Help out a newb-please...

[united]

I am looking for a gym in the Surrey/Langley area. Want to learn some ground fighting/self defence and maybe something else???. So where should I go for this?? Thanks in advance for any help.

[migo]

Andy Suitela's is probably your best bet. Revolution is also in the area, but all their top fighters started out at other places, so they haven't been proven for beginners yet. Suitela has trained 2 fighters from the ground up who are top fighters locally (Len Tam and Myles Merola). Tim Shears does teach BJJ at Revolution a couple times a week, so that wouldn't be a bad choice, but I'm not sure about the rest of the instructors. It could go very well, or you might find yourself somewhat left behind as it's geared for more experienced fighters. Suitela has a few pro fighters, but doesn't have that as a main focus.

I've trained at neither, but have talked to a couple guys who have trained at both. Suitela's doesn't quite cut it for top level pros (Len Tam left to Universal because he needed higher level training partners, and that's over an hour trip for him, while Revolution is local for him, you can make inferences about why he made that choice, but it's worth pointing out as Len did have some sort of reason for chosing Universal over Revolution.)

[aseepish]

Here's what my internet search told me [I assume you're asking about Surrey/Langley BC]
I have no idea if the phone numbers/addresses are current - you'll have do do your own leg work.

Tim Shears and Marcus Soares are both top instructors, but I don't know how often they teach classes out there.

Suitela - BJJ Sub grappling MMA Judo Grappling
Instructor: Tim Shears
Instructor's teachers: Mike Lee, Shane Ricci
#20 - 12468 82nd Ave , Surrey, Canada, V3W3E9
Ph: (604) 596-3951
Url: Suitela.com

Revolution Martial Arts - BJJ Sub grappling MMA
Instructor: Tim Thurston
#108-10425 173rd street, surrey, Canada, V4N 5H3
Ph: 604-583-5405

Langley Martial Arts Centre - BJJ
Instructor: Marcus Soares
Instructor's teachers:
#109 - 20530 Langley Bypass, Langley, Canada, V3A 6K8
Ph: 604-532-9313
Training on Tuesdays & Thursdays 7:00-9:00pm


See? The internet is a wonderful tool.

[migo]

I don't think that's current. Soares, last I heard, teaches at Columbia martial arts which is on the border of Burnaby and New West. Tim Thurston isn't the only instructor at Revolution, Tim Shears teaches there as well. I do see from Suitela's website that they have a lot more fighters than I thought, I'm not sure if all of them are pro though and I'm not about to run each one through the FCFighter database.

[united]

I did use the 'internet' that's how I found this forum!
:P
Looking just to keep my skills fresh for my job, not looking to fight or compete. I will do some calling around.

Thank you so much for the reply's so far, keep em comming!

Cheers!

[united]

Hey thanks guys...I found Marcus.

[aseepish]

Mr. Soares is the highest-ranked BJJ instructor in Canada - enjoy your training!