Deep Water Jiu Jitsu

Deep Water Jiu Jitsu in McHenry, Illinois, is shaped by the experience and leadership of Coach Liz Maxwell and Coach Rob Mesce, both black belts under Scott Devine. Coach Liz earned her black belt in 2022 and brings a strong background in gi Jiu Jitsu, with years of training under Clifton Buckles and Jeff Curran. She is known for her technical approach to using the gi for control and submissions, and is dedicated to helping women and girls build confidence and practical self-defense skills. Coach Rob adds over two decades of martial arts experience, including a 5th degree black belt in American Freestyle Martial Arts and a competitive background in submission grappling, karate, and MMA. His teaching draws on a wide martial arts foundation, with a focus on making learning engaging and effective. Classes at Deep Water are structured for different age groups and skill levels, starting with a Tots class for children ages 3½ to 6, which focuses on basic movement and fun grappling drills without submissions. The academy rotates between gi and no-gi training on alternating weeks, giving students exposure to both formats. Kids, beginners, mixed level, and competition classes are all part of the regular schedule, with Coach Liz teaching on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and Coach Rob leading sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays. Assistant coaches, including purple belts with backgrounds in wrestling and youth sports coaching, support the programs and run additional seminars and classes. The gym is women-led and emphasizes a training environment built on mutual respect, hard work, and camaraderie. With a curriculum designed to be approachable for beginners while still offering technical depth, Deep Water Jiu Jitsu welcomes families and individuals looking for practical martial arts instruction in McHenry. The facility is wheelchair accessible, and visitors are encouraged to stop by, watch a class, or book a trial session to get a sense of the academy’s approach.

Amenities