The perfect training-vacation, led by the best Jiu Jitsu instructors of our time.
Private Rooms, Gourmet Meals, and an absolutely Epic Location!
No-Gi training camp with Vagner Rocha: September 2-7, 2024
Vagner Rocha, along with his son Achilles and his wife Fafa, visited us for an epic training camp in June 2022.
This will be our 4th time hosting Vagner! He’s phenomenal: he loves Jiu Jitsu deeply, he’s super friendly with everyone, and he just brings such a good energy to the retreat. He’s one of the most dominant grapplers of the modern Jiu Jitsu era, and his instruction is off the hook.
He holds nothing back and loves helping those that come to learn from him… and that’s why we keep inviting him back.
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).
With Vagner and the Grappler’s Retreat crew, there will be a little over 20 of us. This isn’t a huge training camp. Look forward to a relaxed vibe and a world-class BJJ training experience.
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.
Training will be No-Gi only for the Vagner Rocha camp.
Click the Video below for a glimpse of what it’s like to spend a week at the Grappler’s 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 Vagner Rocha (all sessions will be No-Gi only). 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.
And we’ll be treated to three gourmet chef-prepared meals each day. Get ready for an incredible experience.
Scroll to bottom of the page for detailed schedule, travel logistics, and pricing.
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.
Vagner Rocha teaching at the Grappler’s Retreat, summer 2023.
Training will be No-Gi. Open to all belts (we get white belts through black belts). This is a relaxed retreat experience — older grapplers are most welcome.
Group shot from the August 2023 Training Camp with Vagner Rocha.
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.
Vagner Rocha
The Grappler’s Retreat crew first became a fan of Vagner back in 2017, when we traveled to Los Angeles to watch the EBI invitational. At the time, the now world-famous tournament was hosted at a small, intimate venue, where we were able to get a close view of the style and spirit of each of the athletes. Vagner’s approach was incredibly unique and eye-opening, and we instantly became fans as we watched him dismantle some of the word’s best young grapplers.
When we spoke with him in early 2021, we were beyond stoked to hear that he loved the idea of taking a break from his busy competition career to join us for a week of teaching and connecting at the Grappler’s Retreat. And so we first hosted Vagner in June 2022, along with his phenom son Achilles and his awesome wife, Fafa. They were some of the coolest, most genuine people we’ve ever had the pleasure to spend a week with.
We’re obviously huge fans of the man… and in September 2022 we watched Vagner grapple with some of the best young talent at the ADCC Championships in Las Vegas. Vagner showcased his incredible style, and defeated some of the best up-and-coming Jiu Jitsu practitioners of this new generation. At 40 years old, he took Bronze in what is considered to be the world’s most prestigious grappling event. The man is a legend.
While Vagner is an absolute monster in competition, he’s a deeply caring and methodical teacher who loves to see the positive impact that Jiu Jitsu has on all of his students, most of whom do not compete. His instruction at our retreat in June 2022 and 2023 was absolutely phenomenal.
In 2021, Vagner was ranked as the #1 Professional Grappler in the world in his weight division (185 lbs). He has made his mark in several championships, including: ADCC, Polaris, EBI, Fight 2 Win, KASAI Pro, and at the IBJJF No-Gi Worlds. His focus today is teaching his students, including his own son and daughter.
Vagner Rocha and Stuart Cooper getting in some hard rolls together. Watching this was epic!!
Gourmet Dining - this isn’t just a Training Camp, it’s a proper Vacation
Schedule (September 2 - 7, 2024):
Arrive September 2 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 Tuesday, 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 a trek to the waterfall (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 September 7 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
The rugged Mendocino coast, about a mile down the hill from the retreat.
Pricing
As low as $1,600 when staying offsite (includes gourmet meals every day, twice-daily small-group training sessions with Vagner, enjoyment of the retreat sanctuary’s amenities (hot tub, sauna, clubhouse, fire pit, 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 $2,300 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 (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday) led by Vagner Rocha. 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:
Small-Group Training Sessions: 16 spots
Small-group training (16 students max) ensures a learning environment like no other camp out there.
Epic Training Camp Location: the Rugged Mendocino Coast
The Mendocino coast, just 1-mile down the hill from the Grappler’s Retreat.
Nestled in the woods only a mile from the coast, the Grappler’s Retreat training sanctuary is incredible, and features a beautiful outdoor cedar sauna and a massive luxury hot tub—both sitting among towering redwoods with epic views of the surrounding wilderness.
With our newly built Dojo, clubhouse, and guest cottage, the sprawling forested compound offers modern luxury combined with raw Pacific Northwest wilderness. If you’re looking to get away from the city and experience nature, you’ll love it here… the setting is absolutely awesome!
About a mile walk from The Retreat, you find yourself in the historic village of Mendocino, built in the mid-1800s on a rugged coastal headland overlooking the Pacific. The cliffs surrounding the village remain undeveloped, covered in wildflowers, and offer an awesome vista from which to view the sunset.
Today, this historically preserved village is a traveler’s outpost, scattered with unique restaurants and cafes, vibrant coffee shops, pubs and roadhouse taverns, and a very well-stocked local grocer and butcher. Mendocino offers everything you’ll need to ensure a comfortable experience on this remote stretch of the northern California coast.
Vagner with his wife, Fafa during their summer 2023 visit to the retreat.
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.
