Welcome to Refuge Jiu Jitsu Academy
Our mission
At Refuge Jiu Jitsu Academy we build athletes, strive to develop strong moral and ethical character in all our students and be a refuge to all in need. Our focus is to bring high level competitive jiu jitsu to our community and foster an environment that focuses on faith, family, integrity, love and service
Our Facility
Refuge Jiu Jitsu Academy offers a brand new training facility for those living in the Cameron Park and surrounding areas. The gym was built a the end of 2023 with the grand opening in January 2024. The facility offers spacious 1600 square feet of mat space for training, drilling and rolling. The facility also has changing rooms, water bottle fill station and restroom. We are also planning to expand further into the building next door in the summer of 2024, growing our mat space to around 2500 square feet.
Our Instructors
JEREMIAH
Owner/Lead Instructor
Jeremiah has been training Jiu Jitsu for fifteen years and received his black belt in 2020. He started his professional career as a U.S Coast Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue Swimmer before transitioning into Air Force Special Operations as a Pararescuemen. As a pararescuemen, Jeremiah completed multiple tours to Afghanistan, Iraq and throughout Africa focusing on personnel recovery operations. Having years of experience in real life related situations Jeremiah’s focus is now on service. His desire is to train and equip men, women and children for real life related events and bring high level competitive jiu jitsu to his community. He hopes students can become confident in all situations of life.
NICK
Instructor
Nick’s martial arts journey began at the early age of four, immersing him in the world of traditional disciplines. This early spark ignited a lifelong passion for martial arts, propelling him into the world of combat sports where he dedicated himself to learning and testing himself in competition. With a brown belt in Jiu-Jitsu as a testament to his commitment, Nick has ventured into various arenas, from kickboxing to Mixed Martial Arts, earning a noteworthy Amateur Muay Thai title along the way. Today, his central mission revolves around sharing his accumulated martial arts expertise as a knowledgeable and patient guide, inspiring the next generation of students.
JULIAN
Instructor
Julian has been training Jiu Jitsu and Judo for 15 years. Born and raised in Costa Rica, he started learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in a community of Brazilians. He was awarded brown belt in 2016 by De la Riva Jiu Jitsu and since then, he has been teaching and coaching Jiu Jitsu. After receiving his black belt, Julian continues to train, coach and compete. Julian usually teaches early morning classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
DAVE
Instructor
Dave has spent the last 18 years working as a registered nurse and finds great joy in helping others. He found Jiu Jitsu after some years of training in Karate and then dedicated 8 years to learning and growing to earn his Brown Belt. The pandemic put Dave’s Jiu Jitsu on hold for 3 years, but Refuge has re-enabled Dave to start training again and also give back via teaching. Dave usually teaches Monday, Wednesday and Friday early morning classes.
JOEL
Instructor
Joel has been actively training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for 11 years. He received his black belt in 2023 from Professor Ron Keslar at the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) in San Jose, California. Prior to relocating with his family to the greater Sacramento area, Joel was an instructor at AKA teaching BJJ fundamentals. Joel usually teaches Monday, Wednesday and Friday noon classes.
OUR affiliation
Refuge Jiu Jitsu Academy is part of the Ares Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Association. Founded by Samir Chantre, Osvaldo “Queixinho”, Alan Moraes, and Milton Bastos, Ares BJJ is built on friendship and principles over business. With each founder holding multiple dan black belts and over 20 years of experience, they are dedicated to fostering a family-like community that embodies the true spirit of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. As an Ares Association member Refuge members will have access through seminars throughout the year to some of the best Jiu Jitsu instructors in the world as well as the ability to train at other Ares Jiu Jitsu Academy’s when travelling across the US or world.
OUR LOCATION
Located inside the Safeway shopping complex, right off Highway 50 Cameron Park Drive exit
Address
3342 Coach Lane, Cameron Park, CA 95682
3342 Coach Lane, Cameron Park, CA
Our hours
6:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Monday – Saturday
Sunday 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Contact us
Phone: 1 530-464-5184
Email: info@refugejiujitsu.com
Phone: 1 530-464-5184