Jiu Jitsu in Victoria BC | BJJ for Kids & Adults | Van Isle BJJ
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Try jiu jitsu.
Your first class is free.

A welcoming place to start and a place to keep growing. Real Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for kids, first timers, and experienced athletes in Greater Victoria.

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★★★★★260+ five-star Google reviewsfrom the Victoria community
7
Black Belt Coaches
43
Classes Every Week
260
★ Five-Star Reviews
5×
Voted Best in the City Award
For Beginners

New to BJJ? You’re in the right place.

Van Isle BJJ runs more dedicated beginner classes than any academy in Victoria — purpose-built for your first step on the mat. No experience needed. No fitness required.

✓ Most beginner classes in Victoria
✓ Zero experience required
✓ A coach and a partner to help
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Our Programs

Find Your Place on the MatsBJJ Programs in Victoria BC

BJJ programs for kids, beginners, and adults in Victoria BC — whether you’re age 4 or 65, brand new or competing at nationals, there’s a program built for you.

Kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Victoria BC — Ages 5–16

Ages 5–7 · 8–12 · Teens 12–16
Kids Jiu Jitsu

Build confidence, focus, and self-defense skills in age-specific classes, with up to 6–7 coaches on the mat.

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Beginner BJJ Classes in Victoria BC

No Experience Needed
Beginners BJJ

Start with the basics in Fundamentals Gi or No-Gi & Self-Defense. Structured classes, supportive partners, and no experience needed.

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Adult BJJ Classes in Victoria BC

All Skill Levels
All Levels BJJ

Build on your beginner foundation with Gi and No-Gi training. Develop technique and sparring skills at your own pace.

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Specialty Programs
Advanced BJJ class at Van Isle BJJ in Victoria BC

Advanced BJJ in Victoria BC — Upper Belts

Upper Belts · Gi & NoGi
Advanced BJJ

Sharpen your Gi and No-Gi game with advanced technique, open sparring, and competition prep. For 2 stripes or 70+ classes.

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Women’s Only BJJ class at Van Isle BJJ in Victoria BC

Women’s Only BJJ in Victoria BC

Women Only
Women’s Only BJJ

Learn and build confidence in a supportive, women-only class. Open to all fitness and experience levels.

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Judo training at Van Isle BJJ in Victoria BC

Judo in Victoria BC — All Levels

All Levels
Judo

Learn throws, takedowns, and grip control. Build a stronger standing game that complements your Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

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Class Schedule

Find a Time That Works for YouBJJ Class Schedule Victoria BC

43 classes every week — more times, more programs, and more beginner-friendly options than any other school in Victoria.

Monday
6:00 – 7:00 AM
All Levels NoGi
NoGi
12:00 – 1:00 PM
All Levels Gi
Gi
4:15 – 5:00 PM
Kids BJJ 8–12
Kids
5:30 – 6:45 PM
Fundamentals Gi
Beginner
6:00 – 7:30 PM
Gi JJ 2 Stripes+
Giintermediate +
6:45 – 8:00 PM
Beginners Judo
Judo
8:00 – 9:15 PM
All Levels Gi
Gi
Tuesday
6:00 – 7:00 AM
All Levels Gi
Gi
12:00 – 1:00 PM
All Levels NoGi
NoGi
3:45 – 4:30 PM
Kids BJJ 8–12
Kids
4:30 – 5:00 PM
Kids BJJ 5–7
Kids
5:30 – 6:45 PM
Beginners NoGi / Self Defense
Beginner
6:00 – 7:30 PM
NoGi JJ 2 Stripes+
NoGiintermediate +
6:45 – 8:00 PM
Women’s Only Gi
Women’s
Wednesday
6:00 – 7:00 AM
All Levels NoGi
NoGi
12:00 – 1:00 PM
All Levels Gi
Gi
4:15 – 5:00 PM
Kids BJJ 8–12
Kids
5:30 – 6:45 PM
Fundamentals Gi
Beginner
6:00 – 7:30 PM
Gi JJ 2 Stripes+
Giintermediate +
6:45 – 8:00 PM
Beginners Judo
Judo
8:00 – 9:15 PM
All Levels Gi
Gi
Thursday
6:00 – 7:00 AM
All Levels Gi
Gi
12:00 – 1:00 PM
All Levels NoGi
NoGi
4:30 – 5:00 PM
Kids BJJ 5–7
Kids
5:30 – 6:45 PM
Beginners NoGi / Self Defense
Beginner
6:00 – 7:30 PM
NoGi JJ 2 Stripes+
NoGiintermediate +
7:30 – 8:30 PM
Gi JJ 2 Stripes+
Giintermediate +
6:45 – 8:00 PM
Women’s Only Gi
Women’s
Friday
12:00 – 1:00 PM
Open Mat
Open Mat
4:30 – 5:00 PM
Kids BJJ 5–7
Kids
5:00 – 6:00 PM
Teens 11–17
Teens
5:30 – 6:45 PM
Fundamentals Gi
Beginner
6:00 – 7:15 PM
NoGi JJ 2 Stripes+
NoGiintermediate +
Saturday
9:00 – 9:30 AM
Kids BJJ 5–7
Kids
9:45 – 10:15 AM
Kids BJJ 5–7
Kids
10:30 – 11:15 AM
Kids BJJ 8–12
Kids
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM
Kids BJJ 8–12
Kids
12:30 – 1:45 PM
Fundamentals Gi
Beginner
12:30 – 2:00 PM
Gi JJ 1 Stripe+
Giintermediate +
1:45 – 3:00 PM
Beginners Judo
Judo
Sunday
10:00 – 11:00 AM
Advanced Kids By Invite
Adv. Kids
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Open Drilling
Drilling
12:00 – 1:30 PM
Open Rolling
Open Mat
Gi — Traditional BJJ uniform (jacket & pants). We’ll lend you one for your trial.
NoGi — Athletic wear only — shorts, rashguard or t-shirt.

Open class requirement: 1 stripe or 30+ classes • Advanced: 2 stripes and up, 70+ classes • Schedule subject to change.

Beginner Jiu Jitsu Classes in Victoria BC

Your First Visit.

No experience needed. No need to be in shape. No feeling out of place. Your first visit is built for total beginners — we’ll walk you through every step from the moment you arrive.

1

Arrive 20–25 Minutes Early

Show up a little early so we have time to greet you, get the paperwork out of the way, and give you a quick tour of the academy before class starts.

2

Waiver, Tour & Clean Uniform

We’ll walk you through a quick waiver, show you around the facility, and lend you a clean uniform if it’s a Gi class. T-shirt and shorts work great for No-Gi.

3

Meet Your Instructor & Training Partner

Your coach will introduce themselves and pair you with a friendly, helpful student who will stay with you the whole class so you’re never on your own.

4

Warm-Up, Technique & Drilling

We start with a light warm-up (or sometimes go straight into technique), then drill the move of the day with your cooperative partner while the coach personally comes around to help you.

5

Positional Sparring — Cooperative, Not Competitive

Class ends with a positional sparring game limited to the moves of the day. It’s cooperative and beginner-friendly — designed to help you learn, not to throw you in the deep end.

Beginner Brazilian Jiu Jitsu students training at Van Isle BJJ in Victoria BC
What Our Members Say

A Community That Has Your BackReviews from Victoria BJJ Students

260+ five-star Google reviews. Here’s what our Victoria community says.

From Google Reviews
★★★★★

“I was well into my 50’s when I decided to start BJJ. From day one, I was warmly welcomed at Van Isle, made to feel like I was part of something. If you’re wondering if this is for you: try it. You’ll never regret it.”

Stu Robertson — Blue Belt
From Google Reviews
★★★★★

“I gained more skills in my first six months at Van Isle than in two years of practice at other teams. Van Isle has the best coaches in BC — detail oriented, fantastic for any level. They made me feel like I was home.”

Rafa Canon — Blue Belt
From Google Reviews
★★★★★

“The staff is amazing, and always very patient with my neuro-diverse boys. My kids have become more confident and disciplined. It is more than just a gym — it’s a place of community. You won’t regret signing up.”

Allie Rhindress — Van Isle Parent
From Google Reviews
★★★★★

“The quality of instruction and professionalism here are top-tier. The hygiene is a major standout — the facility is consistently kept in pristine condition. A professional, clean, and welcoming environment for anyone looking to train.”

Steven Santos — White Belt
From Google Reviews
★★★★★

“Van Isle BJJ offers great classes for kids to build confidence and coordination. We always feel comfortable with all the instructors, who clearly love what they do. Fully recommended for all kids!”

Nicolas Bruzzone — Van Isle Parent
From Google Reviews
★★★★★

“Van Isle has an amazing culture. The techniques the coaches teach always give me an ‘A-ha’ moment and the facilities are awesome. It’s a community, not just a gym.”

Andrew Le — Purple Belt
See All 260+ Five‑Star Google Reviews ↗
The Facility

Not Just a Gym.
One of Canada’s Finest BJJ Facilities.

Van Isle BJJ was built from the ground up as something entirely unique. A boutique, one of a kind facility that is immaculately maintained, thoughtfully equipped, and unlike anything else in this country.

6,500
Square Feet
2
Mat Spaces
5
Spa-Inspired Showers
2
Private Weight Rooms
Ditch your gym membership when you join Van Isle BJJ.
2 private weight rooms — ditch your gym membership
Cedar wet sauna — post-training recovery
Towel service available as an add-on
5 Scandinavian spa-inspired showers

Victoria’s largest dedicated BJJ facility — 941 Ellery Street, Esquimalt

Family Owned & Operated

Two Brothers.
One Academy.
One Mission.

A family-run academy built around real jiu jitsu, shared progress, and people who care.

Brothers Jean-Marc and Matt de Groot, founders of Van Isle Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Jean-Marc & Matt de Groot · Founders of Van Isle BJJ

Brothers Matt and JM founded Van Isle BJJ with a shared mission: bring world-class jiu jitsu to Victoria and build a community worth training in. A place where people are known, supported, and challenged to grow.

With over 35 years of combined experience, they bring lessons from elite training rooms and international competition onto the mats here — helping a nervous beginner take their first step and an experienced athlete find their next challenge.

The founders still teach here. They still coach side by side, take pride in knowing their students, and set the tone for an academy built on authentic technique, personal attention, and respect.

Our MissionBuild real skill. Grow lasting confidence. Find your people.
Coaching Staff

Meet Matt & JM.

Together, Matt and JM bring over 35 years of Jiu Jitsu experience. Matt is an IBJJF Masters World and Pan American champion, and JM is a Masters Worlds black belt silver medalist.

Prof. Jean-Marc (JM) de Groot, head BJJ coach at Van Isle Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Victoria BC
Prof. Jean-Marc (JM) de Groot
Co-Founder & Head Coach · Black Belt 1st Degree

19 years of Jiu Jitsu. Black belt under Filip Matos & Bibiano Fernandes. Five-time IBJJF Worlds competitor. 2nd place Masters 1 Black Belt — IBJJF Worlds 2022, losing only to João Miyao. Trained at ATOS (San Diego), Cobrinha’s (LA), and Lovato’s (OKC).

Black Belt 1st Degree IBJJF 2022 Finalist 19 Yrs Experience 5× IBJJF Worlds
Prof. Matt de Groot, BJJ black belt coach at Van Isle Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Victoria BC
Prof. Matt de Groot
Co-Founder & Head Instructor · Black Belt

Co-founder of Van Isle BJJ. Matt has spent over a decade helping hundreds of Victoria students build real skill, real confidence, and lasting community on the mats. His teaching is patient, precise, and deeply encouraging — a coach who meets every student exactly where they are.

Black Belt Co-Founder 18 Yrs Experience Head of Adult Programs
Common Questions

Got Questions?
We’ve Got Answers.

Get Started

Book Your Free Trial Class.

No commitment. No pressure. Just come in, try it out, and see why Van Isle BJJ has been Victoria’s most trusted BJJ school. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

VanIsleBJJ@gmail.com
(250) 813-2295 — Joe — best to email
941 Ellery Street, Esquimalt, Victoria BC
Facebook @vanislebjj

We’ll get back to you soon. No spam, ever.

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Thanks — we’ll be in touch soon to schedule your free trial class. See you on the mats.

If you’re searching for BJJ or martial arts classes near you in Victoria BC, we’re conveniently located at 941 Ellery Street — minutes from Downtown Victoria, Saanich, Oak Bay, Fairfield, and James Bay. Proudly serving Victoria, Esquimalt, Saanich, Oak Bay, Fairfield, James Bay, Fernwood, View Royal, Colwood, and all of Greater Victoria.