Vandry Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Trained at Vandry’s for a couple of years when I first moved to Austin. Saw horrible injuries, and no restraint of out of control aggressiveness from the instructors. Win at any cost attitude was encouraged along with an «everybody else sucks» attitude. Students who didn’t «get with the plan» were ostracized and denied promotion. I finally woke up to the reality and found a far better place to train.

I came to Austin July of ’14 with a Blue Belt from a great RCJ affiliate in Fort Worth Professor Marcos Santos. Vandry BJJ was a must, a 30 plus yr practitioner of the art and with a great lineage this was what I would now call home. I train at least three days a week as does my 8 year old daughter. The environment is welcoming with its quirks and we have made great friendships. Their is a number of Gyms in the surrounding area and am sure that most have a great program but for me and what I want out of my BJJ experience Vandry BJJ is the place to be. In closing wether you decide to train at Vandry’s or any of the great gyms in the area do your research and find a place you feel comfortable at. Keep training BJJ changes lives. Oss.

Not safe for children under 12. They sometimes allow considerably larger kids roll with younger smaller kids. Young kids don’t know and aren’t trained sufficiently how important it is to tap out, and some of the older kids don’t know what damage they might be doing. Almost saw a kids neck get broken while the master wasn’t even paying attention little kids chin was already twisted to the shoulder and the older boy kept twisting because there was no tapout. Parent intervened and the owner got mad at the PARENT. I took my kid out. He complained about contract and all but finally accepted.
Also, place has odor or cooking oil from chinese restaurant next door and is one of the dirtier dojos around.
But if you’re an adult, I think the trainers there are top notch.

I have trained at many BJJ schools around the world. Rio to LA to here in Austin — Vandry’s is the best in Austin let alone leading in the USA. Sheer technique alone is unmatched. William and his team of Black Belts offer consistent and superior instruction.
Many schools simply practice rolling around and basic movements.
What is taught drilled and applied at Vandry’s is one of the few true representations of Brazilian JJ.
It is rare to find such a great school.
Jump on it

When I decided to get back into the martial arts after a long layoff, I was told point blank that I needed to train at Vandry BJJ. I was originally attracted to the variety of classes because I wanted to train in Muay Thai kickboxing, as well as Jiu-​Jitsu and because I wanted to introduce my shy 10 year old daughter to a martial art. But variety is only one strength of the Vandry academy.
The best part of training at Vandry is Professor Vandry and the people he surrounds himself with. The culture is both supportive and friendly, despite the fact that most students are blue belts or above (and thus completely capable of tearing my white-​belted, 42 year old body limb from limb). But, this is not the place for someone with a mere passing interest. They are not casual about their sport, and every student there is dedicated to preserving the standard of quality that professor Vandry has set. If you want the most technical training in Austin, this is the place to be. Be warned though! This will be a humbling experience, even for people with past experience in the martial arts. I have to say though, I feel much stronger and more than capable of defending myself after just 6 months.
The other positive aspect of the academy has been the kids program. I must have been crazy to think that my daughter, for whom soccer had been too rough, would make it past the first day. She has many strengths, but toughness, confidence, and athleticism were not at the top of the list. Somehow, in the first class at Vandry, a change started to happen. Maybe she felt empowered, was curious about something new, or just wanted to make some new friends. She’s been training for 6 months now and shows no signs of losing interest. What is really amazing is her personal growth! The other day, she battled another little boy on the mat for several minutes, back and forth, with neither wanting to give an inch to the other. I was so proud of the guts and determination she displayed. The Vandry academy has made an enormous impact on her and I will be forever grateful.

Jiu Jitsu for kids? I was a bit skeptical before I enrolled my son. So, I watched the first lesson and waited for the after-​talk. It’s now been 3 months since he joined – My Son Loves it!
I cannot say enough positive things about Vandry Jiu Jitsu. The coaches and professor Vandry are truly gifted instructors of this wonderful art.
Now, I need to work out before my son goes knee-​on-​belly and then North/​South on me… :)
I recommend Vandry to all my friends!

Okay, so first of all, I’ve been spoiled in the past with jiu jitsu schools. I trained as a total beginner in Oklahoma at a school called Titan Martial Arts, and then trained at HBJJ in Los Angeles, under Shawn Williams and Sean Patrick Flanery, where I got my blue belt. And both of those places have great instructors, some of whom are world class competitors, and some who are not, but are still great teachers.
I’m not a phenom, a seasoned competitor or high ranking student, but I work hard, and I’m developing. So what I look for when I try out a jiu jitsu place is an open, honest, safe, helpful environment from moment one. I expect to be welcomed, and I expect the focus to be on me. I’m a prospective client, and there are many schools that I could train at if I want to. Any school worth its salt shoud offer the first class for free, and should have the attitude that you will sign up only if you are sure that’s what YOU want to do to meet YOUR goals.
I didn’t get that at Vandry. I got no greeting, a kid at the desk who didn’t know anything, and once I spoke with William (it’s pronounced Vaundry), I got a full of himself attitude, and a defensive feel when I asked questions about class prices, and lengths. He has recently removed his rates from his website, because they are much higher now. (I believe it’s now $ 160 unlimited, down to like $ 110 for 3/​wk, lowest rate is like 1/​wk for around $ 70.) Not competitive for Austin rates. In a recession, that’s not good, in my oppinion. He also critiqued the way I have trained in the past – «If you’re training 2 or 2 ½ hours, you’re way overtraining.» (You’re paying high rates for only a one hour class at Vandry with class only 5 days, with only one day of open mat.) Look for a school that allows you at least some time to do positional training or open training every day after you learn a lesson.
I would have asked for a free class anyway, to compare with other local schools, since I’m new to Austin, but I felt I had already gotten the info I needed. I know from Vandry’s resume that he has been a top level competitor himself in jiu jitsu, and that he trained under one of the Machado’s, but I was not impressed by what his school had to offer at my first visit. I’ve decided to train elsewhere in Austin, even though it’s a longer drive. He may have a great school, with great competitors, but the rates and lack of openness drove me away before I stepped on a mat.
Also, there is only a small window for parents to watch through during the kids class. Strange, and the first time I’ve seen anything like that at a BJJ school.

Pros: William Vandry is great on the mats. Nice facility, good location, good people training under him. He absolutely positively knows the subject matter and is capable of instructing to a high level.
Cons: Don’t sign a contract, rules and class schedules are subject to change and you won’t get a refund if you can’t make it to the new times. Also, if you’re a beginner, you might not get the attention from William that you’d like. If you’re a chick, you might get attention you don’t like… or comments… unprofessional comments… Some favoritism observed, as well.