Congratulations Sheila!!

Sheila Bird just took Gold in Beijing, China at the World Combat Games, in Fila Grappling! All of us are just pumped. We don't need autographs, we get to roll with her! (but we still WANT the autographs). Congratulations to Sheila and Brian Bird. Safe trip home guys! See you soon.

Belt Testing

BDB held a belt testing on Sunday, July 11 at their gym in Calgary. Chad Roberts and I went up on Sunday morning (fueled by cafeine and pre-test jitters) and watched the students testing for their blue belts. That brought up some wonderful memories, but didn't really calm me down much.

Chad was there to give me support and to be one of the nine fighters that were present to burn down the three of us going for our purples. They did their jobs well!

After the test, Brian gave us all a detailed and helpful critique on what we did well, and what we didn't do so well. Following that, it was tasty vittles with our ever-increasing circle of friends in Calgary, and a long trip home.

The test was a great reminder of just how much knowledge, effort and heart goes into every belt in this organization. A belt under Brian Bird is no small thing. Thank you for passing this knowledge onto us.

Congratulations to everyone who tested! And thanks to all those who helped.

BDB's BJJ CAMP

The BJJ Camp at BDB was an unqualified success. Very difficult to download that much detailed information in one weekend. But copious notes were taken, and we are already working on our favorite moves. Three instructors, two days, and one very tired and sore body.
I managed to get in rolls with Sheila Bird, Roy Dean and Roy Harris, but the Boss and Rich Martens ducked me. I sensed fear, but didn't want to embarrass them.
I also chatted momentarily with our boy in the UFC, Nick Ring, always pleasant.
All of the instructors were good enough to let the four of us from Cranbrook tag along for lunch on Saturday and pick their brains. We never give them a break.
My only regret is that we couldn't stay for the party Saturday night. Maybe next time.
Thanks again, Brian and Sheila. As always it was a fantastic time.

2010 FILA Grappling World Championships

Sheila Bird takes 3 gold medals home with her from Poland...and a trip to China for the World Combat Games! Not too bad. Kudos to John and Jaret from BDB as well. And Brian must be doing something right, because the quality of fighters that he turns out is downright impressive.

I sure wish we had him as our instructor. Oh, that's right......we do! Excellent performance everyone.

And Once Again, We've Moved

New month, new location! We are now at the Kennedy Hall, 1305 1st Street South. Times will stay the same, 7:00 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Lots of room to roll now, and no more drywall repairs! See you there!

Absolute Submission Challenge @ BDB

Congratualations! We had 3 competitors in BDB's submission challenge, Mike Seguin, Rob Beam and Chad Roberts, and we brought home 2 silvers! Mike and Rob both took 2nd place in their first BJJ competition. Everyones pumped and looking forward to the next opportunity to test themselves! Brian and Sheila hosted a great event that was well attended (71 fighters, I believe) and with all that they had to do, still managed to coach our guys when they could. Thank you for that.
After the fights, it was out for Vietnamese food and more good times. Looking forward to the next one!

New Blue Belts

Jan 9, and CBJJ has three new blue belts! Congratulations to Jeremy Kish, Don Nguyen and Chad Roberts. These men received belts today after demonstrating their knowledge of BJJ techniques in both static and dynamic situations. They rolled with each other and with Sheila Bird and then . . . . . . . yes, then they took the customary beating from our instructor, Brian Bird. Good determination and heart was shown and I was very impressed.

Congratulations. And thank you for working so hard to be the first blue belts under the CBJJ flag.