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

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

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:

Rafael Lovato Jr seminar at new affiliate and GMA members Kaboom BJJ. Photo: Kaboom BJJ

GMA member Rafael Lovato, Jr. is an American black belt world champion who resides in the midwest state of Oklahoma. His reach, and we’re not talking about his long arms even though they are impressive too, extends all over the world including another one of our GMA members Kabir Bath.

The brown belt in Surrey, BC runs Kaboom BJJ and after holding a seminar with Lovato, was granted with an official title of affiliate.

Rafael writes on his facebook page: “I had an awesome day teaching my seminar at Kaboom Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Mixed Martial Arts today in Surrey, BC, Canada! I had a great group of students soaking up all of my techniques and giving me some great energy! At the end of the seminar, I had the pleasure to recognize Coach Kabir Bath and Kaboom BJJ as an official Lovato Jiu-Jitsu affiliate and award Kabir with his first stripe on his Brown Belt! I’ve had such a great time here in Vancouver and I really appreciate all of the hospitality I have received from the Bath family and the Kaboom students.”

Don’t miss out on his run of visits down the west coast, visiting another GMA Seaside Jiu-Jitsu next Saturday, July 20!

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.

Professor:

Black Belt Kabir Bath

Address: 12066 86th Ave
, Surrey, BC V3W 3H7

Phone: 1 604 781 7486

Website: www.kaboombjj.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kabir.bath?fref=ts

About:

Martial arts is so ingrained into my life, that I can’t imagine my life without it. More importantly, I can’t image my life without the gift of bringing martial arts to our community. It’s why I get up in the morning with so much enthusiasm, and why I work as hard as I can to make my martial arts school an amazing experience for everyone who walks through our doors.

Here’s a glimpse into the results of this effort. You’ll find out a bit about our instructors, how we do things here, our facility, as well as what martial arts is really all about.

Read it over, and give us a call when you’re done to get started now. I can’t wait for martial arts to become a part of your life, too.

Passionate Instructors Who Really Care.
One of the biggest pieces of feedback we get is about our instructors. The men, women & children of our community just can’t get enough of their passion and enthusiasm. That’s because martial arts isn’t a “hobby” or something our instructors just “do on the weekends.” It’s something they believe in. Something that’s embedded into every area of their lives.

And our instructors can’t help but pass along this enthusiasm and passion onto every student they encounter. They’re motivational, encouraging, supportive, and knowledgeable. Have a question? A challenge? A problem? They’ve got you covered.

An Uplifting, Clean & Safe Environment.
Martial arts training requires falling and landing on cushioned mats, and doing exercises and drills that require getting down on the floor. As such, we take great pride in keeping our matted floors impeccably clean, and our equipment safe and up to date. You’ll have no worries working with our equipment. And the moment you walk through our doors, you’ll notice that we take great care of our studio – because we want you to have a great experience here.

Community.
Entire families train with us here. Kids train with kids. Adults train with adults. Lots of our members live within walking distance of each other, and many are friends outside of our classes. The result: a close, family-like sense of community here. And the moment you join our classes, you’ll feel right at home with this community.

Students who have been training for a while help out the beginners. Exercises often require partners, and students take advantage of this to encourage and cheer each other on.

No one is competing with anyone else here. No one is trying to “show off” or “out do” the next guy. Everyone just wants to learn and grow and help each other out.

Get Started Now.

I can’t wait to meet you in person, and help you reach your goals with martial arts. Whether you’re looking for fitness, inner-growth, or self-defense – we’ll help you get there.

Sincerely,
Kabir Bath