De La Costa Academy | Ottawa BJJ & Self Defense

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

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!

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

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