Speakeasy Jiu-Jitsu & Wrestling
About
Speakeasy Jiu-Jitsu & Wrestling on Merrimon Avenue
Speakeasy Jiu-Jitsu & Wrestling is one of Asheville's premier grappling academies, located on Merrimon Avenue in North Asheville with easy access from downtown, West Asheville, Weaverville, and the surrounding mountain communities. Head coach Colton Parsons is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Kurt Chase Patrick, with deep experience across wrestling, striking, and jiu-jitsu - a wrestling-plus-BJJ mix that is rare and gives the program a strong takedown game.
Kids Martial Arts Programs
The kids program is built around three core qualities the academy considers non-negotiable:
- Confidence (the willingness to engage)
- Fitness (the conditioning to perform)
- Resilience (the ability to lose a roll and come back hungrier)
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guard and submission curriculum
- Integrated wrestling drills - safe takedowns, sprawls, and positional transitions
What's Included
- Black belt head coach Colton Parsons under Kurt Chase Patrick
- Coaching team of Aaron Brasuell, Charmaine Mills, Ryan Rauh, and Chris Jackson
- Wrestling integrated into youth training, unusual for an Asheville grappling school
- Emphasis on respect for partners, consistent attendance, and technical focus
- Trial classes available; gi rentals can be arranged for first visits
Experience
The wrestling component is a major advantage for any student who might eventually move into wrestling or MMA, layering safe takedowns onto the guard and submission work that defines most BJJ schools. With several coaches across the week, kids hear multiple voices, and trial access lets families test the mat before committing.