Praia Kids
Praia Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, 1125 Victoria St Ste T, Ste T, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
About
Praia Kids is part of the Praia Summer Camp 2026 program, where kids take part in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, NoGi, Kickboxing, Strength & Conditioning, Muay Thai on pads only with no contact, fitness and agility games, team challenges, games, sparring in gi and NoGi, supervised free play, stretching, quiet activities, warm-ups, and other camp activities. Each day also includes check-in and warm-up games, a snack and water break, and a lunch break that is fully supervised.
• Ages: 3–13 years old
• Schedule: Praia Summer Camp 2026 Week 1 runs Monday–Friday, July 13–17, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, with optional after care from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM; Week 2 runs August 3–7, 2026
• Price: Praia Summer Camp 2026 pricing is $350 for a full week (9:00 AM–1:00 PM), $100 for a single day, 15% off siblings from the same household in the same week, and $75 per child for the weekly after care rate
Praia Kids is led by a team that includes Founder and Head Coach Professor Thiago Pierre, Professor Junior, Professor Andy Meneghetti, Sensei Gabriel Silva as Judo Head Coach and assistant coach for the kids’ jiu-jitsu program, and Coach Chase Duquette, a brown belt under Professor Thiago Pierre and instructor in beginner classes. Professor Thiago is a Checkmat Black Belt under Leo Vieira with over 20 years of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu experience, is an American Nationals No-Gi Champion, a No-Gi Worlds medalist, a UAEJJ LA Grand Slam Silver Medalist, has multiple IBJJF Open medals, and is a Certified Athletic Coach, Personal Trainer, and Strength & Conditioning Specialist. Professor Junior is a 3-time IBJJF World Champion (listed as 2-time IBJJF World Champion and IBJJF NoGi World Champion) and an IBJJF Pan American Champion, and Professor Andy is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under Mario Reis. Sensei Gabriel is the Judo Head Coach, an assistant coach for the kids’ jiu-jitsu program, and a CrossFit athlete and coach.
Praia BJJ was founded in 2019 and describes itself as Costa Mesa’s home for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and martial arts, with students ranging from 3-year-olds in the Baby Sharks program to experienced competitors training for IBJJF Worlds. The academy states that it was built on the belief that martial arts should be for everyone and describes itself as more than a gym, a family, with kids’ martial arts programs for ages 3 and up and adult programs for ages 14 and up. Praia BJJ offers over 30 classes per week, expert coaching for kids and adults in BJJ, Judo, and NoGi, and private one-on-one Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Kickboxing, and Strength & Conditioning classes for both kids and adults. The academy has a 5.0-star Google rating with over 90 Google reviews.
For Praia Summer Camp, families are told what to bring and wear: a packed lunch, a water bottle, and a small snack, with kids wearing a rashguard or T-shirt and workout or soccer shorts without pockets or zippers. A Praia Summer Camp T-shirt is included, uniforms (gis) are not included but are available for purchase, and fruits and water are provided daily, while the camp does not provide lunch. After care includes supervised free play, light games, stretching, and quiet activities. The program states that Muay Thai in camp is pads only with no contact, no prior martial arts experience is required for camp, and a Praia Summer Camp T-shirt is included for participants.
The academy notes that first classes are free, loaner gis are available if needed, all levels are welcome, and coaches will meet students where they are. Testimonials from parents and students describe experiences with kids and adults training together, coaching from Professor Thiago and his staff, and families who have participated in kids’ classes, beginner classes, and seminars with high-level professors.
Last updated April 4, 2026.
• Ages: 3–13 years old
• Schedule: Praia Summer Camp 2026 Week 1 runs Monday–Friday, July 13–17, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, with optional after care from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM; Week 2 runs August 3–7, 2026
• Price: Praia Summer Camp 2026 pricing is $350 for a full week (9:00 AM–1:00 PM), $100 for a single day, 15% off siblings from the same household in the same week, and $75 per child for the weekly after care rate
Praia Kids is led by a team that includes Founder and Head Coach Professor Thiago Pierre, Professor Junior, Professor Andy Meneghetti, Sensei Gabriel Silva as Judo Head Coach and assistant coach for the kids’ jiu-jitsu program, and Coach Chase Duquette, a brown belt under Professor Thiago Pierre and instructor in beginner classes. Professor Thiago is a Checkmat Black Belt under Leo Vieira with over 20 years of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu experience, is an American Nationals No-Gi Champion, a No-Gi Worlds medalist, a UAEJJ LA Grand Slam Silver Medalist, has multiple IBJJF Open medals, and is a Certified Athletic Coach, Personal Trainer, and Strength & Conditioning Specialist. Professor Junior is a 3-time IBJJF World Champion (listed as 2-time IBJJF World Champion and IBJJF NoGi World Champion) and an IBJJF Pan American Champion, and Professor Andy is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under Mario Reis. Sensei Gabriel is the Judo Head Coach, an assistant coach for the kids’ jiu-jitsu program, and a CrossFit athlete and coach.
Praia BJJ was founded in 2019 and describes itself as Costa Mesa’s home for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and martial arts, with students ranging from 3-year-olds in the Baby Sharks program to experienced competitors training for IBJJF Worlds. The academy states that it was built on the belief that martial arts should be for everyone and describes itself as more than a gym, a family, with kids’ martial arts programs for ages 3 and up and adult programs for ages 14 and up. Praia BJJ offers over 30 classes per week, expert coaching for kids and adults in BJJ, Judo, and NoGi, and private one-on-one Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Kickboxing, and Strength & Conditioning classes for both kids and adults. The academy has a 5.0-star Google rating with over 90 Google reviews.
For Praia Summer Camp, families are told what to bring and wear: a packed lunch, a water bottle, and a small snack, with kids wearing a rashguard or T-shirt and workout or soccer shorts without pockets or zippers. A Praia Summer Camp T-shirt is included, uniforms (gis) are not included but are available for purchase, and fruits and water are provided daily, while the camp does not provide lunch. After care includes supervised free play, light games, stretching, and quiet activities. The program states that Muay Thai in camp is pads only with no contact, no prior martial arts experience is required for camp, and a Praia Summer Camp T-shirt is included for participants.
The academy notes that first classes are free, loaner gis are available if needed, all levels are welcome, and coaches will meet students where they are. Testimonials from parents and students describe experiences with kids and adults training together, coaching from Professor Thiago and his staff, and families who have participated in kids’ classes, beginner classes, and seminars with high-level professors.
Last updated April 4, 2026.
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