Whangarei Jiu jitsu - est 1985

🔥 DO SOMETHING NEW, WHANGĀREI! 🔥

Ever thought about trying Jiu-Jitsu? 🥋

Come along, get on the mats, learn something new, challenge yourself and become part of a great club and community.

💪 Build confidence
🧠 Learn real skills
🔥 Develop grit & resilience
🤝 Meet some awesome people
🥋 No experience necessary!

15 years or older? Come and give it a go!

👉 We don’t run kids classes, so our sessions are for 15+ only.

Your first step is simply showing up. Come and see what you’re capable of. 🥋🔥

What a night! 🥋🧡

Last night was a pretty special one for Damien, as he graded from his Yellow Belt to Orange Belt at Whangarei Jiu jitsu - est 1985

For those who know Damien, this grading was about so much more than simply earning another coloured belt. It was a recognition of the commitment, consistency, discipline and attitude he has shown every time he steps onto the mat.

Damien has been one of the most consistent young fellas at training. Week after week, he turns up, puts in the work, listens, learns, gets thrown around, gets tired — and then gets back up and goes again. That consistency is what makes achievements like this so meaningful.

And last night's grading certainly wasn't easy.

A grading in Japanese Jiu Jitsu demands a lot from you. It tests your technique, your fitness, your composure and your ability to perform when you're tired and under pressure. But perhaps most importantly, it tests what you're made of mentally.

You need confidence to step onto the mat and trust in the skills you've been developing.

You need tenacity to keep working when things aren't going your way.

You need grit to push through the moments when you're exhausted, uncomfortable or questioning whether you can keep going.

And you need the humility to understand that there is always more to learn.

The Sensei's on the grading panel acknowledged Damien's commitment and consistency when awarding him his Orange Belt and certificate, and hearing them describe his randori and ground fighting as "awesome" was a pretty proud moment. 🥋👏

But what we love most about our Japanese Jiu Jitsu martial art form, is that the lessons extend so far beyond the dojo.

For young people growing up today, these are incredibly valuable life skills.

Jiu Jitsu teaches you that you don't always have to be the biggest, strongest or most naturally talented person in the room to succeed. Technique, patience, discipline, persistence and the willingness to keep learning can take you a very long way.

It teaches you how to deal with adversity.

It teaches you how to lose — and get back up again.

It teaches you how to remain calm when you're under pressure.

It teaches you to respect others, regardless of their size, age, experience or ability.

It teaches you that progress doesn't happen overnight. You earn it one training session, one technique, one mistake and one small improvement at a time.

And perhaps one of the most important lessons for the younger generation is that onfidence doesn't come from always winning. Real confidence comes from knowing that even when things get difficult, you have the ability to keep going.

That's grit.

That's resilience.

That's self-belief.

And that's why I'm such a big believer in what our kids can learn from martial arts. In a world where so much can be instant, where discomfort can often be avoided and where resilience isn't always developed naturally, stepping onto a Jiu Jitsu mat teaches some pretty fundamental truths about life.

You will get knocked down.

You will get things wrong.

Sometimes someone will be better than you.

Sometimes you'll fail.

And that's okay.

Get up. Learn. Adapt. Try again.

Last night, Damien earned his Orange Belt, but I think he also demonstrated something far more important — the character and mindset that earned him the belt in the first place.

Massive congratulations, Damo. 🧡🥋

We're all incredibly proud of you.

A huge thank you to the Sensei's and coaches at Whangarei Jiu jitsu - est 1985 for the time, patience, guidance and belief you invest in these young people. What you're teaching them reaches well beyond the dojo and will stay with them for life.

Earned, not given.

And this is only the beginning. 💪🥋🧡

Winter has definitely made itself known this year.

Like many sports clubs, we've seen a quieter few months, with fewer people making it onto the mats. Cold mornings, dark evenings, school holidays, work commitments and the temptation to stay warm at home can all make it harder to keep a regular training routine going. That's completely understandable.

But here's the good news...

The shortest day of the year is now behind us. Every day from here, the sun stays out just a little longer. Spring isn't far away, and before we know it, we'll be enjoying those long, warm Northland evenings again.

Even better, School Term 3 started today, making it the perfect opportunity to reset routines and get back into healthy habits.

To every member who hasn't been able to train for a while, we'd love to see you back on the mats.

Don't feel like you need to jump straight back into training both nights of the week. If life is busy, start with just one class a week. One session is infinitely better than none. Once you're back in the routine, you'll be surprised how quickly the body remembers and how much you'll enjoy being back with your training partners.

Jiu Jitsu is one of the few activities that develops both the body and the mind at the same time.

Every class builds:
🥋 Functional strength without needing to lift heavy weights.
🥋 Cardiovascular fitness through dynamic movement.
🥋 Flexibility and mobility that keeps your body moving well.
🥋 Balance, coordination and body awareness.
🥋 Mental resilience by learning to stay calm under pressure.
🥋 Problem-solving skills as you work through techniques and live sparring.
🥋 Confidence that carries over into everyday life.

Unlike many sports, Jiu Jitsu is truly a lifelong pursuit. You're not relying solely on speed or athleticism. The techniques evolve with you, allowing people of all ages and fitness levels to continue learning and improving for decades. Every session teaches something new, and every training partner helps make you better.

The benefits don't stop when you leave the club either.

Regular training has been shown to help reduce stress, improve sleep quality, boost energy levels, sharpen focus at work and school, and contribute to better overall physical and mental wellbeing. In today's busy world, having a place where you can disconnect from screens, challenge yourself physically, and spend time with a supportive community is more valuable than ever.

One of the greatest things about our club has always been the people.

We celebrate each other's successes, help each other through challenges, and create an environment where everyone—from complete beginners to experienced competitors—can learn, improve and enjoy the journey together.

If you've been meaning to come back, this is your sign.

Dust off your gi. Pack your belt. Bring your water bottle.

Whether it's been a couple of weeks or a couple of months, nobody is keeping score. We'll simply be happy to see you back where you belong—on the mats.

Let's make Term 3 the start of a strong finish to the year.

We can't wait to welcome familiar faces back and see plenty of new ones joining us as we head towards the warmer months.

See you on the mats! 💙🥋

Send a message to learn more

Reading posts of harassment in and around town is both upsetting and, unfortunately, becoming far too common.

Being involved in the Whangarei Jiu Jitsu Club, we are seeing and hearing more stories of intimidation, bullying, group assaults, and young people feeling unsafe in places where they should be able to simply enjoy being themselves.

This type of behaviour is not acceptable. No young person should have to fear walking through town, and no parent should have to worry about whether their child will make it home safely after meeting friends.

While incidents like this often make headlines, the underlying issues are usually a lack of respect, accountability, self-discipline, confidence, and positive role models. These are qualities that traditional martial arts work hard to develop.

At Whangarei Jiu Jitsu Club, we teach traditional Japanese Jiu Jitsu. Yes, we teach practical self-defence, but more importantly we teach confidence, awareness, discipline, respect, conflict avoidance, and how to remain calm under pressure. Our goal is not to create fighters; it is to help create responsible, confident members of our community.

This is not intended as an advertisement. We are a not- for- profit club run by sensei's who genuinely care about helping people and making our community safer. If any parents have teenagers who could benefit from learning self-defence, building confidence, or simply being part of a positive environment, our doors are always open.

Due to the advanced nature of the techniques taught in our style, we generally accept students who are close to 15 years of age and older.

Nobody should have to feel hunted, threatened, or unsafe in our town. As a community, we can and must do better.

Last night was a proud moment at Whangarei Jiu Jitsu Club as our very own Ian graded to Brown Belt in our traditional Nihon Goshin style of Jiu Jitsu. 👏🥋

A Brown Belt is not simply awarded for turning up — it represents years of dedication, discipline, perseverance, resilience, and continuous learning. Numerous hours on the mat, pushing through challenges, supporting training partners, refining technique, and developing both physical strength and mental toughness have all led to this achievement.

Ian’s journey reflects what traditional Japanese Jiu Jitsu is truly about. It is not just self-defence — it is personal growth. Through consistent training, students develop confidence, fitness, awareness, respect, self-control, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. Our style teaches practical self-defence while also building character, leadership, and resilience that carry through into everyday life.

One of the greatest things about Nihon Goshin Jiu Jitsu is that it is for everyday people. You do not need to be an athlete to start. People of all backgrounds and experience levels can benefit from training, whether their goal is self-defence, fitness, confidence, discipline, stress relief, or simply being part of a supportive community.

Achievements like this do not happen alone. They are built with the support of instructors, training partners, friends, and whānau who all contribute to the journey along the way.

Congratulations to Ian on a well deserved promotion to Brown Belt.
A huge thank you to the grading panel, the uke's for Ian's grading and as always, our sensei's that always turn up to look after the students!
Osu! 👊🥋