AdultsAdult BJJ
Ages 14+ • All levels
Authentic Carlson Gracie-lineage Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for adults, with beginner-friendly classes, clear instruction and attention to detail.
from $169/monthExplore
The Father of BJJ in Canada · Carlson Gracie lineage
Authentic Carlson Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Learn from Canada's only 9th-degree red belt.
Train in the lineage of Grand Master Marcus Soares, the first black belt to teach and open a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy in Canada. A direct student of Carlson Gracie, Marcus has spent nearly 30 years building authentic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu across Greater Vancouver. Whether you're an adult or child, beginner or experienced practitioner, you'll learn from a proven curriculum rooted in one of the art's most respected lineages.
Start Your 2-Week Trial – $29 Ready to get started? Reserve your spot online.
Ask a Question / Get InformationWe'd be happy to help you choose the right program.
Two weeks of unlimited classes · No experience needed · 604-725-9797
5-star rated on Google
The Father of BJJ in CanadaDirect Carlson Gracie lineageCanada's only 9th-degree red beltAs featured on CBC
As seen in & affiliated with
CBCLangley Advance TimesCarlson Gracie First GenerationIBJJF Registered
Why families choose us
Why families choose Marcus Soares BJJ
Authentic instruction, a welcoming room, and a real path to progress — for the whole family.
- Canada's only 9th-degree red belt
- Kids, teens and adults
- Three Lower Mainland locations
- Beginner-friendly — no experience needed
- Competition optional
- 5-star rated on Google
Why train here
What You'll Find on the Mats
Quality instruction, a welcoming atmosphere, and the heart of a family. Three clubs, one team. We take training seriously, and we take care of beginners.
Clear instruction
Our teaching follows a proven pedagogical progression that makes complex techniques easier to understand. Ask questions, explore scenarios and build a deeper understanding of the art.
Confidence & discipline
Training that develops focus, resilience, confidence and discipline — on and off the mats.
Beginner-friendly
No experience necessary. Most students start with little or no training and quickly feel part of the team.
All ages welcome
Programs for children, teens and adults at every experience level.
50+
Years on the mats
3
Greater Vancouver locations
3,000+
Students trained
Canada's only
Grand Master
9th-degree red belt
The legacy
Learned Directly from Carlson Gracie
Marcus Soares began training under Carlson Gracie in 1970 in Rio de Janeiro. More than 50 years later, that same philosophy of pressure, control, fundamentals, and teamwork continues to shape every class we teach.
- Direct student of Carlson Gracie since 1970
- Authentic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — not a franchise curriculum
- Three academies. One team. Train at all locations.
- A welcoming, ego-free culture where beginners thrive
Programs
Find the right class for you
Two programs, built around the same authentic curriculum — one for adults, one for kids.
Adults
KidsKids BJJ
Ages 6–13 • Grouped by age
Confidence, discipline and real Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu taught in a structured, supportive environment. Students develop skills on the mats while building focus, respect and resilience.
from $139/monthExplore
KidsNow in Maple Ridge · Langley from September 2026Lil Tots BJJ
Ages 4–5 • Beginner
Confidence, coordination and fun through age-appropriate Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Designed to build listening skills, focus and body awareness in a positive environment.
from $119/monthJoin the interest list
How it works
Your first two weeks
Starting is easier than you think. Here is exactly how your $29 trial unfolds.
Book your trial
Register for your $29 two-week trial online. We'll help you choose the right class and location to get started.
Come and train
Arrive a few minutes early in comfortable athletic clothing. We'll provide a loaner gi and guide you through your first class.
Learn the fundamentals
Learn the fundamentals of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in a welcoming, beginner-friendly environment. No experience required.
Find the right program
Train at any of our three locations during your trial. Experience the classes, meet the team, and find the program that's the best fit for you.
Locations
Three academies across Greater Vancouver
Train at the location that's most convenient for you while learning the same authentic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu across all three academies.
Downtown / Granville
Downtown Vancouver
910 Richards St #201, Vancouver, BC V6B 3C1
Convenient downtown location with adult and kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes.
View this academy
Langley City
Langley
Unit 103 – 20691 Langley Bypass, Langley, BC V3A 5E8
The original Marcus Soares academy, serving Langley families for decades.
View this academy
Haney / West Central
Maple Ridge
11924 207th Street, Maple Ridge, BC V2X 1X7
A friendly, family-focused academy with programs for children, teens and adults.
View this academyFrom our community
What members say
An absolute must-visit for any serious BJJ practitioner. Training under Mr. Soares is an incredible experience — as a living legend and the highest-ranked Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner in Canada, his instruction is top-tier and no-nonsense. Walking into the Vancouver school feels like stepping into a mini-museum dedicated to the Carlson Gracie style.
Our son Bennett is the youngest member here, having started at just 4 years old, and we couldn't be happier. The coaches are incredibly patient, supportive and skilled at working with young children while teaching real discipline, confidence and technique. Highly recommend to any parent looking for an outstanding program for their child!
We are very fortunate to have the accessibility of a true Master in jiu-jitsu. Marcus' experience comes directly from the roots of this martial art, and his old-school style stands the test of time in competition. We're more than a team, we're a family — and with three locations, there is a school near you.
We've been training with Marcus, Dana and Nav for a couple of years and without a doubt, my son has built more confidence, respect and personal awareness than he ever would without it. The coaches are fantastic and the parents are all wonderful. The only grandmaster, 9th-degree red belt in Canada — who else do you want to learn from!?
Life at Marcus Soares BJJ
Real Training. Real People. Real Community.
A glimpse of academy life — drills, gradings, kids' classes and the people who make it a family.
Weekly schedule
Training that fits real life
Morning, afternoon and evening classes, seven days a week. Pick your academy for its full timetable.
Press
Marcus Soares featured in the Langley Advance Times
Our Langley academy and Grand Master Marcus Soares were profiled by the Langley Advance Times — a look at authentic jiu-jitsu in the community.
3 min read
Press
Marcus Soares BJJ Vancouver — featured on CBC
CBC told the story of how Marcus Soares helped bring authentic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to Canada. Watch the feature and read the background.
4 min read
Heritage
Why lineage matters in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Lineage is not about ego — it is about the integrity of what you are taught. Here is why training under an authentic line changes your jiu-jitsu.
6 min read
Your first step
Start your 2-week trial for just $29
Two weeks of unlimited classes. No experience needed. No pressure.
Start Your 2-Week Trial – $29 Ready to get started? Reserve your spot online.
Ask a Question / Get InformationWe'd be happy to help you choose the right program.
Prefer to talk? Call 604-725-9797.
5-star rated on Google