Professionally qualified instructors ready to provide you with the best martial arts and BJJ training on the Gold Coast.
ICP Qualified
First Aid/CPR Qualified
Blue Card holders
Head Coach Professor Guilherme Trestini (Gui) Professor Gui started training Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 12 in Rio de Janeiro so he has a wealth of experience to share with you all. He trained and taught in Brazil for many years, and more recently he has been teaching at Gracie Barra Fulham (UK) and Gracie Barra West Kensington (UK) under Professor Lucio 'Lagarto' Rodrigues who is considered one of the best in the business.
Gui brings plenty of energy and excellent technique to his classes and has built a friendly and vibrant community at Gracie Barra Surfers Paradise.
My background is in stand-up martial arts so when I first learned of BJJ it was exciting to see a fighting art that could fill in the gaps if I ended up on the ground. As we age, certain activities become more taxing on the body and some sports are no longer possible at a competitive level. BJJ is the absolute perfect balance to my stand-up martial arts training. It allows me to keep challenging myself, and keep the body incredibly active and mobile, even into my sixties.
I was born and bred right here at Surfers Paradise and began training in Kyokushin Karate here on the Gold Coast in 1971 (when there were only two martial arts schools on the entire Coast!). In 1976, I lived for one year year in Japan and trained under the founder of Kyokushin Karate, Mas Oyama (close friend and training partner of the great Kimura Masahiko, who fought Hello Gracie in their famous 1952 exhibition match). Over a period of 17 years, I served as Mas Oyama’s interpreter/translator and in 1987, wrote his biography, “The Budo Karate of Mas Oyama”.
My BJJ journey began in 1993. My work took me to LA every other week, so I trained regularly under Professors Carlos and Rigan Machado. Whilst there, I reconnected with my old martial arts friend John Donehue, who became my main BJJ coach and mentor. John graded me from white to brown belt. It was also through Professor John Donehue that I was able to meet and train with the great “Judo” Gene LeBell, wrestling’s “Zen master” Rico Chiapparelli (who was then training UFC greats Randy Couture, Dan Henderson and Frank Trigg), and Erik Paulson. When Grand Master Carlos Gracie Jr and GB Chief Instructor Professor Marcio Feitosa toured Australia in 1996, I was able to assist by organising the Queensland sector of their tour. I absolutely love continuing my training here at Gracie Barra Surfers Paradise and look forward to training with you!
Jiu Jitsu has, and continues to, improve my quality of life
Vikki began her Jiu Jitsu journey in Fulham, London in 2019 under the world famous Professor Lagarto. She quickly fell in love with the sport when she noticed improvements in her mindset, health and overall wellbeing. At GB Fulham, Vikki met Professor Gui and trained with him until he left for Australia. A year later, Vikki arrived with us at GBSP as Program Director.
It is Vikki's goal to share the benefits of Jiu Jitsu with as many people as she can and create a strong community of practitioners.