Rik Swaine Head Instructor
Rik is a Brazilian JiuJitsu Black Belt under Professor Salvo Pace.
Why Choose Us?
We are commited to carrying on the Red Shield methodology learnt from Carlos Gracie Jr.
In a lifetime dedicated to the growth and development of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Master Carlos Gracie Jr. has always guided his efforts and actions by the values of brotherhood, expansion, and integrity. Simply stated by himself:
About Rik
Rik is a Brazilian JiuJitsu Black Belt under Professor Salvo Pace.
Early Years and Military Background
He first started his martial arts career at the young age of eight when he started boxing, fencing, and karate. He began his career as a British Army Commando in 1996. After joining up, he continued his martial arts journey, training in Aikido and boxing. He became the regimental heavyweight boxing Champion and took up traditional Jiu-Jitsu in 1997. He also started training in ‘No Holds Barred’ (NHB), which eventually evolved into ‘Mixed Martial Arts’ (MMA).
Journey in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Rik continued to train for over two decades in various locations around the world. He coached MMA and boxing before focusing on ‘Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’ (BJJ) in 2009. In 2015, he moved to Bath and started training at ‘Gracie Barra Bath’ as a student of Professor ‘Salvatore (Salvo) Pace’, a 3rd Degree Black Belt.
Achievements
- Bronze BJJ Gi β British Open at white belt 2011.
- Silver BJJ Gi β British Open Brown Belt 2019.
Global Experience
Rik has also competed in various other competitions, winning a major competition in Baghdad, Iraq. He worked for over a decade as a Close Protection officer in the Middle East for the US Department of Defence and British Embassy. He competed against and trained with US Marines, special forces soldiers, and government agents, as well as different private security NGO personnel of different nationalities. Rik also set up the first BJJ/MMA school in Baghdad Iraq in Camp Union 3.
Philosophy and Community
The main focal philosophy of Gracie Barra is ‘Jiu-Jitsu for everyone’. It aims to integrate with the community and change mindsets, influencing new generations to become future ambassadors of Gracie Barra and protect the legacy of the red shield. This contributes to making communities safer and happier.
Social Contribution
Being a military veteran, Rik is passionate about helping former and serving soldiers suffering from PTSD through the Royal British Legion. He provides a free weekly Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class to help raise awareness. He believes that by sharing the positive and negative impacts of operational deployments and life in general, people can help each other out, whether on the mats or off them.
