 200 gis were gathered to be donated:

“It started when my boss surprised me with airfare for a flight to go home to Brazil to see my family (I hadn’t seen them for 3 years). I was touched by his generosity. I wish I can do something so generous one day.

I knew one guy in my town who teaches Jiu-Jitsu at his home for kids/teens/adults who cannot afford it. I had three old gis still in good condition that I wasn’t using, so I thought to bring them with me and give them to him for his students.

More gi donations. Photo: Personal archive

I thought to maybe text some of my friends and ask if they had any old gis to give as well. I have good friends. Kabir Bath, Jason Gagnon and Walter Buse–they all got on social media and asked all their friends and students to give gis, too. The BJJ community came through. I started going to the gyms to teach classes, take pictures and pick up gis. The first week I got over 20; I was so happy. The next week I got over 50! I was happy but worried. I didn’t know how I would get all the gis to Brazil. Me and my girlfriend were folding so many gis every night. I talked to a friend of mine and he told me: “Charity is not easy, but it’s worth it.”

Again I asked for help and the BJJ community supported me. People started to give donations for shipping, too. I’ve been to schools from Chilliwack to Squamish, and had donations from as far away as Vernon.

After just 3 weeks people have donated almost 200 gis and given over $1200 cash. Now I can send gis to Brazil and to the Philippines. This idea to take three gis has turned into being able to help students who can’t afford at many schools. This is important for me.

Even more important for me is seeing how well the BJJ community in British Columbia, Canada is growing. We can train together, compete together and support each other.

Kabir Bath of GMA Kaboom BJJ was one of the connections Filip had made to get the word out. His response to the outpouring of donations:

Donations at GMA Kaboom BJJ. Photo: Kabir Bath

“When Professor Filip first messaged me telling me about his plan for the gi drive, I thought it was a great idea. Over the past two years, I’ve been working to really unite the BJJ community in BC. It’s been a great success, and it’s very satisfying to see our BJJ community unite to help support the community at large. I knew the community would pull through again if we could spread awareness, so the first thing I did was get a video out on social media letting everyone know about the cause. Raising awareness was one thing, but I wanted to really help Professor make this a success. I followed up with more videos giving academy owners tips on how to motivate their students to contribute to the cause. A lot of the participating academies adopted some of the ideas, and it was a great success. It was beautiful to see the BJJ community unite to raise over $1000 dollars for shipping costs, as well as over 200 kimonos. I am proud of how our community has grown closer in the last two years. I’m excited about all the great work we can do in the future together!”

You can still donate. If you’re in the BC area you can donate at your gym and Filip will find a way to pick them up. If not, you can always donate funds here: http://www.gofundme.com/ijtrlo

Also, you can stay in contact with Filip for how to spread the word to your own academy: filipmatosbjj@live.com

All the professors involved. Photo: Personal archive

A team of passionate Jiu-Jitsu lovers are about to prove their passion for something else– awareness for men’s health. On Nov. 22, Gravity BJJ in Surrey, BC will hold their third annual Movember Rollathon.

For 24 hours straight, there will be at least two people sparring on the mats. At 9 a.m. there will be cross-training for the kids and the adults will step up and train in a class at 10 a.m. By 8 p.m. there will be a Mustache Strut-Off Competition to keep the mood light along with raffles from sponsors.

This charity event will raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer research, a topic that doesn’t get enough attention. Organizer Sofie Zambas has run these events successfully twice now and the outcomes have always proven that each year it can make a difference.

If you aren’t around the area in Canada you can donate here: http://ca.movember.com/team/1525017 

If you would like further information or would like to learn how you can get involved, please contact Sofie Zambas at sofie@gravitybjj.ca or 604-780-5154.

Members of Gracie Barra Vancouver were able to help a woman in distress outside their academy recently.

A carjacker reached into a woman’s car for her keys and when she defended, he bit her.

Brown belt Raz Chan and other members of the academy were able to subdue the suspect until police arrived.

Have you ever had to use your Jiu-Jitsu on the streets? Let us know in the comments below!

You can check out the full video here:

http://bc.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=415772&binId=1.1184694&playlistPageNum=1

This Saturday, June 21, head instructor Kabir Bath will be holding a charity seminar at his GMA academy, Kaboom BJJ in Surrey, BC. The seminar will be a no-gi experience from 12 to 2 p.m. with Kabir who is a brown belt under Rafael Lovato Jr.

The event will be donation only and support the organization, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, or MADD.

The location is 12066 86 Ave Surrey, BC Canada V3W3H7.

For more information go to www.kaboombjj.com

Rafael Lovato Jr vs. Kayron Gracie at Metamoris Pro

Black belt world champion Rafael Lovato Jr. of GMA Lovato’s School of BJJ & MMA will be at GMA Kaboom BJJ in Surrey, BC on March 23 for a two-hour seminar.

This event will be open to all academies and affiliates. The address of the seminar is: 12066 86 Avenue Surrey, BC V3W3H7

Right now you can reserve your spot with the early bird rate for $90. After March 1, the rate will go up to $110 per person.

The discounted rate is only available to the first 30 students so register now at http://mastdnts.com/?EV–bcXg
Learn more about Kaboom BJJ at www.kaboombjj.com

Team Ribeiro Canada with the first place team trophy at the 2013 BC Provincial BJJ Championship

On Saturday, Nov. 16 GMA Kaboom BJJ took part in winning the team trophy for Team Ribeiro Canada at the 2013 CBJJF BC Provincial BJJ Championship n BC, Canada. Alongside three other academies under the Ribeiro banner, Kabir Bath and his students helped to earn the necessary points for claiming the adult first place team position.

James Puopolo seminar at Seaside BJJ. Photo: Adamson Brothers

GMA member Kabir Bath is hosting a James Puopolo seminar at his Kaboom BJJ academy in Surrey, British Columbia.

James Puopolo is a black belt under Rafael Lovato Jr. who has placed and won at major tournaments such as the World Championship, Pan American Championship and has competed in the 2011 ADCC. This year he will also be competing in the 2013 edition of the ADCC in Beijing, China.

The seminar will cost $50 and run from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m.

To reserve your spot call 604-781-7486

Check out this video from fellow GMA members Nate and Zach Adamson who hosted James Puopolo for a seminar as well:

Kaboom BJJ leader Kabir Bath with his professor Tim Shears. Photo: Facebook

Our GMA members from Kaboom BJJ in Surrey, British Columbia celebrated their first anniversary with a party on June 1.

Watch the video below to see all the excitement and congratulations to Kabir Bath and the Kaboom BJJ family.