JIU-JITSU noun
joo-jit- soo
: the art of folding clothing with people still inside.
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ABOUT THE SLUG
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Based in Hilton, KZN, the Academy is a place meant to be an asset to the broader community. A place to train, improve your skills (jiu-jitsu or social), build fitness and build bonds forged in the fire of 5-minute rounds. Sticky Slug is a place to get to know others, have fun, and be part of an awesome community.
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We have people from all walks of life and all levels of interest, from our veterans with enough experience that it outdates the existence of Google, the competition bro's who snort rubber mat shavings like pre-workout, right to the newbies who wonder if we are all okay but love the vibe and stick around anyway.
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The Slug is a place where beginners can feel safe and supported, and those seeking a challenge can be pushed to reach their full potential. Sticky Slug is for everyone: ladies can learn physical confidence in a safe environment, kids can learn useful skills while having a jol, and guys can roll around in spandex (we're a no-gi BJJ gym) on rubber mats that aren't in another guys garage.
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​At the time of its birth, Sticky Slug was just a couple of guys in spandex rolling around on rubber mats in another guy's garage. But it became clear that there was potential to grow.
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So, the leap was leapt and The Slug was born.
We'd love to meet you and welcome you into the fold.
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It's not just a Slug House, it's a Slug Home
MEET THE TEAM
REITZE RODSETH
FOUNDER, COACH, THE BIG SLUG
Slug-Life Philosophy:
" Take Jiu-Jitsu seriously, but never yourself. Master the art, stay humble and keep it light."
The Main Man himself, Reitze, is not only the head coach but the founder behind Sticky Slug (yes, it was his garage), who discovered the joys of jits later in life and falling head over heels in love, he began his jiu-jitsu journey in 2020.
Under the hawk-like eyes of black belt William Oberholzer, and with the direction, inspiration — and horrendous jokes — of BJJ Black belt Clem Jolly, Reitze received his Blue belt. The complexity, challenge, and exhilaration of the sport still draw him back, and jiu-jitsu has become a self-proclaimed obsession.
His approach to coaching for Slug is ecological; he aims to teach the foundational function of positioning and technique in a live training environment, making it fun and immediately applicable.
SHER SINGH
COACH, MAT ENFORCER, TECHNIQUE GURU
Slug-Life Philosophy:
"Knowledge is everything, don't limit yourself to what you learn or how you learn it."
Sher is Sticky Slug's resident purple belt and jiu-jitsu aficionado. Training since 2017, he began his journey in MMA, but his heart has always belonged to jiu-jitsu and the mental challenge it provides. He has continued his pursuit of knowledge and skill development holding 3 golds for his category at Submission Kings and Ground Quest.
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He has developed a love for coaching as not only does he find it rewarding to see his students succeed and grow in their jiu-jitsu, but it also challenges his knowledge and skills in new ways, pushing him to become better at the art.
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Sher emphasises the importance of understanding in his coaching style, ensuring students not only know how to do something but also why they do it and when to apply it.
JUANITA PATTEN
COACH, LADY SLUG QUEEN
Slug-Life Philosophy:
"Every journey begins with a step. I just make sure mine comes with laughs, smiles and the occasional choke."
Juanita is our Lady Slug Leader. As the coach of the ladies' classes, she boasts a Purple belt, many medals from local competitions, and the ability to make any of the guys question if they really know what they are doing. With a jits career long enough for it to be in the second grade, she initially started out of curiosity and a desire to learn self-defence after an experience with hijacking (thanks for the suggestion, Juanita's Dad!).
Juanita is not a resident Slug and trains in Hillcrest most of her time; the rest of it is spent as a travelling coach for her own Nomad Jiu-Jitsu. She brings her fun, creative and casual coaching style to the Slug mats and wants all of her students (and rolling partners) to feel comfortable and welcome in her classes.
GIAN-CARLO TORINO
COACH, WEAPON, GOLDEN BOY
Slug-Life Philosophy:
"Discomfort and uncertainty are signs you're about to level up, so keep showing up no matter what."
Before starting Mixed Martial Arts, Gian always wanted to be strong and have a usable body, not just one for show with no practical function. He started MMA in 2020 and realised from his first class that it was what he had been looking for (and as cliché as it sounds) he found his calling, his perfect Cinderella slipper fit on the mats.
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Since then, Gian quickly progressed, grading straight to Blue. He holds the titles of Welterweight MMASA Champ for 2 consecutive years, multiple medals in local BJJ competitions, and has competed in multiple Submission Kings super-fight cards.
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Gians' approach to coaching is to establish a solid understanding of his students, their skills, fitness, mindset (and everything in between), helping them truly grasp the fundamentals and creating a solid foundation to build on.
NEIL DU PLESSIS
COACH
Slug-Life Philosophy:
"Enjoy the process, there is no 'end result'."
Neil, though training for shy of 2 years, rose quickly through the ranks to a well-deserved blue belt. The feeling of being in schoolboy fights and not being able to win never left him until he found jiu-jitsu. Now he is not only a competing athlete at Sticky Slug but a well-rounded coach teaching both Adult and Kids classes.
The ''light duty" conflict he experiences on the mats has become a place of comfort. Through jiu-jitsu, Neil found a sense of security in knowing he could handle potential altercations safely and effectively in the wild, using proper technique. He thrives on being able to instil that comfort in students, especially the Kids, approaching coaching with 80% fun and games and 20% learning, making sessions lighthearted and expressive.
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DYLAN HARRIS
JUNIORS COACH
Slug-Life Philosophy:
"I can either be disheartened, or I can learn what not to do."
4-stripe White belt, Dylan, is Sticky Slugs' dedicated Juniors coach alongside Neil. He has shown a talent to connect with the younger students and helps them to rapidly develop their skills and love for the art.
Having lived next door to a jiu-jitsu gym during his time in Cape Town, Dylan developed a curiosity for the sport and has since been an active and dedicated member for 2 years.
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Dylan's approach to coaching blends the ecological approach of The Slug with fun and technique so his students can have a great time while they learn.
OUR CLASSES
ADULTS
Our Adults class is the Sticky Slug general open class.
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Here, we take the craft seriously but not ourselves. Welcoming to all skill levels and genders, this is a place where you can learn and grow rapidly among people from all walks of life.
The age range is generally teens to really old (Clem), though we do have the occasional pre-teen prodigy. The Adult classes are our most regularly run classes, suitable for beginners through to advanced members. You can expect to improve your ground game and learn new techniques while increasing your fitness abilities in an ego-free, mutually respectful environment.
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A safe environment to learn and push yourself, you will be taught by Coach Reitze and Sher.
LADIES
The Sticky Slug Ladies' only classes are what you get if you want to become the Powerpuff Girls, Black Widow, and Sarah Connor all wrapped in one, but with a "NO STINKY BOYS ALLOWED" sign slapped on the door.
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In a padded room of like-minded women, strictly taught by the accomplished (and majorly badass) Coach Juanita, you can expect a friendly and supportive environment to learn new and useful skills to protect yourself. Jiu-jitsu is a great fitness alternative giving you a full-body workout that builds cardio, strength and flexibility.
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Walk off the mats feeling stronger and more capable with each lesson and surprise yourself with what you can achieve.
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KIDS
Our Adults class is the Sticky Slug general open class.
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Here, we take the craft seriously but not ourselves. Welcoming to all skill levels and genders, this is a place where you can learn and grow rapidly among people from all walks of life.
The age range is generally teens to really old (Clem), though we do have the occasional pre-teen prodigy. The Adult classes are our most regularly run classes, suitable for beginners through to advanced members. You can expect to improve your ground game and learn new techniques while increasing your fitness abilities in an ego-free, mutually respectful environment.
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A safe environment to learn and push yourself, you will be taught by Coach Reitze and Sher.
CLASS SCHEDULE
Our fees are structured on a per-class or per-month basis. Kids' classes are paid purely on a class-to-class basis.
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WHERE TO FIND US
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Who can join Sticky Slug BJJ classes?Slug is welcoming to everyone. We have both men and women in our classes, but there is a seperate class for ladies only. All ages welcome.
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What are the gym rules/etiquette?Bring a pair of slops/sliders, we dont allow shoes on the mats or bare feet off of them. Remove jewelry and watches before class starts. Practice proper hygiene: short and clean finger and toenails, freshen up before a roll (we are going to be up in each others business), cover-up scratches or cuts. Please do not roll if you are sick. No means no, if someone does not want to roll with you there will be someone else who will, we respect each other on and off the mats.
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Do I need specific clothing?No, we are a No-Gi gym. A tshirt and shorts are fine. Some people like to wear tights under their shorts.
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Do you teach MMA?We are pur blooded grapplers at Slug, we don't teach striking or kicks, but our curriculum does have a strong wrestling focus!