# Garth Taylor Jiu-Jitsu > Santa Cruz, United States ## Overview **Name:** Garth Taylor Jiu-Jitsu **Description:** Brazilian jiu-jitsu and martial arts academy on the west side of Santa Cruz, California, led by 5th-degree black belt Garth Taylor, the first North American black belt under Claudio França. Gi and no-gi classes for all levels, fundamentals for beginners, kids and teens programs, and Muay Thai kickboxing for adults and kids. **Status:** Active ## Contact Information **Address:** 403 Swift Street, Suite D Santa Cruz, CA 95060, United States **Phone:** +1 831-621-2339 **Email:** garthtaylorjj@gmail.com **Website:** https://www.garthtaylorjj.com **Social Media:** - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garthtaylorjj/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/garthtaylorjj ## Pricing ### Drop-in - Adult: $30/class **Free trial:** Yes (1 class) ## Instructors ### Garth Taylor - Black **Role:** Head Instructor **Bio:** Garth Taylor entered the world of martial arts through Tae Kwon Do, a sport/martial art he practiced in his younger days, after which he moved on to wrestling, competing throughout high school and college. He found out about Jiu Jitsu by seeing the very first UFC, watching Royce Gracie’s victories inside the octagon convinced Garth to try BJJ. At the time whenTaylorwatched the first UFC’s, he was coaching wrestling at a high school inSanta Cruz, and there were no Jiu Jitsu clubs where he lived. His first actual contact with a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt was at a Rickson Gracie workshop. Garth had a chance to roll with the BJJ legend which impressed him even more. In 1994 Garth sought out BJJ instruction and found it, but a few months later, Claudio França arrived inCaliforniaand Garth Taylor left his gym to go and jointFranca’s academy where he stayed until achieving his black belt on December 2000 (becoming the very first North American black belt under Master Claudio). Garth Taylor poured his heart and soul into his training, competing everywhere and against everyone, becoming one of the most successful American BJJ competitors of his generation. He also became an assistant instructor for Claudio Franca when he was still a blue belt, working full time at his master’s gym. **Achievements:** - World Champion (1999 purple belt) - International de Masters e Seniors Champion (2009) - Pan American Champion (1997 blue belt) - World Silver Medallist (2001 black belt) - 2x Pan American Silver Medallist (1996 blue belt, 2001 black belt) - 2x World Bronze Medallist (1999 purple belt – absolute, 2000 brown belt) - 2x Pan American Bronze Medallist (1997 blue belt – absolute, 2002 black belt) **Lineage:** Carlos Gracie → Hélio Gracie → Master Francisco Mansor → Claudio Franca ## Programs ### Adult Jiu-Jitsu **Skill Level:** All Levels **Description:** All-levels and intermediate/advanced Brazilian jiu-jitsu for adults. **Classes:** - Monday: 06:00 AM - 07:00 AM, 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM, 06:00 PM - 07:00 PM - Tuesday: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM - Wednesday: 06:00 AM - 07:00 AM, 06:00 PM - 07:00 PM - Thursday: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM - Friday: 06:00 AM - 07:00 AM, 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM, 06:00 PM - 07:00 PM - Sunday: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM ### Adult No-Gi **Skill Level:** All Levels **Gi Requirement:** No-Gi **Description:** No-gi jiu-jitsu for adults, all levels and intermediate/advanced. **Classes:** - Tuesday: 06:00 PM - 07:00 PM - Wednesday: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM - Thursday: 06:00 PM - 07:00 PM - Saturday: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM ### Fundamentals **Skill Level:** Beginner **Description:** Beginner gi and no-gi jiu-jitsu, with a high belt coaching new students. **Classes:** - Monday: 06:00 PM - 07:00 PM - Tuesday: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM, 06:00 PM - 07:00 PM - Wednesday: 06:00 PM - 07:00 PM - Thursday: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM, 06:00 PM - 07:00 PM ### Kids and Teens Jiu-Jitsu **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** kids **Description:** Mini-Groms (4-6), Groms (7-12) gi and no-gi, and Teens (13-17). **Classes:** - Monday: 03:30 PM - 04:10 PM, 04:10 PM - 05:00 PM, 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM - Tuesday: 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM - Wednesday: 03:30 PM - 04:10 PM, 04:10 PM - 05:00 PM, 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM - Thursday: 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM - Friday: 03:30 PM - 04:10 PM, 04:10 PM - 05:00 PM, 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM ### Kickboxing **Skill Level:** All Levels **Description:** Muay Thai kickboxing for adults. **Classes:** - Monday: 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM - Wednesday: 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM - Friday: 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM - Saturday: 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM ### Kid's Kickboxing **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** kids **Description:** Light-contact kickboxing fundamentals for kids. **Classes:** - Tuesday: 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM - Thursday: 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM --- **Last Updated:** September 24, 2026 **Data Source:** bjj.space (https://bjj.space/gyms/united-states/california/santa-cruz/garth-taylor-jiu-jitsu)