Wanaka Martial Arts Training | Wanaka Martial Arts

about us

our history

the start & future of wanaka martial arts

Wānaka Martial Arts is the culmination of a long partnership and friendships between local practitioners in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Carlson Gracie Wānaka was first established by Carlson Gracie Black Belt Alexandre Rosa Pereira. A close-knit group of friends would train in Brazilian Jiu-Jutsu and also in Muay Thai with Ajarn Brett Harrold, sharing facilities and their passion for martial arts. Brett moved away from the area for a few years and for an intervening period Alex continued to teach Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to adults as Carlson Gracie Wānaka. Alex formed Wānaka Martial Arts in 2018 upon the establishment of our kids programme, and when he moved in 2019, his good friend and fellow Carlson Gracie Black Belt Jose Gomes stepped in as the head Brazilian Jiu-Jutsu instructor. When Ajarn Brett Harrold returned to Wānaka, Wānaka Martial Arts once again became a home for both BJJ and Muay Thai with a strong commitment to quality training and a passion and respect for the tradition of their martial arts practices.

our core values

respect

A cornerstone of martial arts is teaching and learning respect for yourself and those around you. This may be demonstrated by bowing to opponents and coaches/instructors, but also in our lives by treating others with decency and kindness.

Self Discipline

The physical and mental discipline required to learn martial arts helps build confidence in oneself.

Community

Wanaka Martial Arts is a supportive inclusive environment where we function as a team.

Flexible class schedules to suit your lifestyle. Join a community of positive, fun, and caring individuals all working towards a similar goal

our program and affiliation

Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, traces its roots back to the legendary Carlson Gracie, a prominent figure in the world of martial arts. Born on August 13, 1933, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Carlson Gracie was the eldest son of Carlos Gracie Sr., one of the founders of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. From a young age, Carlson was immersed in the art of Jiu-Jitsu, learning from his father and uncles. In the 1950s and 1960s, Carlson Gracie began to develop his own unique style of BJJ, which emphasized the effectiveness of ground fighting and submissions. He quickly gained fame as a skilled practitioner and an esteemed instructor. In 1972, Carlson opened his own academy, where he honed the skills of numerous students who went on to achieve success in both local and international BJJ competitions. The Carlson Gracie lineage has produced a legacy of world-class fighters, and to this day, his contributions and teachings continue to play a vital role in the evolution and global popularity of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

In 1990, Brett Harrold made the move to the United Kingdom to experience what the other side of the world had to offer.

One thing led to another and he ended up training at Sitnarong Muay Thai with Sandy Holt and travelling to train with (then) Master Sken. He established himself as one of the premiere fighters in Great Britain, topping off his career by winning the British Light Heavyweight title.

Along the way he also captured the English National L.H., English Northwest Area L.H., Scottish Northeast Area open Kickboxing and East Scotland Heavyweight Kickboxing titles.

1997 saw Brett return to New Zealand, ending up in Christchurch where his teaching career really got moving. Brett now also teaches regularly at our classes in Wanaka.

brazilian jiu-jitsu programs

Fundamentals Course

Our Fundamentals Course offers an introduction to Jiu Jitsu. Classes run twice a week for a 6 week period and focus on basic techniques for those with no experience in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or who want to refine their knowledge of fundamental movements and concepts. During the course we teach self-defence skills and movements. Everyone is welcome – the course is suitable for adults of all ages and fitness.

Adult Gi

Our Adult Gi classes suit adults of any skill level. Whether you are just beginning the sport, have completed the Fundamentals Course or are looking to take your skill to the next level, our classes help develop your skills and Jiu Jitsu techniques.

Our classes focus on breaking down the movements and more in-depth exploration of advanced techniques and movements for those who already have the basics in place.

Adult No Gi

The Adult No Gi Classes consist of multiple variations of techniques more specific to submission grappling. “No-Gi” grappling is done without the gi – the traditional uniform. Our classes include warming up, technical instruction, and rolling and sparring. Whether you are just beginning the sport or are looking to take your skill to the next level, our classes help develop your skills and No Gi grappling techniques.

BJJ KIDS

We run a popular BJJ kids programme during school terms. Our programme started in 2018 with just 6 kids of all ages and three classes per week. It has grown to ten classes per week covering three age groups starting at 6 years of age through to teens. We believe strongly in the benefits of BJJ for self-confidence, teaching respect and anti-bullying.

muay thai boxing programs

MUAY THAI

Our Muay Thai classes encompass not only physical fitness and self-defense skills but also the enhancement of self-esteem, confidence, and the opportunity to forge new connections and relationships. As you embark on the journey to cultivate exceptional striking abilities, age, proficiency, or fitness level pose no barriers, as our proficient instructors ensure each session is conducted within a secure and enjoyable environment.

Moreover, for those aspiring to test themselves in the competitive arena, we provide elite level Fighter Training through the Sitnarong Fight Team.

This collective of diligent, dedicated, and disciplined individuals consistently strives for personal growth and attainment both inside and outside the ring.

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

Having a strong base in both Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai, the cornerstones of modern MMA, these sessions offer the possibility of further improvement in both striking and grappling skills. The MMA classes are well balanced and tailored to the needs of practitioners who are partaking in these sessions.

Regardless if you are a grappler who wants to improve their striking skills or a striker who wants to improve their grappling skills, or an aspiring or established MMA fighter our classes will offer you the challenge and skill level needed to improve in this popular and complex Martial Art.

meet our team

Muay thai boxing instructors

AJARN BRETT

Ajarn (Master) Brett trained directly under Sandy Holt and Grand Master Sken when living in the UK and himself was the British Light heavy weight champion and held several other titles. Head Instructor for MSA Sitnarong Muay Thai Australasia and MSA Sitnarong New Zealand, Brett is the coach of the MSA Sitnarong fight team and takes fighters by appointment only. Recently he was awarded his Masters (Ajarn) certification directly by Grand Master Sken after 30 plus years of loyal service. He ensures the training for the general students and fighters is of a very high standard and his fight training classes are intense. But the results speak for themselves with fighters from the club winning National TBA, National WKBF, National full contact Kyukoshin, South Island WKA and South Island WMC tiles. Ajarn Brett is available for private sessions, please enquire if you think they might be for you.

BRAD

Brad is a professional & award winning snow sports Olympic coach with multiple Olympic and X Games medalist athletes. Brad has a long time passion for martial arts with boxing experience and now 2-3 years training under Ajarn Brett Harrold in Sitnarong Muay Thai.

His classes are dynamic and energetic with a technical focus and intensity reflective of the teaching of Ajarn Brett. Brad is also available for private sessions.

BARNA

Barna started Muay Thai under the tutelage of Ajarn Brett, and loves to train and improve in this complex and highly effective martial art. Barna likes simple and efficient Thai combinations and his classes are focused on high volume, strength, cardio and conditioning training challenging the mind and body in order to improve each training session.

BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU INSTRUCTORS

JOSE

Jose was born and raised in Curitiba, Brazil where he started his Jiu Jitsu journey in 1996 under Rodrigo Zanon. In 2005, Jose decided to move to New Zealand where he finally settled in Queenstown. There he started to build and attract people to the sport of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He opened Fight Science in 2010 building more and more interest in BJJ which was new to New Zealand. In 2012 Jose received his black belt under Carlson Gracie Curitiba. It was at that time when Alexandre Penao asked if he wanted to represent Carlson Gracie New Zealand. In 2014, Jose opened its doors to Carlson Gracie New Zealand Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy in Queenstown, where the club grew from 15 people to over 200 members. The success has allowed Jose to open affiliate academies including Carlson Gracie Wānaka, Carlson Gracie Invercargill and most recently in 2020, Carlson Gracie South Canterbury.

We have a broad team of coaches that cover our kids and adult classes. Brown belt Rich Jeans primarily coaches our no gi classes while brown belt Barna Szocs can be found across the realm, teaching no gi, gi, and MMA/Muay Thai classes. Both are seasoned competitors and enjoy the challenge of competition.

Purple belt Luke McCarthy is a passionate jiu jitsu practitioner and primary coach for our fundamentals classes but can often be found helping in the kids programme or regular classes. If he isn’t coaching, then he will be training! In addition to Professor Jose, our kids programmes are taught by brown belt Delwyn Moller, and blue belts Lena and Baxter Pollard. Lena and Baxter started their jiu jitsu journey at just 4 years of age and were orange belts before transitioning into the adult belt system as blue belts. Both have competed throughout their years of training in the US and more recently in New Zealand.