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Pura Vida BJJ + Surf Presents...

Shawn Hammonds

Nick 'Chewy' Albin

6 Day Seminar January 21- 26 2026 Tamarindo, Costa Rica

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Proceeds benefitting The HeroKids Program

$1999 Early Bird Single occupancy King bed. $799 Training Only

6 days/ 5 nights Private Accommodations

Optional organized activities

Bring a companion and make it a vacation

Daily laundry service for training gear

Amazing Waterfall Excursion Included

Daily prepared breakfast (Upgrade package only)

Amazing weather

Custom Camp Shirt

Small group training

Full concierge service

Give back to the community

Beautiful beaches

Surfer

TAMARINDO

Spend the day lounging at the beach or pursuing the shops down the main drag. Tamarindo has something for everyone. Everything is just a short walk from your hotel.

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ACCOMMODATIONS

Our hotel partner Wyndham Tamarindo awaits your arrival. A short walk to the beach or center of town makes this oasis the perfect getaway. Everyone gets an Oceanview room with King or two twin beds. 

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HERO RETREATS

Hero Academy is a non-profit 501c3 that provides training to over 150 local kids free of charge in our beach town of Tamarindo. These retreats fund our non-profit program.

Meet Your Trainers

Shawn Hammonds - 3rd Degree Black Belt. Multiple time IBJJF Champion in the Mid South and Mid West. IBJJF Black Belt Masters Pan Am Champion (2012) IBJJF Black Belt World Masters Silver Medalist (2012) World Master Bronze Medalist (2016) (2018). Received his Black Belt in 2007.

Nick "Chewy" Albin - Renato Tavares Black Belt and high level competitor. Owner / Head Coach Derby City Martial Arts. Podcast Host and everyone's favorite BJJ YouTube personality.

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Train in Paradise

We handle everything for you. Once you arrive at the airport, you can watch your stress drift away. You can do as much or as little as you please. Daily planned activities and meals are all optional. Tamarindo is a tropical paradise and surf mecca. Make connections that last a lifetime and leave you dreaming about your next trip down.

  • World class surf destination
  • Beautiful beaches and weather
  • Zipline, Skydive, Rafting, Horseback Riding, Sailing and more

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Wednesday

  • 2:00PM - Check in at your hotel
  • 4:00PM - Sunset on the Beach at El Be Restaurant
  • 7:30PM - Meet and Greet at Hero Academy

Thursday

  • 8:00AM - Breakfast poolside with your fellow retreat goers
  • 9:30AM-10:30AM - Gi Session at Hero Academy
  • 12:00PM - Optional Lunch - Falafel Bar
  • 6:00PM-7:00PM - No Gi Session at Hero Academy
  • 8:00PM - Welcome Cocktail Party on the beach at Aqua Salada. Live Music and Fire Show

Friday

  • 8:00AM - Breakfast poolside with your fellow retreat goers
  • 9:30AM-10:30AM - Gi Session at Hero Academy
  • 12:00PM - Optional Lunch - Green Papaya
  • Optional Activity - ATV Adventure
  • 5:00PM-6:00PM - Meet the HeroKids and help coach
  • 6:30PM-7:30PM - No Gi Session at Hero Academy
  • 8:00PM - Optional group dinner - El Mercaditio

Saturday

  • 8:00AM - Breakfast poolside with your fellow retreat goers
  • 9:30-10:30AM - Gi session at Hero
  • 12:00PM - Optional lunch - Surf Shack
  • 6:30-7:30PM - No Gi session at Hero 
  • 8:00PM - Enjoy your evening

Sunday

  • 8:00AM - Breakfast poolside with your fellow retreat goers
  • 9:30-10:30AM - No Gi session at Hero
  • 12:00PM - Optional lunch - Little Lucha
  • 4:30-6:00PM - Sunset Gi hilltop session - Meet at Hero 
  • 7:30PM - Optional but suggested dinner - La Esquina

Monday

  • 8:00AM - Breakfast poolside with your fellow retreat goers
  • 9:30-11:30AM - Double No Gi session at Hero
  • 1:00PM - Optional Boat Cruise day

Tuesday

  • 8:00AM - Breakfast poolside with your fellow retreat goers
  • 9:30-10:30AM - Open mat 
  • 12:00PM - Check out - We will see you all again soon!
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STAY

Our hotel partner, Maravilla Estates is a brand new boutique property in the heart of town on a quiet side street. Walk to the beach, gym, restaurants and all Tamarindo has to offer. Stay a few extra days at our reduced rates or hop in a car and visit the nearby rainforests and volcanos. Whatever your desire, we can help you make it happen.

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What Past Attendies Are Saying

bjj student in costa rica

Reba Ann

3 Strip White Belt

'I've only been training for about a year but this retreat was perfect. Good mix of skill levels, great group of people and it was all just perfect'

Derek

Derek Bryan

Black Belt

'In my 10+ years of training, my trips to Hero Academy in Costa Rica are the highlights in this journey. Every trip I have had was incredible'

two men training

Gabe Meyer

Purple Belt

'I'd recommend this trip to anyone that does Jiu Jitsu. The instruction is always top notch. I go to about 5 seminars a year and Hero is the best'

Frequently Asked Questions

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