# Category Five Jiu-Jitsu > Hurricane, United States ## Overview **Name:** Category Five Jiu-Jitsu **Description:** Category Five Jiu-Jitsu is a welcoming Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy in Hurricane, West Virginia that emphasizes community and camaraderie. Originally established by Shannon Newhouse in 2014, the gym was fully inherited by Wes and Kristi Thompson during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The academy maintains a tidy and clean training environment that allows students of all backgrounds to focus on technique and physical improvement. Category Five's lineage comes from Jiu-Jitsu legends and multiple time World Champions Saulo and Xande Ribeiro. Saulo received his black belt from Royler Gracie in 1995 and passed on his knowledge to Chris Blanke, his first American Black Belt. The gym continues to grow and improve through the guidance of Chris, who is the owner of the Toledo Jiu-Jitsu Center / Badger Style Team, senior member of the Six Blades Jiu-Jitsu Team, IBJJF 4th degree Black Belt, multiple time champion, and a certified defensive tactics instructor for the state of Ohio. The instructors at Category Five represent various martial arts backgrounds and specialties including Jiu-Jitsu, mixed martial arts, and defensive tactics. Head instructor Wes Thompson is a black belt under Scott Layton with over 20 years of combat sport experience. Shannon Newhouse received his Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under Scott Layton in 2018 and has over 15 years of BJJ experience. Other instructors include Samuel Hedrick (black belt, 2024), Jacob Mills (black belt, 2025), Ted Malone (black belt under Saulo and Xande Ribeiro, certified Law Enforcement Defensive Tactics Instructor), and Matthew Haid (black belt, 2024, 15+ years experience). The academy values community, passion, perseverance, fun, and respect, building resilient athletes both on and off the mats. **Status:** Active ## Contact Information **Address:** 270 Progress Way Unit A2, Hurricane, WV 25526 Hurricane, WA 25526, United States **Phone:** (304) 550-6685 **Website:** https://c5jj.com **Social Media:** - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/categoryfivejj/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/categoryfivejj ## Hours of Operation - Monday: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 4:30 PM - 8:30 PM - Tuesday: 6:00 AM - 8:00 AM, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM - Wednesday: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 4:30 PM - 8:30 PM - Thursday: 6:00 AM - 8:00 AM, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM - Friday: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM - Saturday: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM - Sunday: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM ## Pricing ### Monthly Membership - Adult: $140/month ## Facilities & Amenities Kickboxing ## Instructors ### Wes Thompson - Black **Role:** Head Instructor **Bio:** Black belt under Scott Layton with over 20 years of combat sport and self defense training experience. Head instructor and owner of Category Five Jiu-Jitsu. ### Jacob Mills - Black **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** Instructor for the Thursday night Gi classes at Category Five. Began training Jiu-Jitsu in 2015, and received his black belt in March of 2025. ### Matthew Haid - Black **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** Instructor at Category Five with over 15 years of Jiu-Jitsu experience. Began his Jiu-Jitsu journey in 2009, and received his black belt in January 2024. ### Samuel Hedrick - Black **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** Instructor for the Tuesday night no-gi classes at Category Five. Began training Jiu-Jitsu in April of 2015, and received his black belt in January 2024. ### Shannon Newhouse - Black **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** Received his Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under Scott Layton in 2018 and has been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for over 15 years. Shannon's passion is in passing on his knowledge of the art to every student willing to learn. ### Ted Malone - Black **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** Black Belt under Saulo and Xande Ribeiro and training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for over 15 years. Certified Law Enforcement Defensive Tactics Instructor for the state of West Virginia. Certified Military and Law Enforcement Defensive Tactics Instructor. ## Programs ### Kids Ages 5-7 **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** kids **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** BJJ helps kids gain confidence, learn discipline, focus their energy, foster respect for others, and be a part of a one-of-a-kind community full of future friends **Classes:** ### Kids Ages 8-12 **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** kids **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** BJJ empowers a smaller individual to fight against a larger opponent. BJJ helps kids gain confidence, learn discipline, focus their energy, foster respect for others, and be a part of a community. **Classes:** ### Gi Jiu-Jitsu Fundamentals **Skill Level:** Beginner **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** Beginner-friendly BJJ program focusing on core techniques with the gi **Classes:** ### Gi Jiu-Jitsu All Levels **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** All levels BJJ training with the gi for teens and adults **Classes:** ### No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu Fundamentals **Skill Level:** Beginner **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** No-Gi **Description:** Beginner-friendly no-gi grappling program **Classes:** ### No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu All Levels **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** No-Gi **Description:** All levels no-gi grappling for teens and adults **Classes:** ### Kickboxing **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** No-Gi **Description:** Kickboxing classes for fitness and self-defense, ages 13 and up **Classes:** ### Open Mat **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** all_ages **Gi Requirement:** No-Gi **Description:** Open training time for all members **Classes:** --- **Last Updated:** March 03, 2026 **Data Source:** BJJ.Space (https://bjj.space/gyms/united-states/washington/hurricane/category-five-jiu-jitsu)