Build strength, skill, and confidence

Evolution Martial Arts NL is a community-first academy in Newfoundland offering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and functional conditioning for adults and kids.

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Got a question? Email us at evolutionmartialartsnl@gmail.com and we'll get back to you soon.

Sunday, November 15, 2026 · Holiday Inn St. John's Conference Centre

High Tide Submission Series: Gi Tournament

High Tide is back with a bigger venue, more mat space for a shorter day, more activities for kids, and the same cash and prizes you've come to love. Every competitor gets a free registration kit.

Divisions
Kids, teens, and adults, plus an absolute division each for men and women.
Prizes
$500 cash to the winners of the men's and women's absolute divisions.
The day
Kids divisions start in the morning and run into the afternoon. Adult divisions run into the afternoon, finishing with the absolutes.

Match rules

  • Adults & high school (16+): 10-minute rounds
  • Ages 12–15: 6-minute rounds
  • Kids 11 & under: 4-minute rounds
  • No submission in time? The referee decides.
  • Absolutes have no time limit and must end in a submission.

Registration fees

Register by Kids 15 & under 16 & up
Early bird until Oct 2 $55 $65
Regular until Oct 16 $65 $75
Regular until Oct 30 $75 $85
Late until Nov 12 $85 $100

Fees are per division. The absolute is a separate division, and you must also compete in your regular division to enter it. Organizers may adjust weight classes to keep divisions even.

How to register

Registration is closed. See you on the mats!

Tap the button to open a pre-filled email to hightidebjj@gmail.com, add your details, and send.

Pay by e-Transfer to hightidebjj@gmail.com with the password "tournament". Registration isn't accepted until payment is received.

Registration closes Thursday, November 12 at 11:59 PM.

Email your registration

Programs for every fighter

Whether you are stepping on the mats for the first time or sharpening competition skills, our training blocks meet you where you are.

Adults • Gi

Gi Jiu Jitsu Adult (14 +)

Build a strong Brazilian jiu-jitsu base with structured drills, positional rounds, and live sparring. Learn to blend fluid transitions with smart strategy on the mats.

  • Technical drilling with positional focus
  • Live sparring to apply new skills
  • Coaching tailored to every experience level

Youth • BJJ

Kids Jiu Jitsu

Boost confidence, discipline, and coordination through playful technique. Classes focus on practical self-defence while keeping training upbeat and supportive.

  • Confidence-building games and drills
  • Practical self-defence foundations
  • Supportive coaching for young athletes

Adults • No-Gi

No Gi Jiu Jitsu (14 +)

Level up grappling without the gi by combining BJJ, wrestling, and submission fundamentals. Ideal for MMA cross-training and athletes who like a faster pace.

  • Blend BJJ, wrestling, and submission grappling
  • Fast-paced rounds for MMA crossover training
  • Footwork and grip-fighting focus

Adults • Striking

Kickboxing (14 +)

Sharpen striking technique with Dutch-style pad work, bag drills, and conditioning. Classes welcome every fitness level and deliver a serious sweat.

  • Dutch-style pad and bag work
  • High-energy conditioning blocks
  • Open to every fitness level

Open Mat

Randori

Open mat style rolling to test new techniques or drill with teammates. Stay playful, experiment, and build mat time in a coached environment.

  • Coach-supervised sparring sessions
  • Experiment with new techniques
  • Build mat time alongside teammates

Weekly schedule

Drop in for your first class 15 minutes early so we can show you around the facility.

Drop-ins welcome every day of the week.

Monday

  • Adult Gi
  • Adult Gi

Tuesday

  • Kickboxing
  • Adult No-Gi

Wednesday

  • Kids Ages 4–8
  • Kids Ages 9–14

Thursday

  • Kickboxing
  • Adult No-Gi

Friday

  • Kids Wrestling (10–16)

Saturday

  • Kids Ages 4–8
  • Women's Kickboxing
  • Adult Gi
  • MMA Comp. Team

Sunday

  • Kickboxing
  • Open Mat

Ready to train?

Your first class is free. Come see what we're about.

Sign up now

The Team

Meet the instructors and coaches who guide our members on and off the mats.

Portrait of Lead Instructor Dru Hillyard

Lead Instructor

Dru Hillyard – Dru is a Black Belt under Prof. Dan Guillemette and Prof. Steve Burgess and has been studying Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) for over 15+ years. To date Dru has over 8 years experience instructing BJJ not to mention many more years of experience as an instructor in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Team Members

Brown Belt: Ashley Hillyard, Matthew Peyton

Purple Belt: Adam Reynolds, Darren Hodder, Dawson Sampson, Gavin Andrews, Jake Reid, James Rowe, Jason Williams, Jeremy Budgell, Kirk Kendall, Owen Warren

Blue Belt: Erin Christopher, Gianni Costanzo, John Cooper, Kristen Nolan, Marc Humber, Owen Savage, Rufaro Gundu, Sean McCarthy, Simon Howard

Flexible memberships

Choose a plan that fits your training goals. All memberships include open mat access and prices are Tax-In.

Unlimited Grappling Training

$138/month

Train in every gi and no-gi class each week, with daily open mat access and member-only seminars.

  • All gi & no-gi classes included
  • Daily open mat access
  • Member-only seminars

Unlimited Grappling & Striking

$172.50/month

Access all grappling and striking sessions, get competition prep support, and add conditioning and mobility when you need it.

  • Every grappling & striking class
  • Competition prep support
  • Flexible conditioning add-ons

2 Classes Per Week

$80.50/month

Pick any two weekly classes to focus your training, receive targeted technical coaching, and enjoy open mat on your training days.

  • Choose any two sessions weekly
  • Targeted technical coaching
  • Open mat access on training days

Women's Only All Skills

$63.25/month

Join a weekly women-led BJJ class that welcomes every experience level and builds confidence through supportive drilling.

  • Weekly women-led BJJ class
  • Welcoming to every experience level
  • Confidence-building drills

Kids Jiu Jitsu

$74.75/month

Enroll in one structured youth session each week that develops focus, discipline, and success in a small class environment.

  • One structured youth session weekly
  • Small class environment
  • Develop focus, discipline, and coordination

Women's Kickboxing

$138/6-week program

The same Dutch-style kickboxing technique as our co-ed class, taught by a female instructor in a women's-only environment. Classes welcome every fitness level and deliver a serious sweat.

  • Dutch-style pad and bag work
  • High-energy conditioning blocks
  • Open to every fitness level

Visit the academy

We are located on Kenmount Rd and have free parking and easy access to public transport.