De La Costa Academy | Ottawa BJJ & Self Defense

Fantastic experience: I stopped in Ottawa on a work trip and came to De La Costa Academy for a Tuesday open mat. I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of high-level brown and black belts rolling. It was an excellent experience and I’ll make sure to drop in again the next time I’m in town.

Fantastic experience: Great people, great vibes, fantastic instructors, and honestly can't speak highly enough of the people there. Very friendly atmosphere, and welcoming place. Coaches are friendly, accommodating, and encouraging. Anyone who's looking to try a martial art, should consider this place.

Fantastic experience: Very welcoming place, really good people, and high level jiujitsu

Fantastic experience: Wow! So impressed by that gym. First of all Joe, the owner has the best BJJ philosophy I have ever encountered, he invites all gyms & all people to his open mats & strives to learn from everyone so his gym gets better & Lord does it work! Damian, the head coach puts great attention to details and sets a great vibe. The level is really high but people take great care of each other to avoid injuries. I hope to work in Ottawa more often just to be able to visit more often. Also looking forward to visit their gym in Dominican Republic. Thank you guys for great rolls and your legendary hospitality.

Fantastic experience: Great people. Clean facility. Detailed and clear instruction.

Fantastic experience: Hi, Thank you so much for the great hospitality. I had the best time!!As a woman I would definitely recommend this club to other women. The men are real gentlemen and my bjj sisters are adorable, spirited and feisty in the best way . Will visit again when I'm in Ottawa. Love Valerie

Fantastic experience: Stopped in for their open mat when I was in Ottawa for the weekend. 2 hours of straight roll with some of the nicest and most technical people I’ve rolled with. I learned a ton and had nothing but fun. Highly recommended for all levels gi and no gi.

Fantastic experience: Had a great time dropping in for some training, drilling, and rolling while visiting Ottawa. Coach Joe and his students were welcoming and took great care of us. Good high level crew to work with and learn from. Clean environment. Highly recommend reaching out to Coach Joe if you are planning to be in Ottawa and want to have some BJJ fun. Thanks Coach Joe!

Fantastic experience: Great instructors and great members. Clean, and very welcoming to people of any skill level.

Fantastic experience: Cool place to drop in. Located on the 2nd floor overlooking a small parking lot. Surrounded by Pho places so if you like to eat Vietnamese food after rolling, you're in luck. The coach sets a calm and considerate tone for open mats so people don't go ham on each other (still means they're still some killers on the mat), perfect for strangers who just want friendly rolls on their travels.

Fantastic experience: Clean, friendly and high quality rolls! Stopped in for a weekend open mat and everyone was very welcoming!

Fantastic experience: I visited while traveling and had a great experience. The club was clean and the staff and members were very welcoming. I would 100 percent recommend training here if you live in Ottawa.

Fantastic experience: I was visiting Ottawa and went to train here. Great academy, great atmosphere. Highly recommended! I’m sure I’ll visit again once I’m back in Ottawa. Thank you for having me!

Fantastic experience: I spent some time in Ottawa for work and was fortunate enough to find De La Costa Academy's Open Mat (lab) drop-in class. The instructors/members are incredibly welcoming and professional. The skill level on display was extremely high, without any of the ego that can sometimes be found at gyms. I would highly recommend this gym to anyone interested in training bjj, or in Ottawa for a short time, and looking for a gym to visit.

Fantastic experience: Fantastic academy with a great culture and facilities. Stopped in here for an open mat while in town for the weekend, Joe was incredibly welcoming and hospitable. Everyone at the gym was friendly and are high quality athletes. Highly recommend this academy for anyone in the area. Thanks Joe!

Fantastic experience: I called ahead looking for a drop in session while I was in town. I was greeted by Joe on the phone who was super kind and inviting. He told us to drop in Saturday for the open mat and I am very happy we did. The studio is clean and the people were amazing. Joe greeted us at the door and made us feel welcome, even encouraging people to get some rolls in with the “fresh meat”. Everyone training was very helpful and adjusted their rolls for the experience of those they were rolling with. No egos in this gym just good vibes. Will definitely be dropping in next time I’m in Ottawa!

Fantastic experience: Can't express how much I appreciate the gym and respect the coach here, a place that would make you love BJJ more! People here are nice and also very technical, you can get lots of rolls through open mat with people from different levels and therefore work on objectives you want. The class design here is also very unique, from street BJJ to competition class which fits people with different goals either you take BJJ as a sport or want to build self defense. As a visitor to our gym I definitely feel welcomed and would recommend to anyone who wants to find a gym in Ottawa.

Fantastic experience: I dropped in here while on a work trip. It was a very welcoming atmosphere and I had great rolls. Recommend the open mat I went to!

Fantastic experience: I visited De La Costa while in town for work. Excellent experience! Very welcoming, clean gym and knowledgable coaching. I would definitely recommend.

Fantastic experience: I came into town from out of province and was looking for a weekend drop in. De La Costa was recommended several times. Had a great drop in session at the Saturday open mat. Everyone was friendly / welcoming and the Jiu Jitsu was great. I look forward to my next drop in! DS

Fantastic experience: Great gym with great instructors and a very friendly vibe 10/10!

Fantastic experience: Very welcoming academy. Amazing training.

Fantastic experience: Fantastic BJJ gym!! clean, great instructors and incredibly welcoming. Whether you’re training in Ottawa or just stopping by, I highly suggest checking De La Costa Academy out! Video review on my instagram @heykenners!

Fantastic experience: A very friendly and welcoming gym. I was visiting from the UK for the week and felt right at home. Thanks Joe and the team for all the lasso guard training and rolls.

Fantastic experience: I was visiting from out of town and just kept having the funnest rolls. Everyone wa technical but also considerate of injuries or if you were practicing something specific. It was a great first impression, will definitely visit again the next time I'm in Ottawa.

Fantastic experience: Awesome gym! I was in Ottawa for a couple of days and Joe was kind enough to allow me to train. I felt very welcomed, learned a ton, and enjoyed the overall vibe. Hope to be back sometime soon!

Fantastic experience: Been coming here for two years, and started BJJ under Joe as a fresh white belt. The gym has active competitors, and the culture is very much learning centric. It's a great community, both socially and for training. Cross training is encouraged, and while anyone can drop in whenever the Saturday morning open mat seems to attract lots of non-regulars, which is awesome.

Fantastic experience: When I was looking to start I had anticipated trying out a few academies before settling on one. I was welcomed onto the mats with open arms by an incredibly friendly team of people, and haven't left two years later. As others have mentioned, DLC has something to offer everyone. There's space on the mat for people training to compete regularly, hobbyists juggling BJJ with life, folks returning to the sport from a long time away, and those who are taking their first steps to being more physically active. The team has been taught to be controlled, to prioritize technique, and to be humble on the mats. That really shows in the diversity of the team training here and how they interact. Folks of all levels regularly train with one another, and senior belts are always willing to roll, to mentor, and to take a turn at teaching the techniques they've honed. Coupled with open mats that always welcome BJJ practitioners from other gyms and visitors from afar, DLC has a strong culture of experimentation, learning, and mutual support. In a sport that can sometimes veer overly aggressive and hyper competitive, DLC is relaxed, respectful, committed to excellence, and recognizes that this sport can be and should be fun. I don't know if I would have really started nor stuck with BJJ as long as I have if not for the people here, and I've been lucky to make this place a second home. DLC has something special, and whether you are in Ottawa for a visit or for a while, I can't recommend this place enough.

Fantastic experience: Highly qualified coaches, very friendly atmosphere for hobbies and competitors. I’ve been training at De La Costa since they opened, and I’m very satisfied and grateful to be part of their team

Fantastic experience: Awesome place to train in bjj!! Highly recommended!!

Fantastic experience: Amazing place to train, great coaches and training partners! Highly recommend.

Fantastic experience: Amazing place to train. Whether you're looking for high level training partners or great instruction, this is the place!

Fantastic experience: Amazing instructors and welcoming environment! Great variety of classes for all levels.

Fantastic experience: Awesome gym. Joe the owner has built an amazing and unique culture here; even the white belts are really cerebral and committed to actually understanding the mechanics behind what they're doing. People actually like each other outside the gym too. The lack of ego is great, instruction gets rotated through SMEs of their respective aspects of the grappling game (including wrestling class with a proper wrestling coach!!! who understands BJJ!!! Too many BJJ gyms have wrestling classes run by a jiu jitsu dude who has never wrestled before, or a pure wrestler who doesn't think about adjusting for submissions). Great diversity to meet your goals whatever they are. Looking for hard rolls to keep you honest for competition? You got it. Looking to just train for fun with safety as a priority? You got that too. Case in point: Before joining DLC, as a scrawnier woman who's been injured a lot by meathead white belts at other clubs, I started to avoid rolling with white/blue belt men bigger than me and almost quit jiu jitsu because, well, that's most people in most BJJ clubs lol. De La Costa is the only gym in the world I feel 100% safe rolling with white belts who outweigh me by up to 100lb, because they actually use skill and know how to adjust their strength appropriately. The low student turnover rate and the high participation of women here is a true testament to a healthy gym culture. If you're thinking about it, give er a try.

Fantastic experience: Very friendly bjj gym for people of any skill level and any age. Everyone there is easy to talk to. Joining has been one of the best things I've ever done. Great for the mind, body and confidence.

Fantastic experience: Friend of mine and myself visited from out of Town. Great people, very knowledgeable.

Fantastic experience: Such a good place I had to go back and leave a review, haven’t been back in months but can’t forget the experience

Fantastic experience: I did a Saturday drop in/open mat and it was a welcoming, fun and challenging experience. The team was friendly and talented and I had some excellent rolls. Super clean and comfortable facility. Highly recommended!

Fantastic experience: This gym is my happy place. Very knowledgeable instructors and great training partners. Good gym for any level bjj practitioner. Whether you want to compete or simply practice the sport you love, this is the best gym to join. Everyone's ego is left at the door and all help each other out through their BJJ journey.

Fantastic experience: Great coaches and great community. If you’re thinking about trying out Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, you won’t find a better place to train in Ottawa.

Fantastic experience: Excelente academia. BJJ de verdade, numa infra ideal e ambiente super agradável. Fizemos eu e meu filho e ambos gostamos muito. Recomendo demais.

Fantastic experience: Had a great time training at De la Costa academy. Everyone was extremely welcoming. Felt like i had been training there for ages. You can find it all here from flow rolls to competitive rounds. Joe was awesome. Thanks so much for having me guys. Oss

Fantastic experience: Awesome BJJ club, easy to get to and lots of great training to be had!

Fantastic experience: Great facility with a wonderful group of talented BJJ instructors and students. Highly recommend for both knowledge and community.

Fantastic experience: I started training around 2 months ago and I absolutely love this academy. I am definitely going back once I find the time again. I was a total newbie to this sport, but got used to the training quickly thanks to the people there and the coach who takes his time answering your questions, helping you improve and making sure everyone understands what they have to do. This place is so underrated and needs more recognition for the quality of training!

Fantastic experience: Dropped in for Saturday open mat while visiting from out of town. Very clean and the owner was very friendly. Lots of talented and friendly folks to roll with. Wil definitely be back!

Fantastic experience: Great school! Great coaches! Great training! Feeling welcome to train even if not from the neighborhood… please keep up the great dojo culture!

Fantastic experience: Got to train here while I was in the area for work. Super solid group of guys & got some very competitive sparring in. Thanks again & can’t wait to be back!

Fantastic experience: I’ve been coming to De La Costa Academy for a month now and it’s been a consistently great experience. From my very first day Joe and Jesse have been so friendly and inclusive too me and I’m so glad I signed up!

Fantastic experience: Great atmosphere! Joe and Jesse are highly knowledgeable, very welcoming and highly positive. Within minutes I was welcomed and felt at home in this great club! I'll be back there whenever I'm in Ottawa. Osssss

Fantastic experience: Stoped in to train during a recent trip to Ottawa Profesor was quick to welcome me, great people, super technical jiu-jitsu, beautiful clean gym, I will definitely be back next time im in town! Thanks

Fantastic experience: I attended De La Costa Academy from June-October of 2022. It was my first experience with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and my first experience with martial arts in about 10 years. So I was a very fresh white belt! Coach Joe makes his academy a welcoming and safe place for newcomers. His beginner BJJ/self-defense classes are the perfect introduction to the sport and there is an environment of cooperation and learning that is essential for the safe practice of combat sports. Joe starts you off with instruction and drilling, which is what a beginner should start with. You don't have to worry about being thrown into any kind of gauntlet as a fresh white belt and Joe is good about reminding everyone of how to drill without hurting your partner. I feel grateful that I got my start in BJJ at De La Costa, because I may have had a bad experience somewhere else that could have turned me off the sport that I now know and love! If you are considering attending this gym as a beginner (or as a more experienced BJJ practicioner) I would highly recommend it. I have been to multiple BJJ academies now and if I didn't move away from Ottawa, I would have stayed with De La Costa! In summary: - Friendly, cooperative, peer-learning vibe. - Great instruction. - Very welcoming to newcomers. - Good free trial and fair pricing for the quality of instruction. - Clean and safe space.

Fantastic experience: Thank You De LA Costa Academy.

Fantastic experience: Excellent experience with this gym. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly with me(as a student from a different gym in Kingston) I was super impressed with their drop in policy and how, instead of charging a fee, they ask for a donation that goes towards an at risk youth program.... truly an amazing initiative! 5 stars... I'll be back whenever I visit Ottawa!

Fantastic experience: best place for treining

Fantastic experience: BJJ is a sport where you get out what you put in. Whether you do it for exercise / weight loss, self-defence, or just for the fun of it, everything is amplified by the effort you're willing to put in on the mats. Thankfully, the environment and people at DLC make it incredibly easy to want to leave it all at the gym every day. From the coaches to the students, everyone is welcoming and helpful whether its your first time on the mats or if you're preparing for Worlds. The facility is excellent and well looked after, the coaches are knowledgeable and experienced, and they've cultivated an environment of mutual respect so that no matter who you are or what belt you wear, every time you walk up the stairs is easy and guaranteed to be worth the effort.

Fantastic experience: DLC BJJ is easily one of the most friendly, well run, and open minded schools in the area. I've been training with many of the guys for well over 10+ years and I wholeheartedly recommend DLC to anyone I meet. It's got a great, friendly atmosphere that is well suited to someone of any skill level.

Fantastic experience: Absolutely the best jiujitsu club in Ottawa! Friendly, high level jiujitsu, great atmosphere. Thanks Joe and Damien for having me while I’m in town!

Fantastic experience: Highly recommend this academy. These people are amazing and the vibe is relaxed and friendly feels like a family here and it's evident as soon as you step in. For me jiu-jitsu is about friends and family and here will not only find that but also a high level of bjj and Highly competent coaches. This is probably the easiest review I've ever wrote. Guillaume deCotret

Fantastic experience: It’s always hard to to walk into a new gym, no matter how much experience you have. When I first walked into De La Costa, I was immediately welcomed by the Head Instructor Joe. He immediately took the time to get to know me and learn about my goals for for jiu jitsu as a fresh white belt. From my first tournament win, to my first tournament loss, Joe was there to help me and coach me through it. Whether you’re looking for self defence, jiu jitsu, exercise, or just looking to roll while you’re in town, this is a must visit gym. The people are fantastic and welcoming. The gym is clean, start of the art, and full of passionate people. No matter your goals, or experience, the team at De La Costa is there to support you. Stop by and see for yourself !

Fantastic experience: I went for an open mat when I was in ottawa, Joe is great and this gym has a good vibe! I really enjoyed the free roll!

Fantastic experience: Did a drop-in. The vibe was friendly, rolls were good and generally technical. Excited to come back again.

Fantastic experience: gym full of killers! was a pleasure training with everyone. great rolls!

Fantastic experience: I moved to Ottawa last fall and was eager to get back on the mats after taking a forced time-off due to the pandemic. A quick search brought up this gym, and after one short visit I knew I had found a great place. Coach Joe Neurauter is very proud of his gym, and it is easy to see why. Aside from the excellent location, the spacious white mats are spotless. The atmosphere is very friendly and welcoming, but the best of all is the high quality of the instruction – Joe gives very detailed breakdowns of every new move, and remains attentive to point out mistakes and address them, making sure each one of his students is learning. From brand-new beginners to seasoned veterans, the student pool is very deep (including different body sizes, male and female, young and old), so you’re guaranteed to find good partners to roll, flow, drill moves and find new ways to learn. I am happy to recommend this place to anyone looking to get started on their BJJ journey or continue their training. Check out De La Costa academy and you will not regret it.

Fantastic experience: After training combat sports for over 10 years, I chose DLC as it fulfills ALL the crucial criterias of a BJJ gym: >Highly competent coaches >Training partners of all levels >Growth and competition mindset >Safe & clean environment And most importantly a friendly athmosphere!!

Fantastic experience: Since moving (and consequently leaving my old BJJ Academy) I've had the chance to drop in to a number of schools in different cities while travelling around and figuring out the next place to settle. De La Costa was the first place I tried in Ottawa and I can't think of a reason why I would go somewhere else when I'm here. The academy itself is clean and spacious. Joe ran a truly excellent beginners class and the level of instruction for the advance class was top notch as well. Atmosphere in a BJJ academy comes from the top, and Joe clearly cares about the wellbeing of his students. He encourages them to take care of each other and to welcome new students and visitors. Whether you are an experienced practitioner looking for a new home or someone who has never trained and is looking to try it out, you'll find a welcoming environment with top class instruction at De La Costa.

Fantastic experience: Joe is a really great teacher and very understanding about things. The team is super welcoming. It's a wonderful atmosphere to train in.

Fantastic experience: Best BJJ club in Ottawa. Whenever I'm in town, this is the place I prefer. Everyone is super technical, which means skilled, successful and safe. If you're in Ottawa and want your jiu jitsu to flow like jazz, train here. -- Alex (black belt)

Fantastic experience: I stopped by only for a couple of sessions, but Joe and the rest of the squad treated me like family who's been there since the beginning. The environment is quite spacious and kept very clean; every fellow practitioner was respectful and incredibly passionate about the art of BJJ. Simply a wonderful place to train and enjoy the journey!

Fantastic experience: Coach Joe is a great teacher and fosters a very comfortable and welcoming environment. I would highly recommend it for anyone looking to get into BJJ

Fantastic experience: My experience with Joe and the De La Costa Academy has been really incredible so far. Joe and his team are so welcoming and warm, It feels like family! I highly highly recommend De La Costa Acadamy to anyone looking to study self defense or compete. Joe is a very patience and knowledgeable teacher. The classes are taught with great detail and understanding of BJJ and the atmosphere is really conducive to learning. I've been having such a great time! I only wish I found this gym sooner!

Fantastic experience: Great place to train bjj very good kevel of jiu jitsu and amazing people. Highly recommand.

Fantastic experience: I have been training at DLC for three years now. The mats are always spotless and the gym is a safe, friendly and comfortable environment for people of all genders. Joe ensures that the main focus is on safety and being a good partner. As a woman, I feel comfortable rolling with anyone in the gym. Joe prioritizes personal growth in training and each person's knowledge is seen as valuable.

Fantastic experience: De La Costa Academy has been an amazing experience thus far. Coach Joe does a great job at explaining the movements, making everybody feel welcomed & giving each member their own piece of advice. I am very excited to continue practicing at the Academy in the years to come & look forward to becoming a dominate BJJ competitor in the near future. I highly recommend anyone looking to learn self defense or to start a new sport or to simply get in shape, that they reach out to Joe & give De La Costa a chance.

Fantastic experience: De La Costa is a fantastic gym run by the very dedicated Joe Neurater. Very big group of diverse training partners of all skill levels with a solid program for beginners and plenty of advanced students to roll with. Recommend to anyone in the Ottawa area.

Fantastic experience: Great academy with great people to train with. I joined De La Costa last year under Joe a recognized IBBJF black belt. He is an amazing coach with great skills in BJJ. He has changed my BJJ game for sure. The gym is super clean and everyone is friendly. I felt at home with this school instantly. If you want the best training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu in the nations Capital. I would definitely recommend this school.

Fantastic experience: Excellent instruction and atmosphere. Clean and friendly. As a 2nd degree black belt, I highly recommend.

Fantastic experience: As a member of a different school, my membership is suspended due to the pandemic, I needed a place to train so I could keep learning. I am a beginner. I just wanted to take the time to write this review because I appreciate businesses like this. The instruction is absolutely great and the style of BJJ here varies with options for both beginners and advanced students. Being a beginner myself, I was welcomed by the instructor and the students and they were patient with my mistakes, and taught me how I can correct them. BJJ is a deep art with so much information and I hope it continues to thrive despite the closures and lockdowns. This school offers a very good evening schedule with back to back classes and an incredible group of people.

Fantastic experience: Great BJJ gym, great IBJJF black belt instructor, clean, welcoming. Definitely recommend!

Fantastic experience: I'm not training at DLC anymore, but that's entirely a consequence of geography. I've trained in a bunch of different spots in Ontario and in Europe under a variety of different black belts. Prof. Joe is easily the best head coach I've ever had. His curriculum and teaching style are consistent and enjoyable. It rewards consistency but doesn't punish absence either, a tough balance to strike. It also helps in building your game around a system, rather than individual submissions or sweeps. There's synergy, there's drill and practice, and you come out of 4-6 weeks feeling like you can actually deploy something effectively when you roll. The gym is spotless (has a really futuristic chalet vibe with the wood and white mats), the people are great (they're also low key assassins on the mats), and Joe is one of the most approachable and friendly coaches I've ever met. Whether you're new to the sport, looking for a change of gyms, or new to Ottawa like I was - DLC is a great place to train. Miss them a lot - hope to be back sooner than later.

Fantastic experience: Great place to train. super clean .

Fantastic experience: Amazing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy with a friendly atmosphere. Joe's an incredible coach and his dedication is unquestionable. The location is perfect and the facility is always clean. Wether you're a seasoned BJJ athlete/competitor or hobbyist, looking for self-defense or fitness, De La Costa is THE place to go. Joe's teaching will 110% help you step up your game. Not to forget the amazing women's crew that we have and the fun kid's program.

Fantastic experience: Great academy in the heart of downtown, from fresh new white belts, fierce girls team and seasoned competitors of different belt colors, this is the most welcoming gym in Ottawa, doors are always open for people from any gym or affiliation. The instruction is very detailed and real Brazilian Jiu Jitsu taught by an IBJJF black belt. It's also always clean and has all white mats and walls and brand new bathrooms and changing rooms with showers for Males and Females.

Fantastic experience: Great academy. Moved to Ottawa from Australia and Joe and his students welcomed me with open arms. Nothing more I could ask for

Fantastic experience: Been a student of Joe’s for close to three years and the dedication he shows for helping others is incredible no matter what age, gender, skill level, etc. Now at a great new location with a team of students eager to learn. I could not recommend more as I’m a very satisfied customer.

Fantastic experience: Having trained with the head instructor going back to the the early 2000's I can honestly say there in know very few people as dedicated to thier craft as Joe. Bjj classes for everyone from kids to adults delacosta is defintely your best choice for martial arts in the Ottawa region

Fantastic experience: Excellent instruction in a positive atmosphere. Great place to train!