Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for Pembroke Pines — Champion-Level Coaching, 35 Minutes East
Winners Jiu-Jitsu Academy serves serious Pembroke Pines students with a 2x World Cup Champion head coach about 35 minutes east in Sunny Isles Beach. We're honest about the drive — it's a real commitment — but for committed competitors, private-lesson clients, and families who specifically want world-class kids instruction, the families who make it tell us the trip is worth it.
Pembroke Pines sits roughly 35 miles west-northwest of us, and the drive is the honest reason to consider whether we're right for you. Off-peak you can do it in about 35 minutes via I-75 east, I-95 north, and the William Lehman Causeway. In rush hour, it pushes past 50. That math works for some Pembroke Pines families — and doesn't for others. We'd rather help you decide honestly than oversell.
The Pembroke Pines students we see fall into a few clear buckets. First: serious adult competitors who've tried Broward-county options and want a champion-level head coach as their primary instructor. Second: families with a competition-track kid who's out-leveled the local program — a 4-stripe-yellow 11-year-old who needs harder sparring partners and more structured coaching. Third: adults with prior martial arts experience (judo, wrestling, MMA) who want a serious head coach as a complement to their existing training. For all three, the 35-minute drive is structured into a routine.
For most Pembroke Pines families just starting in BJJ, we'd genuinely recommend starting at a closer western-Broward school to build the habit first. The cost of a 70-minute round trip becomes a friction that quietly ends consistency. If you do start with us, we'd suggest a lower-frequency, higher-intensity approach: one Saturday morning group class plus one weekday private. That structure gets you the world-champion coaching without breaking your week against the I-75 schedule.
Coach Jonatas Gurgel is a 2x IBJJF World Cup Champion (2004, 2005), 3x Pan American Champion, and 4x Brazilian National Champion. He has coached competitors to IBJJF podium finishes across age and weight divisions and runs our competition team personally. That pedigree is the specific reason Pembroke Pines students drive past closer options to train with us.
Address
17100 Collins Ave.
Suite 201
Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160
Hours
Mon–Fri 4:00–9:00 PM
Sat 9:30 AM–12:30 PM
Sun Closed
Contact
(786) 527-2462
Directions from Pembroke Pines
From Pembroke Pines: I-75 east to I-95 north, exit at William Lehman Causeway (NE 192nd Street) east to Collins Avenue, north to 17100 Collins (Suite 201). About 35 minutes off-peak, 50+ in heavy rush hour. The Saturday 10–11 AM window has the most predictable drive times.
Why Pembroke Pines residents choose Winners
World-champion head coach
Coach Jonatas Gurgel's competition résumé (2x World Cup, 3x Pan Am, 4x Brazilian National) is the specific reason Pembroke Pines students drive past closer options. If pedigree isn't the deciding factor for you, a closer Broward gym likely makes more sense.
Saturday-friendly schedule
Our Saturday 10–11 AM kids and 11 AM adult slots have the most predictable Pembroke Pines drive times — about 35 minutes door to door. Many Pembroke Pines families anchor their training around Saturday and supplement with one weekday class or a private.
Real competition team
For kids and adults on a competition track, we offer structured comp prep with a head coach who knows how IBJJF tournaments actually work — not a recreational program with occasional tournament outings. If your child has out-leveled the local program, this is what you're looking for.
Private lessons as a force multiplier
Many Pembroke Pines students use a hybrid model: one Saturday group class plus one weekday private. The private compresses several weeks of normal progression into a single high-density hour — efficient for families who can't justify the daily commute.
Programs for Pembroke Pines students
Jonatas Gurgel
2x World Cup Champion, 3x Pan American Champion, 4x Brazilian National Champion, and undefeated 5-0 professional MMA fighter. Every class at Winners — kids or adults — is led by Jonatas or coaches trained under his 20+ years of teaching experience.
Full bio & championship recordQuestions from Pembroke Pines residents
Is the drive from Pembroke Pines actually worth it?+
For some students, yes — for most casual beginners, no. Be honest with yourself about whether championship-level coaching is the specific differentiator you're seeking. If you'd be happy with any well-run BJJ academy, a closer Broward option will get you to the same place with less friction. If you specifically want a world-champion head coach, we're your closest option.
How long is the drive from Pembroke Pines?+
About 35 minutes off-peak via I-75 east → I-95 north → William Lehman Causeway. Plan for 50+ minutes in heavy rush hour. Saturdays have the most predictable times.
Should I start with private lessons or group classes?+
For Pembroke Pines students, the hybrid model works best: one weekly group class (usually Saturday) plus one private per week or every two weeks. The private accelerates your progress so the smaller group volume still produces real improvement.
My child has out-leveled their local kids BJJ program — is your program a step up?+
Often yes, especially for kids on a competition track. Our 8–12 group is structured, has stronger sparring partners across belt levels, and is run by coaches who actively prepare kids for IBJJF tournaments. We'd recommend a free trial so you can see the difference firsthand.
Do you have a competition team I can join?+
Yes. Our competition team trains alongside regular classes plus dedicated comp prep sessions in the weeks before major tournaments. Open to adults and kids who've been promoted past the introductory level.
Are there closer Winners-affiliated academies in Pembroke Pines?+
No — Winners Jiu-Jitsu Academy is a single location in Sunny Isles Beach. We're not a franchise, and we don't have a Pembroke Pines branch.
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