# Apollo Beach Jiu-Jitsu > Ruskin, United States ## Overview **Name:** Apollo Beach Jiu-Jitsu **Description:** Gracie Apollo Beach is a family-oriented martial arts academy founded in February 2018 by Professor Luis Mata and Professor Erin Harpe, both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts under Rob Kahn and Matt Arroyo. The academy is dedicated to helping individuals of all ages achieve their personal goals through self-defense training, discipline, and confidence-building programs. Professor Luis Mata brings over 13 years of jiu-jitsu experience and 6 years of MMA experience to the academy. He began training in 2007 at age 16 and competed in prestigious tournaments including the IBJJF World Championship, IBJJF New York Open, and Abu Dhabi Professional Jiu-Jitsu Trials. As a professional submission grappler, Luis coached the 2018 Kids International champions. Professor Erin Harpe is a two-time IBJJF World Champion (2014 blue belt, 2015 purple belt) and professional MMA fighter signed with Invicta Fighting Championship. She started training at age 5 under her father, Royce Gracie black belt James Harpe, and moved to Tampa in 2013 to train with the Gracie Tampa Network. The academy offers specialized programs for all experience levels, including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for kids, teens, and adults, striking classes (kickboxing and Muay Thai), women's self-defense, HIIT training, and youth programs. The training philosophy emphasizes practical self-defense, physical fitness, and building confidence in a supportive, family-friendly environment. Gracie Apollo Beach serves Ruskin, Apollo Beach, Tampa, and surrounding communities in Florida. **Status:** Active ## Contact Information **Address:** 408 N. US Highway 41 Ruskin, FL 33570, United States **Phone:** 813-600-5777 **Email:** gracieapollobeach@gmail.com **Website:** https://www.gracieapollobeach.com **Social Media:** - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gracieapollobeach/ ## Hours of Operation - Monday: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM - Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM - Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM - Thursday: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM - Friday: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM - Saturday: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM - Sunday: Closed ## Pricing ## Facilities & Amenities Kickboxing ## Instructors ### Erin Harpe - Black **Role:** Head Instructor **Bio:** Erin Harpe was born on July 28, 1994, in Springfield, western Massachusetts, USA, where she lived up until middle school, a time when she moved to Hamden, New Haven County, Connecticut. Being the daughter of a lifelong martial artist such as James Harpe, combat sports became an integral part of Erin’s life from an early age. When she was 4-years-old Harpe started her jiu-jitsu tuition under her father, a BJJ and karate instructor. During high school, Erin Harpe decided to add track running to her sporting activities, although that lasted only for a few years. After her senior season, the young Springfield native returned to jiu-jitsu as her sole extra-curricular activity. Growing up, one of Erin’s dreams was to become a professional mixed martial arts fighter, and although her father was a proficient combat instructor and a black belt under Royce Gracie, the level of the gym was not up to the standard of a professional MMA club. For that reason, Harpe’s father, James, advised Erin to seek a more pro-oriented training environment. The advice led her to Gracie Tampa, in Florida, a move Erin did on her own when she was 19YO. While at Gracie Tampa, Erin’s grappling tuition was taken over by The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) tournament and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) veteran Matt Arroyo. It was also training with her new team that Harpe met her husband, Luis Mata. In 2016 Erin Harpe suffered a serious knee injury that removed her from competition for the best part of 2 years. She returned in 2018 with a solid performance at the World Championships, taking bronze in her weight class. A few months prior to her “Mundial” showing, in February 2018, Harpe opened a successful Gracie Jiu-Jitsu School in Apollo Beach together with her husband. After a gold medal at the Pan No-Gi Championships and a victorious return to mixed martial arts, Erin Harpe was promoted to black belt. The ceremony was guided by Matt Arroyo on December 14, 2019. ### Luis Mata - Black **Role:** Head Instructor **Bio:** Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under Rob Kahn and Matt Arroyo with 13+ years of jiu-jitsu experience and 6 years of MMA experience. Professional submission grappler who started training in 2007 at age 16. Competed in IBJJF World Championship, IBJJF New York Open, and Abu Dhabi Professional Jiu-Jitsu Trials. Coached 2018 Kids International champions. ### Efráin Cintron **Role:** Instructor ### John Moffat **Role:** Instructor ### Jon Arce **Role:** Instructor ### Katy Moore **Role:** Instructor ### Chelsea Lugo **Role:** Assistant ### Gianni Michel **Role:** Assistant ### Jean-Claude Governale **Role:** Assistant ### Justin Glidewell **Role:** Assistant ### Samantha Clark **Role:** Assistant ## Programs ### Kids Martial Arts (Ages 4+) **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** kids **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** Martial arts program for children ages 4 and up focusing on discipline, confidence, and self-defense. Kids develop coordination, physical fitness, mental strength, and valuable social skills through positive reinforcement. ### Teen's Martial Arts **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** kids **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program designed specifically for teenagers, helping them develop discipline, confidence, and self-defense skills while building physical fitness and mental strength. ### Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (Adults) **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** Comprehensive BJJ program for adults of all skill levels. Learn practical self-defense techniques, improve physical fitness, and build confidence. Whether you're interested in sport competition or self-defense, this program provides intense full-body workouts combined with technical training. ### Striking (Kickboxing & Muay Thai) **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** No-Gi **Description:** Stand-up striking classes combining kickboxing and Muay Thai techniques. Perfect for fitness, self-defense, or competition preparation. Challenging workouts that improve cardiovascular fitness, coordination, and striking skills. ### Women's Self-Defense **Skill Level:** Beginner **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** No-Gi **Description:** Specialized self-defense program for women focusing on practical techniques to defend yourself in real-world situations. Go beyond traditional martial arts with empowering training in a supportive environment. ### HIIT & Personal Training **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** No-Gi **Description:** High-Intensity Interval Training and personal training sessions focused on weight loss, muscle toning, and overall fitness. Get in the best shape of your life with martial arts-inspired fitness training. --- **Last Updated:** March 03, 2026 **Data Source:** BJJ.Space (https://bjj.space/gyms/united-states/florida/ruskin/apollo-beach-jiu-jitsu)