“Wise Grapplers” Training Camp: open to men and women ages 45+
October 14-18, 2025: with Brent Burniston
All belt levels welcome — we get white belts through black belts signing up
(white belts should have minimum 6+ months formal academy training before joining a camp at Grappler’s Retreat)
Ages 45+ only: while all our camps at Grappler’s Retreat have a super mellow vibe and are for adults of all ages, we decided to host a camp specifically for “wise grapplers”.
Mat time will be focused on deep learning. Live rolling will of course be optional, but expect most of our time in the dojo devoted to conceptual deep dives and technical coaching.
Look forward to a room full of like-minded “wise grapplers” (who may not want to roll 8 rounds after class!) — but who will eagerly stay on the mats discussing the nuances of the day’s lessons…
Brent Burniston teaching at the retreat, summer 2021.
Brent Burniston — 4th Degree Black Belt
Brent is perhaps the best Gi instructor we’ve ever hosted at the Grappler’s Retreat — he works closely with everyone, and he loves going deep into technical theories and concepts that pave the path toward perfect Jiu Jitsu.
He is an elite grappler who received his Black Belt from the legendary Jean Jeaques Machado many years ago. Today, he continues his Jiu Jitsu journey under the guidance of Roger Gracie, who personally awarded Brent with the 4th degree on his Black Belt. The promotion took place at the Grappler’s Retreat in April 2024, while both were visiting and teaching during one of our retreats.
This will be Brent’s seventh visit to the Grappler’s Retreat. His Jiu Jitsu is absolutely phenomenal — he holds nothing back and loves helping those that come to learn from him… and that’s why we keep inviting him back.
Brent Burniston teaching at Grappler’s Retreat during one of his earlier visits.
The perfect training-vacation, led by the best Jiu Jitsu instructors of our time.
Private Rooms, Gourmet Meals, and an absolutely Epic Location!
Brent Burniston (far left) visiting the retreat with some friends, summer 2020.
With Brent 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.
Click the Video below to hear Roger Gracie’s thoughts on the Grappler’s Retreat experience.
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 Brent Burniston (all sessions will be instructed in the 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.
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.
Brent Burniston coaching at the retreat, October 2023.
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.
Sunrise over the retreat, April 2023.
Brent Burniston
Meet the Instructor:
Brent Burniston received his Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from the legendary BJJ icon Jean Jacques Machado. As one of Machado’s top black belts and instructors, Brent was often called upon to teach classes at his prestigious academy in Los Angeles, and was specifically selected to assist in world-renown seminars alongside Jean Jacques.
With a host of other Black Belts now under his wing, Brent established SubConscious Jiu Jitsu Academy in North Hollywood, where he continues to innovate his art and coaches a new generation of practitioners. His teaching style is known in the elite circles of martial arts for his innovation, detailed instruction, and endless encyclopedia of techniques.
Earlier in his career, when Brent wasn’t on the mat, you may have found him traveling abroad protecting some of the world’s most famous and influential people. Since 2001, Brent has been a leader in the field of Executive Protection, working as both a contractor and with Gavin de Becker & Associates, the foremost US Executive Protection firm. With almost 20 years of experience, Brent has led multi-man protective details spanning the globe, including such places as the Middle East, Asia, Europe, Central/South America, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.
We’ve been fortunate to have Brent visit the Grappler’s Retreat several times over the years, most recently in October 2023. After seeing his incredible teaching ability and the strong connection he immediately develops with everyone he coaches, we knew we couldn’t pass on the opportunity to continue learning from this legend!
Brent Burniston (right) co-teaching with the legendary Stuart Cooper! (October 2023)
Gourmet Dining - this isn’t just a Training Camp, it’s a proper Vacation
Schedule (October 14-18, 2025):
Arrive October 14 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 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 October 18 by 12pm 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
from $2,000 all inclusive with on-site bedroom at the retreat (spouses sharing a room are welcome to register at a significantly discounted price for the second person).
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 Brent Burniston. 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.
Brent co-teaching some No-Gi with the legendary “Budo Jake”, summer 2021.
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.
