About five years after pro fighter Dusty Mason moved to Collinsville, he decided he wanted to find a way to give back to the community. He also wanted to give kids confidence and provide an alternative to being stuck at home playing video games.
In March, he opened Pirate Jiu-Jitsu, a non-profit gym where students aged 4 to 99 could learn the art of Jiu-Jitsu.
Pirate Jiu-Jitsu, named for the local school mascot, serves children and adults, including first responders and even professional fighters. They offer classes Monday through Thursday. At 4:30 p.m. they offer classes for elementary kids and at 5:30 p.m. they offer classes for middle schoolers through adults.
Mason hopes to grow to the point of adding another adult class at 6:30 p.m. and a women’s-only defense seminar (which he’ll be testing with the public soon).
The gym has three instructors in the area, as well as a head coach (Nathan Kirby) in Little Rock and another coach (Jon Correa) in Indiana.
Two weekends ago, Mason took his students to their first tournament, the North American Grappling Association (NAGA) World Championships at the Duncanville Field House. There were 1,600 competitors that Saturday, 14 of which were from Pirate Jiu-Jitsu. With less than six months of preparation, 12 of Mason’s 14 students made podium (1st, 2nd or 3rd place).
While Pirate Jiu-Jitsu is a non-profit organization, there’s a small membership fee to help offset the overhead costs of running the gym. Mason also offers scholarships for students who can’t afford to join.
“My goal at this point is to increase enrollment, move forward, move our kids up in the ranks and go to more competitions,” Mason said. “The end goal is to increase the skills of our students, build their confidence and hopefully they’ll one day give back like we’re trying to do.”
While it’s true the gym teaches Jiu-Jitsu moves (of which there are thousands) and increases skill by belt level, Pirate Jiu-Jitsu teaches so much more. The gym not only builds strength, but also builds confidence, flexibility and focus and attention.
“It’s more than just Jiu-Jitsu,” Mason said. “It’s about dealing with diversity (people of all backgrounds and skill levels) and not giving up. Students are learning moves and training aspects but also getting life skills.”
Mason’s classes are fast-paced to keep students engaged and to maintain their interest and attention. So far, he’s getting great feedback from parents.
Jason Sinks enrolled his four-year-old son, Abel (“Aus”) in March.
“He’s got a lot of energy,” Sinks said. “We needed an avenue for him to expel that energy.”
Because of Aus’s age, Sinks didn’t know if he’d be a good candidate for Pirate Jiu-Jitsu, but Mason explained the program and admitted him.
“He’s just taken off,” Sinks said of his son. “His focus level changed dramatically. Dusty’s been such a big part of his life since March. He’s so patient and in-tune with the kids. In the gym, he’s Coach Dusty, but when we see him out in public, Aus calls him Uncle Dusty. That’s how much Dusty means to Aus.”
Sinks has not only enjoyed watching Aus develop at the gym, but he’s enjoyed watching all the other kids grow through the program. Sinks noticed one student early on who seemed uncoordinated, but since joining the gym his attitude and confidence levels have changed.
“I don’t know these kids’ back stories, but what I see is their growth,” Sinks said. “Their transformation since March is amazing.”
Sinks wasn’t sure what to expect from the gym’s first tournament.
“It’s not about watching kids beat the tar out of each other,” he said. “What I saw was kids having the time of their life. They were shaking hands, there was no atmosphere of competition – it was like a family-oriented sport.”
Sinks isn’t the only parent who has been happy with their child’s experience at Pirate Jiu-Jitsu.
“As a parent, I am exceedingly grateful for the support, friendship and care our kids experienced there. It’s an experience they won’t forget,” Fran Melo said of his son Davie’s experience.
To learn more about Pirate Jiu-Jitsu, visit the organization’s Facebook page, call 432-889-3142 or visit www.PirateJiuJitsu.com and take advantage of a free week trial.
