Skip to content

Jiu-jitsu alive and well in Barrhead

The couple that fights together, stays together. While that might seem counterintuitive for most, it works well, for Joseph and Valerie Lindal.
Jessalyn Helmus (behind) takes advantage of her superior position by using a choking technique on Harold Helmus.
Jessalyn Helmus (behind) takes advantage of her superior position by using a choking technique on Harold Helmus.

The couple that fights together, stays together.

While that might seem counterintuitive for most, it works well, for Joseph and Valerie Lindal.

The Lindals have been operating the jiu-jitsu club in Barrhead in some form or another for about the last 12 years.

Jiu-jitsu is an ancient Japanese martial art or self-defense method that combines the throws, joint locks and chokes of judo with the hand and kicking striking techniques of karate.

Joseph took up the sport when he was about five years old, while Valerie was introduced when she was a teenager.

“That’s how I met Joe, actually. When I was 17, I took one of his classes,” she said.

The couple, who live in the Lac La Nonne area, began teaching jiu-jitsu about 25 years ago in Rich Valley after Joseph was laid off from his then job as a sheet metal worker

“Joe always knew he wanted to teach jiu-jitsu and when that happened it allowed him to pursue his passion,” Valerie said, adding since then the couple has expanded their jiu-jitsu classes to Onoway, Alberta Beach, Busby and now Barrhead. Every night of the week we are teaching somewhere.”

Currently, the Barrhead jiu-jitsu club has about 30 members ranging in age from five to 50 years old.

Joseph believes jiu-jitsu is so popular because of its versatility.

“It’s a great sport. Like all of the martial arts, it offers fitness and teaches respect and self-discipline, but because it encompasses a wide variety of techniques, all age groups can take part,” Joseph said, adding because of his build he naturally gravitates to throwing and grappling, but in his classes he does his best to make sure all aspects of jiu-jitsu are covered.

As for why the couple brought the martial art to Barrhead, Joseph said it is because of Dave McKenzie that jiu-jitsu is now in the community.

“I am always trying to improve as a martial artist so I was taking a class from sensei Dave at the Judo Club when he invited me to start teaching jiu-jitsu out of the club,” he said.

At the time the judo club was based in what is now J’s Place, but a combination of factors allowed the club to move into a larger space in the mall better suited to all the martial arts.

“I really have to thank him,” Joseph said. “It’s been a great dozen or so years. We really love Barrhead.”


Barry Kerton

About the Author: Barry Kerton

Barry Kerton is the managing editor of the Barrhead Leader, joining the paper in 2014. He covers news, municipal politics and sports.
Read more



Comments

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks