Relson Gracie, the 2nd oldest son of Helio Gracie, moved to Hawaii in 1988. He began learning jiu-jitsu at 2 and entered his first competition at the age of 10. He was the Brazilian National Champion for 22 years straight, and during this period went undefeated. He became so popular that he attained the nickname "Campeao" or "Champion" among his friends and fans. Upon his arrival to Honolulu, it was with great pleasure that Relson introduced the art of Gracie Jiu-jitsu to the Aloha State. Relson along with his brothers Rorion, Rickson, Royler, and Rolker help prepare their younger brother Royce for the first several Ultimate Fighting Championships. This no-holds-barred competition was formed by Rorion Gracie to showcase the brilliant fighting and self-defense style of Gracie jiu-jitsu to the world. What had already been developed and tested in real life competition and fighting since the 1920’s in Brazil has now changed main streammartial arts in the U.S. and the rest of the world forever. Relson Gracie in his early years was known for his many street fights and the brutal and unpredictable style in which he engaged those fights. Now many years retired from competition Relson’s philosophy reflects his Father’s, “train for self defense and personal advancement”. Relson currently hold the rank of 8th degree red and black belt under Helio Gracie. Relson enjoys teaching classes in Hawaii and has become quite fond of the island life. Relson travels to the Savannah Association every two-three months to conduct group seminars, demonstrations and private classes.
Born August 5th, 1972, Garth David Douglas Spendiff to Emily and David Spendiff in Neptune New Jersey. Garth was raised with two older brothers and a sister in Colts Neck, New Jersey. Garth is an Official Instructor and Association Director under Relson Gracie (8th Degree Red and Black Belt under Helio Gracie ). Mr. Spendiff is a highly regarded instructor of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and is a Level IV Instructor in the Modern Army Combatives Program. He is also one of the only non-law enforcement personnel recognized by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center as a Certified Controlled Tactics Instructor. Mr. Spendiff has captured many medals over the years in competition including a gold in the 2002 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Pan American Games. In addition to competing at the national level, Mr. Spendiff takes great pride in his teaching of this “gentle art”. Numerous medals have been earned from members of the Relson Gracie Savannah Competition Team. Mr. Spendiff’s educational background includes a Bachelors degree in Nutrition and a Masters degree in Exercise Physiology from Georgia Southern University. Garth is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. For two years Garth served as the Chief Combatives and Physical Training Instructor of the 3rd Infantry Division which houses approximately 20’000 Army Soldiers. Prior to his work with the military, Garth served five years in the Department of Health and Human Sciences at Georgia Southern University where he taught graduate and undergraduate courses in exercise physiology, nutrition, and health. While there he also helped develop the GSU Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Submission Grappling Club and served as the faculty advisor and instructor. Garth currently works as an Exercise Physiologist for U.S. Customs and Border Protection and is stationed out of the Federal Law Enforcement Training center in Glynco, GA. In 2007 Garth was recognized and awarded by the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and the Commissioner for his leadership and efforts in developing and implementing the Border Patrol Standardized Physical Conditioning Program. In addition he was nominated by his peers for the prestigious Arthur S. Flemming Award for Public Service sponsored through George Washington University. Away from his work with the government Garth owns and directs Coastal Combatives & Sports Conditioning Inc., a company specializing in self-defense instruction, military and law enforcement Combatives, and high level sports conditioning. Coastal Combative Inc. currently provides instruction to Rincon, Brunswick, Fort Stewart and Coastal Savannah areas. Mr. Spendiff and his wife Angie are raising two young boys Grayson 7 years and Carson 4 years, and daughter Riley 1 year in beautiful Guyton, Georgia.
Scott Devine is a 2nd Degree Black Belt and the first Black Belt under Relson Gracie. Scott has over 16 years of Jiu-Jitsu experience. He currently serves as the Head Instructor of the Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Association in Brunswick, GA. Prior to his move to Georgia; Scott worked as a Uniformed Officer and as a Training Instructor for the United States Secret Service in Washington, DC. Scott is presently employed as a Senior Instructor by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and teaches controlled tactics and arrest techniques. He is a multiple time Pan American Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gold medalist and is one of the most well received instructors in the United States.
(From Left to Right) Mike Sergi - Purple Belt [See Bio], Fletcher Moore - Brown Belt , Lance Dykes - Purple Belt [See Bio], and Jake Wattenbarger
Relson Gracie, the 2nd oldest son of Helio Gracie, moved to Hawaii in 1988. He began learning jiu-jitsu at 2 and entered his first competition at the age of 10. He was the Brazilian National Champion for 22 years straight, and during this period went undefeated. He became so popular that he attained the nickname "Campeao" or "Champion" among his friends and fans. Upon his arrival to Honolulu, it was with great pleasure that Relson introduced the art of Gracie Jiu-jitsu to the Aloha State. Relson along with his brothers Rorion, Rickson, Royler, and Rolker help prepare their younger brother Royce for the first several Ultimate Fighting Championships. This no-holds-barred competition was formed by Rorion Gracie to showcase the brilliant fighting and self-defense style of Gracie jiu-jitsu to the world. What had already been developed and tested in real life competition and fighting since the 1920’s in Brazil has now changed main streammartial arts in the U.S. and the rest of the world forever. Relson Gracie in his early years was known for his many street fights and the brutal and unpredictable style in which he engaged those fights. Now many years retired from competition Relson’s philosophy reflects his Father’s, “train for self defense and personal advancement”. Relson currently hold the rank of 8th degree red and black belt under Helio Gracie. Relson enjoys teaching classes in Hawaii and has become quite fond of the island life. Relson travels to the Savannah Association every two-three months to conduct group seminars, demonstrations and private classes.
Born August 5th, 1972, Garth David Douglas Spendiff to Emily and David Spendiff in Neptune New Jersey. Garth was raised with two older brothers and a sister in Colts Neck, New Jersey. Garth is an Official Instructor and Association Director under Relson Gracie (8th Degree Red and Black Belt under Helio Gracie ). Mr. Spendiff is a highly regarded instructor of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and is a Level IV Instructor in the Modern Army Combatives Program. He is also one of the only non-law enforcement personnel recognized by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center as a Certified Controlled Tactics Instructor. Mr. Spendiff has captured many medals over the years in competition including a gold in the 2002 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Pan American Games. In addition to competing at the national level, Mr. Spendiff takes great pride in his teaching of this “gentle art”. Numerous medals have been earned from members of the Relson Gracie Savannah Competition Team. Mr. Spendiff’s educational background includes a Bachelors degree in Nutrition and a Masters degree in Exercise Physiology from Georgia Southern University. Garth is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. For two years Garth served as the Chief Combatives and Physical Training Instructor of the 3rd Infantry Division which houses approximately 20’000 Army Soldiers. Prior to his work with the military, Garth served five years in the Department of Health and Human Sciences at Georgia Southern University where he taught graduate and undergraduate courses in exercise physiology, nutrition, and health. While there he also helped develop the GSU Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Submission Grappling Club and served as the faculty advisor and instructor. Garth currently works as an Exercise Physiologist for U.S. Customs and Border Protection and is stationed out of the Federal Law Enforcement Training center in Glynco, GA. In 2007 Garth was recognized and awarded by the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and the Commissioner for his leadership and efforts in developing and implementing the Border Patrol Standardized Physical Conditioning Program. In addition he was nominated by his peers for the prestigious Arthur S. Flemming Award for Public Service sponsored through George Washington University. Away from his work with the government Garth owns and directs Coastal Combatives & Sports Conditioning Inc., a company specializing in self-defense instruction, military and law enforcement Combatives, and high level sports conditioning. Coastal Combative Inc. currently provides instruction to Rincon, Brunswick, Fort Stewart and Coastal Savannah areas. Mr. Spendiff and his wife Angie are raising two young boys Grayson 7 years and Carson 4 years, and daughter Riley 1 year in beautiful Guyton, Georgia.
Scott Devine is a 2nd Degree Black Belt and the first Black Belt under Relson Gracie. Scott has over 16 years of Jiu-Jitsu experience. He currently serves as the Head Instructor of the Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Association in Brunswick, GA. Prior to his move to Georgia; Scott worked as a Uniformed Officer and as a Training Instructor for the United States Secret Service in Washington, DC. Scott is presently employed as a Senior Instructor by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and teaches controlled tactics and arrest techniques. He is a multiple time Pan American Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gold medalist and is one of the most well received instructors in the United States.