Professional qualified instructors, ready to provide you with the best training experience.
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!
What Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Means To Me
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a powerful way to stay fit, forge connections, and embrace the lessons of resilience and growth through failure.
Michael began his martial arts journey on the Gold Coast at age 15. In 1990, as an exchange student in Chantaburi, Thailand, he trained in Muay Thai and learned to speak Thai.
He earned his Taekwondo black belt in 2000, the same year he started training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. From 2001 to 2005, he gained experience in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling.
After receiving his Purple Belt in 2006, he focused his training on Mixed Martial Arts. In 2022, he resumed Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, achieving his black belt in 2024. Michael is passionate about teaching and helping students grow and improve.
Ricardo strives with passion to keep representing the red shield and see our students success on their Jiu-Jitsu journey to one day achieving their black belts.
Ricardo Hernandez Valdes “Chato” grew up in Acapulco, Mexico where he started his martial arts journey at a very early age. Ricardo achieved his black and red belts in the discipline of Tae-kwon-do.
In 2010 Ricardo started practicing self-defense and Jet-kuen-do where he was introduced to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, training from the start under the Gracie Barra team. In June 2023 Ricardo achieved his black belt under Gracie Barra Surfers Paradise head coach Guilherme Trestini.
Shortly after receiving his blue belt, Ricardo started to co-coach beginners and kids classes. Today Ricardo is teaching an adult’s class once a week at Gracie Barra Surfers Paradise, he has a blue card and also helps some of the younger students, he enjoys spreading the benefits of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Ricardo considers Jiu-Jitsu a lifestyle and has a passion to compete and also referee in Jiu-Jitsu tournaments.
BJJ helped me to develop discipline and improve Self-Confidence besides strength and conditioning.