ST.AUGUSTINE, FL (June 6, 2013) – Several Gracie Black Belt Academies in North Florida have partnered with Norwegian cruise lines to bring Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) enthusiasts everywhere ‘Black Belt Overboard’, a family friendly Caribbean cruise on the luxurious Norwegian Sky. The three day cruise sets sail on August 2, 2013 and will travel to Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau, Bahamas, returning to Miami on August 5th. This unique BJJ based cruise incorporates daily Jiu-Jitsu training lead by world-class BJJ Black Belts and offers over 40 excursions that the entire family can enjoy.
According to WEC veteran and Senior Ranked Relson Gracie Black Belt, “We are very excited to partner with Norwegian cruise lines to offer a BJJ based family vacation. It is a wonderful opportunity for BJJ enthusiasts to travel to new places, train with world-class instructors, and vacation with their family. It offers all of the amenities and activities of a traditional cruise and Black Belt Overboard participants are guaranteed to roll with several black belts during their vacation.”
In the 90’s Phil Dyer, a hospitality specialist and Martial Artist, introduced the first-ever luxury cruise/Jiu-Jitsu training vacation package under the direction of Rorion Gracie. It was so well received that it sold out in 30 days and became an annual event. Florida Gracie Academy owners are bringing back the tradition with ‘Black Belt Overboard’! They are very excited to present the Gracie inspired BJJ/cruise vacation package to a new generation of Jiu-Jitsu students!
Meet the ‘Black Belt’ Overboard Instructors:
Phil Cardella – Cardella is a senior ranked Relson Gracie Black Belt who boasts over 13 years of experience. As an MMA competitor, Cardella has fought in open weight tournaments in Vegas, the Nationwide Arena, the Honolulu Convention Center, and more. As a coach, he has led many elite MMA fighters to victory and has cornered at many UFC, WEC and StrikeForce vets.
James Smiley – Smiley is a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Edson Diniz and owner of a world class facility "Combat Athletix" in Orange Park, Florida. Smiley is also a certified Krav Maga Instructor, and a BlackBelt in Taekwondo. He was the sport Jiu-Jitsu Heavyweight World Champion in 2009. He has taught the Clay County Sherrifs department, and assisted Tim Kennedy in a seminar at Camp Blanding. He has trained with some of the best Jiu-Jitsu practitioners in the world including Relson Gracie, Royce Gracie, Jacare Calvalcanti, Dean Lister and many more.
John Michael ‘Hawk’ – In 1996, while enlisted in the United States Coast Guard, John-Michael was introduced to Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Since then he has excelled as both a competitor and instructor in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and was given the honor of teaching at Relson Gracie's main Academy. Relson took John-Michael under his wing and even into his home for many years. During that time John-Michael trained with some of the best BJJ practitioners in the world (in the U.S. and in Brazil), including several members of the Gracie family.
Allen Hopkins – Hopkins is a 3rd Degree Black Belt under Master Pedro Sauer. Hopkins started the first unofficial Pedro Sauer affiliate in Dodge City, Kansas in 1992. In 1993 he moved in with the Sauer family and began to working directly for Master Sauer. He continued to do so in one capacity or another for the next twelve years, allowing him accumulate more training hours with Master Sauer than any student past or present.
In addition to scheduled group training sessions on the high seas, personal one-on-one BJJ instruction will be available for students that want to optimize their learning experience while on board the Norwegian Sky. During private lessons the instructor will adapt techniques to suit the individual’s strengths and weaknesses. All ‘Black Belt Overboard’ Instructors are available for private instruction for an addition fee (space is limited).
Black Belt Overboard guests are guaranteed to stay busy. Whether they are training, lounging by the pool, or embarking on excursions while on land, everyone in the family can enjoy something that suits their taste! Norwegian sky has 10 different Bars/Lounges, 5 hot tubs (one dedicated just to the kids), two pools, a spa, casino, Arcade room, children's activities, babysitting services, and so much more!
To view the detailed BJJ training itinerary and cruise amenities or to purchase tickets for this extraordinary jiu-jitsu vacation package, please log on to www.blackbeltoverboard.com. BJJ enthusiasts can also email Black Belt Overboard related questions to INFO@Blackbeltoverboard.com or call 904-209-9379. \
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