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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
A basic introduction to Brazilian jiu-jitsu has some Fort Simpson residents eager to learn more about the martial art.

Instructor Faron Sinnicks, right, of Yellowknife, and Chris Stipdonk of Fort Simpson spar during a Brazilian jiu-jitsu clinic in the village on Dec. 1. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Faron Sinnicks, the founder of the Alliance Arctic Jiu-Jitsu club in Yellowknife, led a three-day clinic in Fort Simpson from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2. Sinnicks worked with members of the Fort Simpson Judo Club and the 2860 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps as well as a group of interested adults.

"It was mind blowing," said Aaron Nadia, who attended the adult session.

Nadia had taken some self-defence before but never jiu-jitsu.

"It's like learning a new language," he said, because there are so many interpretations of the basic techniques.

Nadia was also impressed by the way jiu-jitsu provides a whole body workout. It's different than lifting weights, for example, where you're only targeting certain muscle groups at one time, he said.

Working with the adults on Saturday and Sunday, Sinnicks taught them basic fundamental jiu-jitsu including submissions and positions. Jiu-jitsu is the type of martial art that anyone can do, he said.

"You don't have to be an athlete to do it," he said.

Jiu-jitsu is also accessible because it's not an expensive sport, he said. All you need is a uniform and belt to get started.

Sinnicks got hooked on the martial art while in university. He tried wrestling and judo before trying Brazilian jiu-jitsu based on a recommendation from a cousin. After being "turned inside out" during his first class by a guy who was much smaller than him, Sinnicks kept coming back to figure out how he did it.

Other martial arts are more force-oriented while jiu-jitsu is about creating and using leverage, he said.

"It's all about the small details," he said.

Family atmosphere

Sinnicks said he likes those small details as well as the fact that he knows his students can protect themselves if something bad happens. There is also a family atmosphere to the sport because in order to grapple one has to be familiar with their grappling partner, he said.

Sinnicks said he saw a lot of potential in the people he taught while in Fort Simpson. He cautioned, however, that one clinic isn't enough to teach the martial art. One needs to train at it, he said.

The Mackenzie Recreation Association sponsored the clinic. Sinnicks said he hopes to return in the new year to teach some more advanced skills.

The members of the Fort Simpson Judo Club enjoyed learning some basic jiu-jitsu with Sinnicks on Saturday, according to Dean Harvey, the club's sensei.

Sinnicks has a good, strong presence that the kids responded to, said Harvey.

"They really like it," he said.

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