So my friend, who just relocated from Hawaii to Seattle. She's looking for a Judo gym that isn't too far out of the downtown area. Google searches revealed a few locations. Neither looking very promising as she was warned by a good friend of hers who studies Judo back home in Hawaii. The links below are both USJF associated. While neither of us know about USJF, her friend was very adament about her avoiding that collective.

http://www.budokanjudoseattle.com/Welcome.html

http://www.seattledojo.org/


One place that sprung up was Aaron Fields jujutsu, http://seattle-jujutsu.org/ which from what I've heard is a good place to train. It is also nice that Ivan Salaverrys gym is right down the street from where we live, http://www.ivansalaverry.net/. However that may be a bit intense for her physically and her wallet.

So anybody live locally that does Judo or knows enough about the local Judo scene to make any recommendations? ... SFGOON, I'm kinda looking in your direction here. I know you don't do Judo, but your in the area at least.

Ryno is a good person to ask about this too.

My MMA/Judo instructor knows a lot about the Seattle Judo scene (he trained for the US Olympic team) and he told me that the best Judo club in Seattle is actually at the YMCA. I'm not sure which one though. If she's looking for Judo, don't go to Ivan's. His place is great for MMA, but they just do wrestling, no-gi. For BJJ in seattle, I would recommend Marcelo Alzonzo's or Gracie Barra.

If you want to PM her phone number and some pics I think I could help her better.

Aaron Fields is pretty awesome, and he's in the U-district.

Highly recommend Aaron!

I trained for 3 weeks at Aaron's place when I was out in Seattle for some job training, and then trained off and on for a couple months with one of their back belts here in Spokane. I STILL MISS TRAINING WITH THOSE GUYS! And I have a pretty decent club now with good people, too. But, I have to say that for a combination of atmosphere, likable people and skilled, quality instruction, I have never trained at a better place than http://seattle-jujutsu.org/.

If any of y'all are reading, 'specially Aaron or Vince, I hope all is well. I'm still training at Spokane Judo and getting ready for my first comp in March. I still keep hoping I'll get sent back out west for more training or a conference or something so I can swing by and train with you again!

thanks for the replies guys. I've heard a lot of good things about Aaron and have been meaning to drop in on a class for awhile... so this is a good excuse. As for the Judo at the YMCA, I'm sure I can snoop around and find out where that is.

Where do you live in WA Razamataz?

Thanks for the kind words folks.

Dinosaur AMP (or anyone else for that matter,) feel free to contact me directly (I sent you a direct E-mail with my contact info,) I am happy to answer any questions about what and how we practice.

If your friend has practiced "Olympic" style judo, she may be in for a bit of an adjustment as we are a bit more well rounded in regards to our practice. We approach all three sports as if they are the same, and prepare for specific rulesets when the time comes.

A lot of folks have trouble with us, becasue we don't fit their nice neat molds of who does what. We are, and alwasy have been, equally focused on standing and ground-work.



Matt,

Good to hear that you are still at it, just don't let them cats convince you that groundwork isn't worth the time. ha..Anytime you are in this section of the state, stop in for a practice.

Aaron Fields

(WOW look at the lid and axes on my heading .... very nice.. thanks Tom..)

Yeah, Aaron summed it up pretty well and is a really great instructor. We're not your typical Judo club in that we have a much heavier emphasis on newaza than most Olympic-style clubs. The club really isn't a pure Jujutsu club, Judo club, or Sombo club, it's kind of all rolled into one. Sometimes we'll focus on one thing or another, but in general we are a well-rounded grappling club.

Nice Avatar Aaron!

Anyone reading this, be sure to jot down the dates of our Sambo Summit 08 training camp - Sept 12-14.

It will be either in Seattle at aaron's club or possible in Oregon. Should be finalized soon, but here is the details we got going now:

Advanced Notice:
The ASA will hold a 3 day live-in training camp in Seattle or Oregon (location being finalized as we speak) on September 12-14, 2008. Coaches in residence will be Gregg Humphreys, Aaron Fields, Dayn DeRose, and Stephen Koepfer. This camp will provide room and board as well as 3 training session per day. To get on the mailing list for this camp, please contact Stephen Koepfer at americansamboassociation@att.net

Where do you live in WA Razamataz?

Bellevue, and you?

just right downtown Seattle. About a 10 minute walk from the convention center.

hey SamboSteve, this sambo camp that is coming up... is it required that you have studied sambo before to go? it's still a bit aways, but if my injuries have magically gone away by then, I'd be interested in going.

It is not problem if you have not practiced Sombo for the camp. In fact, part of the reason for the camp is to expose folks to the sport. Last year was a big success and we are looking forward to another good camp.

Aaron Fields

Where do you teach Sombo in the Seattle are, I've never been able to find a Sombo school around here?

Also, how is Sombo supposed to be spelled, because I usually see it spelled Sambo?

it can be spelled with an "a" or an "o", but the "a" is considered mor correct. The "o" came about because of pressure ot be PC due to the old meaning of the word sambo. This is mainly an American thing. Most clubs, etc, around the world spell it with an "a".

Antone is welcome at the camp as aaron said. Sambo experience or not.

Razmataz,

I have been running a club in Seattle for a bit over nine years. We are located in the U-district. Our club website is www.seattle-jujutsu.org feel free to contact me directly.

Regards,
Aaron Fields