I set out for Orange County, California, to participate in the 2023 Erik Paulson Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Camp at the famed CSW Training Center. As someone passionate about martial arts and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, this was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. The plan was to connect with Coach Bob Burgee at the event. Coach Bob, a seasoned veteran of the CSW Association, holds the esteemed position of Technical Director. His contributions to the association are numerous, including managing website operations and recording and editing the video content that features on the CSW Public Student University. Affiliates will undoubtedly be familiar with the extensive database of video resources available across various curriculums that the CSW Association provides. With a decades-long career, Coach Bob has meticulously documented and edited these invaluable instructional videos, creating a digital trove of martial arts knowledge. It’s no exaggeration to say that the CSW Affiliate archive, thanks largely to Coach Bob’s relentless dedication, stands as one of the most comprehensive video archives available on the Internet.
We arrived in Orange County a day before the camp, only to learn that a Category Four Hurricane, Hillary, was barreling straight towards us. Talk about an unexpected twist! Hilary was the first tropical storm to hit Southern California in 84 years. But hey, what’s life without a bit of adventure, right? Despite the brewing storm, the turnout for the camp was impressive. Brazilian Jiiu-Jitsu and Catch Wrestling enthusiasts from all walks of life and multiple of our association affiliates from around the globe were in attendance. Each eager to learn from some of the best in the business.
The camp kicked off with a bang as Coach Javier Vazquez took the lead on the first day. Javier, a renowned figure in the BJJ world, introduced us to his unique philosophy for Jiu-Jitsu. He delved into some fascinating methods of controlling an opponent’s hands in various positions – a vital skill that can make or break a match. I found his approach innovative and offered a fresh perspective on strategically approaching the sport. Coach Vazquez, often called “Showtime,” earned his black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Rodrigo Medeiros in 2003. Javier is also a seasoned wrestler and a retired mixed martial artist, having made a name for himself in top-tier promotions such as KOTC, WEC, and the UFC.
But that was just the beginning. Next up was none other than Professor Erik Paulson, the man behind the event. Erik wasted no time getting into the meat of the session, covering a wide array of submission flows from multiple positions. I was astounded by the sheer amount of knowledge he imparted within a mere two-hour window.
If you’re unfamiliar with Professor Erik, he is a living legend in the martial arts world. He started his journey with Judo at age eight and went on to train in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under the Gracie family, learning from the likes of Rorion, Royce, and Rickson Gracie. His martial arts pedigree extends to Shoot Wrestling and Catch Wrestling, disciplines he learned from Yorinaga Nakamura and Billy Robinson, respectively. Erik is the founder of Combat Submission Wrestling (CSW) and STX Kickboxing. The CSW Training Center in Fullerton, California, is a hub for MMA fighters, with big names like Josh Barnett, Ken Shamrock, and Renato Sobral training under Erik’s guidance.
The second day of the camp was a rollercoaster, with 8th Degree Coral Belt Rigan Machado taking the stage. Rigan’s session revolved around the Berimbolo and its numerous variations. As someone who has struggled to master the Berimbolo, I found his instruction invaluable. Professor Erik returned for the second session, continuing his focus on wrestling, catch wrestling, and submission grappling.
Day three started with a special guest appearance by Kade Ruotolo, the ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion. As if the camp wasn’t already thrilling enough, Southern California experienced a magnitude 5.1 earthquake near Ojai on the final day. Kade kicked off his session with an engaging introduction to hand fighting and pummeling, transitioning smoothly into demonstrations of his favorite takedowns. After delving into these techniques, he shifted his focus to ground maneuvers, showcasing some of his preferred strategies for guard passing and advancing into a dominant position.
This event marked a significant milestone for us as it was one of our inaugural dual-purpose, public, and affiliate training events. Being part of our affiliate team comes with numerous benefits. Among them is the opportunity to attend coaching camps held throughout the year, all part of the affiliate program. The beauty of this arrangement is that once you’re part of the affiliate program, these camps have no additional fees. All participants need to do is get themselves to the location. Coach Erik has a particular reason for offering this structure. He values direct interaction with all of his affiliate instructors. Erik is deeply invested in each organization member’s personal and professional growth and prefers to be directly involved in fostering that development.
The 2023 Erik Paulson Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Camp was nothing short of an incredible journey,
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to every single person who played a role in making this event a resounding success. Your hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the martial arts community is deeply appreciated.
For those in the martial arts community seeking an organization that is more than just a membership – one that fosters a sense of family, provides unparalleled support in training, and offers resources to assist in the business aspects of the martial arts world – I wholeheartedly recommend the CSW organization. The association’s approach to helping martial artists transform into professional martial artists is proven and impactful.
With years of experience in nurturing and growing a robust team of martial artists, the CSW organization is ideally positioned to support you in achieving your goals in both martial arts and the business associated with it. If you share this vision of becoming a professional martial artist, please reach out to the CSW organization today.
The CSW Association stands out as an organization dedicated to fostering growth and excellence in the martial arts community. Its unique approach to training combines Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Catch Wrestling, and Combat Submission Wrestling, offering a comprehensive curriculum for martial artists seeking to expand their skills and techniques.
As the Association Director, I am proud to be part of an organization that prioritizes the personal development of each of its affiliates. We provide invaluable resources such as an extensive video archive, one-on-one interaction with renowned instructors, and access to coach camps throughout the year, all included in the affiliate program. Our association’s focus on creating a strong, supportive family and a solid team extends beyond martial arts training, assisting members in growing their businesses.
If you are a martial artist with a desire to become a professional or are simply looking to be part of a world-class organization, the CSW Association has what you need. For more information or to join our team, please feel free to contact me directly at: https://erikpaulson.com