Our Mission

Stonecoast Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is the first of its kind in the state of Maine. As a ‘Kids only’ martial arts school, we start kids as young as 4 on a lifelong journey of health and personal growth. We focus on fostering a sense of self, of belonging, of family, and of community. Each class provides additional stepping-stones necessary to move towards individual goals in both fitness and personal growth. No two classes are ever exactly the same; kids are constantly learning, growing, and putting new knowledge into practice.

Classes Available

Fundamental BJJ

Our Little War Elephant Program is specially designed for 4 to 6-year-olds. In each class, they will learn and participate in a variety of fun activities while at the same time getting physically fit.  There are 8 major skills that we focus on:
Focus - Team Work - Control - Balance - Coordination - Memory - Discipline - Fitness
In our War Elephant classes, we start diving into the Stonecoast BJJ curriculum. We focus on partner work and drilling. These classes are designed for any level of knowledge and ability.
In the years between 12 and 16, it is crucial to build a firm foundation of who you are and what you can accomplish. These classes are tailored for them, offering a level of physical and intellectual challenge with lots of positive reinforcement, fantastic mentors and peers all putting in the work. We believe that this program can affect the kind of adults they become.

NOGI WRESTLING AND TAKE DOWNS

In our Wrestling and No-Gi Takedowns classes, we combine the best techniques from wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to create a dynamic and effective training program. These classes are designed to be kid-friendly, providing a fun and engaging environment for young athletes to learn and excel in the art of takedowns and grappling.
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SCHEDULE A FREE TRIAL CLASS

We invite you to come to the gym and join in a class!

We have classes every day of the week for kids from 4-16.

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Meet the Coaches

Founder/Coach
Shaun Durfee, a dedicated athlete and experienced coach, has been deeply involved in sports and athletics throughout his life. Hailing from Texas, Shaun played football during his high school years before returning to Maine, where he engaged in rugby with the Portland Rugby Club. His journey in martial arts began in 2004 when he started training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under the mentorship of Jay Jack and Amanda Buckner at The Academy. Shaun's dedication to the sport was recognized when he earned his black belt in July 2015.
Over the past decade, Shaun has competed in MMA, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, showcasing his skills at various levels, including national and international competitions. His passion extends beyond competing, as he has been teaching both kids and adults in Jiu Jitsu for over 16 years. Shaun's dream of establishing a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school dedicated to children became a reality with Stonecoast, the Northeast's first kids-only BJJ facility. At Stonecoast, Shaun fosters a family-like environment, emphasizing sportsmanship and skill development among young enthusiasts.
Apart from his martial arts career, Shaun is also a devoted student of history and also a teacher, bringing his love for learning and educating to high school students. He thrives on challenging himself both physically and mentally, participating in various endurance events. Shaun resides in the Greater Portland area with his wife, Sarah, and son, Owen, where he continues to inspire and educate the next generation in both sports and academics.

HEAD INSTRUCTOR
Coach Carl Nguyen is a black belt under Jay Jack of the Academy. He began training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2007 and has immersed himself in the art ever since. With a passion for martial arts, he enjoys exploring different styles and their philosophies and believes martial arts is one of the greatest tools to help with self-expression and self-improvement.