Bellingham BJJ

Bellingham BJJ is led by Jeff Shaw, a black belt under Seth Shamp with roots tracing back to the Royce Gracie lineage. Shaw brings a wealth of experience from his time as assistant instructor at Triangle Jiu Jitsu Academy in North Carolina and has competed extensively worldwide, including a unique accomplishment of completing all eight divisions of a US Grappling tournament in a single day. His teaching centers on solid, fundamental jiu-jitsu applicable both for self-defense and sport, in gi and no-gi settings. Alongside Shaw, the academy’s team includes several black belts such as Pat DePuydt, Jesse Johns, and Tony Ventrano, each contributing specialized knowledge and competition experience, while instructors like Rob Long and Mike Napoli focus on the kids’ program. The academy maintains a structured progression beginning with a required four-week introductory course for white belts before joining regular classes. Bellingham BJJ offers a mix of gi and no-gi training, including dedicated no-gi competition classes, marathon roll sessions that blend gi and no-gi, and a women’s and non-binary class. Wrestling and defensive striking classes are also part of the curriculum, reflecting an integrated approach to grappling and self-defense. Open mat sessions are available for additional practice, and drop-ins are welcome. Located downtown at 205 W Holly St, the facility is wheelchair accessible and supports a diverse student body through a range of programs for adults and kids. The academy emphasizes accessible training and community involvement, fostering skill development from fundamentals through advanced techniques. Bellingham BJJ balances competitive ambition with practical self-defense, guided by instructors who actively compete and contribute to the broader jiu-jitsu conversation through teaching, refereeing, and research.

Amenities