Grapplers Retreat is a training camp that is located in the Mendocino Coast in Northern California. Unlike other camps, Grappler’s Retreat is a unique program that strives to bring the jiu-jitsu community together thus providing a memorable training experience for those in attendance. In this interview we talk with the head director of the program Alex Aftandilians has he tell us the details on what makes this camp special.

How did the grappler’s retreat program get started?

Alex: Grappler's Retreat started as a loose idea after I first visited the Mendocino coast, and became a reality after I met a small group of grapplers who had already been training here under the tutelage of Antonio Almeida, a Brazilian Top Team instructor. Antonio had moved to Mendocino from Brazil a few years before I made the move from Los Angeles. When I met Antonio and his group, I shared some of my ideas with him, and soon after we became partners is the establishment of Grappler's Retreat.  Read More >>

Looking to Grapple away from it all, well Grappler’s Retreat will be hosting Grappler’s Retreat (www.GrapplersRetreat.com) an Open Grappling Camp not affiliated with one family, team or style in June 2010.  With high powered instructors: Nic Gregoriades (Gracie Barra), Alex Aftandilians (Gokor’s Team Hayastan)  and Antonio Almeida (Brazilian Top Team) from Arraial d'Ajuda, Brazil.   Location, C.V. Starr Center, a brand new $13 million state-of-the-art facility located on the Mendocino coast.

When Alex first emailed us about the camp, it sounded interesting - but it looks like if you are interested in something beyond just a training camp - this may be for you.