Army vet opens Jiu-Jitsu club in Kingston

A local army veteran is opening a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu club in Kingston in the Safeway shopping complex, offering people of all ages and abilities the chance to develop skills that are beneficial on and off the mat.

Head instructor David Jones has been practicing the martial arts form for almost 20 years and started training in 2005 when he was in the Army. He moved to Kingston a few years ago from Tacoma.

“Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has helped me integrate into civilian life in a way that I can’t really describe,” he said. “A big goal for me is to give that opportunity to other people. It had always been a dream of mine. The timing ended up lining up correctly. You get to a certain age and you decide you’re going to take your shot. There’s not a ton of opportunity for kids and adults out here so I thought we could really provide something that could be a benefit to the community.”

Kingston Jiu-Jitsu Club will offer classes Mondays through Fridays from 5-7:30 p.m. A variety will be offered, from beginning to advanced. Jones said he will eventually customize the class schedule once he finds what clients’ needs and wants are. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is based on ground fighting, submission wrestling and grappling where various techniques are used. Jones said he may add more types of martial arts if people demand it.

“It’s a great martial art for folks that are really at any skill level because you’re not dealing with the fast-twitch striking movement. It’s a lot more beginner-friendly,” Jones said. “Right now, the goal is to offer a class structure that is catered to beginner students because we know we are new to the community.”

Jones said the art form can benefit many people in a multitude of ways. “It’s a great activity for fitness,” he said. “It’s dynamic in a way where something like jogging isn’t. It’s a full-body workout. You’re mastering a skill, and it’s something where you very appreciably see ‘hey, I can do something today that you could not do before.’ It builds that confidence.”

Jones said more kids have been getting involved in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu the past few years, and added it’s an activity that is less susceptible to concussions compared to sports like football and rugby. “They aren’t running into each other full speed,” he said. “It’s a little more of a controlled environment.”

With the lack of martial arts clubs in the Kingston area, Jones said he’s been “overwhelmed by the support from the community. I was a little bit afraid that people wouldn’t take to it or be interested.”

He said multiple people have been contacting him daily about the club. “You meet people from all kinds of different backgrounds,” Jones said. “There’s a ton of veterans, tons of law enforcement…people just looking to better their lives and do something a little more active. The goal of the club is to make that community feel like a family.”

For details go to kingstonjjc.com