The Grappler’s Retreat is a Jiu Jitsu Training Sanctuary, built in the woods on a secluded stretch of the rugged Northern California coast.
We take pride in offering an incredible experience centered around world-class training, gathering together for gourmet chef-prepared meals, and connecting in one of America’s most epic natural settings.
July 2-6, 2024: with Vlad Koulikov (No-Gi)
Celebrate Independence Day with us at Grappler’s Retreat!
Whether you’re a 50+ year-old Jiu Jitsu hobbyist who simply loves it… or a 23 year-old aspiring competitor… come join us. It’s all about deep learning, connecting with good people, and enjoying the journey.
We generally cater to the 30 - 50 year-old crowd (and older!), but ages 18+ are absolutely most welcome (exceptions can be made for experienced and mature youths (ages 16+), so long as they are accompanied by a parent who is also training).
We get white belts through black belts signing up (white belts should have some formal training at a local BJJ academy before joining a retreat).
An Overview of the Grappler’s Retreat Experience:
Private bedrooms… so you can check out any time you need to relax in your own personal private space, and recharge on your own (no bunkhouses or “group cabins” here). High speed WiFi is in your bedroom and throughout the property.
The dojo, the clubhouse, the guest lodge, and all the amenities have been purposefully built within the Grappler’s Retreat training sanctuary… and everything will be taken care of for you during your stay.
Twice-daily small-group training sessions led by Vlad (all No-Gi). 16 students max, so the learning environment and level of connection is like no other camp out there.
On a couple of the days, we’ll head out on a gentle coastal hike, a trek to the waterfall, or to the epic Big River estuary — but you’re always welcome to stay put at the forested retreat compound if you’d rather relax on your own between training sessions.
We’ll have a fire roaring in the club house, a massive hot tub sitting amongst the redwoods, and an outdoor cedar sauna to loosen up the muscles and get us ready for the next day’s training sessions.
Evenings are chill: pour yourself a drink and dive into stories with the rest of the crew around the bonfire.
We’ll be treated to three gourmet chef-prepared meals each day. Get ready for an incredible experience.
Vlad Koulikov sharing some clinch-work fundamentals with the group. Grappler’s Retreat summer 2022.
Come solo or come with a friend. In case you’re wondering, 90% come solo... Once you get here, you’re part of the family.
Vlad Koulikov is one of the very few people who holds rank of Black Belt in both Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Judo, along with ‘Master of Sport’ in Russian Sambo. He’s a phenomenal grappler and an even better teacher.
Vlad has been a great friend for many years. He’s one of the most solid human beings we know, and he’s just an absolute pleasure to spend the week with!
While we may work on some standup clinch-work, Vlad’s instruction during this camp will focus on submission grappling ground positions. All are welcome — don’t worry about getting thrown around — Vlad is one of the nicest and most caring instructors we’ve ever had the pleasure of hosting!
With Vlad and the Grappler’s Retreat crew, there will be about 20 of us. This isn’t a huge training camp. Look forward to a relaxed vibe and a world-class BJJ training experience.
Vlad Koulikov teaching alongside his top student, Mike Palladino.
click the Video below for a glimpse of what it’s like to spend a week at the Grappler’s Retreat:
We cap all of our retreats at 16 sign-ups… so the learning environment is like no other camp out there, and the level of connection among the instructor and our small group is simple and genuine.
The Grappler’s Retreat is a remote Training Sanctuary, built in the woods on a secluded stretch of the rugged Northern California coast.
The Retreat is surrounded by thousands of acres of redwood wilderness, and situated only a mile up the hill from the crashing waves of the Pacific ocean. The area is sparsely developed. The nature is epic.
We take pride in offering an incredible experience centered around world-class training, gathering together for gourmet chef-prepared meals, and connecting in one of America’s most epic natural settings.
Expect a relaxed retreat experience, with mat time focused on deep learning and technical growth.
Meet the Instructor
Vlad Koulikov:
Widely considered one of the great teachers of modern grappling, Vlad holds ranks of Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Black Belt in Judo, and “Master of Sport” in Sambo.
Besides being a fantastic instructor and an absolute wizard on the mat, Vlad is simply an awesome guy to hang out with. He’s an intellectual and a great human being — and that’s why we keep inviting him back!
As one of the world’s most sought after grappling instructors, Vlad has traveled the world teaching clinics. He possesses the patience and mindset to teach beginners, and the skill and experience to help even the highest-level Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioners modernize their games. He is a tremendous representative and ambassador for the sport.
Vlad is a World Champion competitor — most recently taking Gold at the Combat Wrestling World Championships in Japan (in dominant fashion!). In addition, he has taken medals in countless Grappling, Sambo, and Jiu Jitsu tournaments in Russia and in the United States. His focus today, however, is teaching and sharing his love of the art with others.
The Jiu Jitsu Experience will be absolutely incredible, but there’s so much more :)
You’ll be visiting one of the most beautiful places in North America, experiencing nature at its purest, connecting with like-minded individuals striving to better themselves in all things, and resting from the stresses of your daily routine. You’ll be surrounded by incredible people at a once in a lifetime gathering, yet you’ll have the sanctuary of your own private comfortable space at the Retreat.
It’s a different world out here. Come join us.
Gourmet Dining - this isn’t just a Training Camp, it’s a proper Vacation
Schedule (July 2-6, 2024):
Arrive July 2nd any time between 4:00pm and 10:00pm... check into your room and make yourself at home! Explore the grounds of the retreat, enjoy a soak in the hot tub, get some sun on the deck, chill with a book in the club house, have a beer around the bonfire, and get to know the rest of the crew as you settle in for an incredible week of training and relaxing in paradise.
Twice daily training sessions Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Plus, between training sessions, we keep the dojo open during the day for anyone interested in spending some extra time on the mat for stretching, drilling, or sparring.
In addition to all the dojo sessions, we’ll mix it up on some of the days and head down the hill for a coastal hike, or to Big River estuary for a plunge in the river (the scenery is absolutely epic on the Mendocino coast!)
Every morning we’ll have coffee brewing in the clubhouse, with fresh breakfasts “made to order”. And we prepare delicious lunches every day after the first training session, and gather together for dinner feasts in the evenings… with bonfires most nights.
Depart Saturday July 6th by 11am after having a gourmet breakfast and taking your time to chill out at the retreat and say your goodbyes…
Where: Mendocino, Northern California at the Grappler’s Retreat Training Compound (about 1-mile from the town of Mendocino)
Getting to the Retreat:
click here for details and travel tips: https://www.grapplersretreat.com/travel
Pricing
As low as $1,200 if staying offsite (includes gourmet meals every day, twice-daily small-group training sessions with Vlad, enjoyment of the retreat sanctuary’s amenities (hot tub, sauna, clubhouse, nightly bonfires, etc), and other organized activities… just book your own room in Mendocino Village).
*Click here for info on booking your own lodging off-site: www.grapplersretreat.com/lodging
And from $1,750 all inclusive (with on-site bedroom at the retreat)… Your booking fee includes:
Your own private, modern bedroom… comfortably furnished with fresh beddings, in-room heat, and high-speed wi-fi.
Our own private sanctuary for the week: there will be no one else here except for our small group. The forested retreat compound features: a huge luxury hot tub and outdoor cedar sauna nestled in the woods, a spacious clubhouse, newly built dojo, hillside terraces with awesome wilderness views, private luxurious outdoor and indoor showers with epic views of the surrounding redwood forest, etc. The property is magical… you’re gonna love it here :)
Arrival dinner followed by three chef-prepared meals per day (we use only the best ingredients and have tapped into some incredible cooking talent), plus a constant spread of fresh-baked homemade pastries and snacks, and unlimited coconut waters, juices, sodas, coffees, teas, etc. We’ll keep you very well fed and comfortable! And for those who enjoy wine, Mendocino produces some of the world’s best Pinot Noir!
Twice daily training sessions (Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday) led by Vlad Koulikov. We cap our registration at 16, so you can expect some deep learning and hands-on coaching. The learning environment is extremely personal, and infinitely better than that of a packed seminar or large training camp.
Aside from the costs of lodging, fresh gourmet meals, and bringing in world-class instructors who give their best — look forward to us organizing a couple amazing hikes throughout the week, and expect some heartfelt connection and storytelling around the bonfire after our nightly dinners. Rest assured that our approach is easy and flexible to the needs of everyone who joins us. We fully put our hearts into every camp, and we’ve been blessed by so many new friends as a result.
Continue to the Booking Page to see available room options:
Epic Training Camp Location: the Rugged Mendocino Coast
The Mendocino coast, just 1-mile down the hill from the Grappler’s Retreat.
