You're thinking about training at Lolakana and have questions. These are the ones we actually get asked, answered properly.
If yours isn't here, email us and we'll answer it.
Table of Contents
ABOUT LOLAKANA
What is Lolakana Martial Arts?
Lolakana is a martial arts gym in downtown Victoria BC. We teach Brazilian jiu-jitsu (gi and no-gi), kickboxing, boxing and MMA, with separate programs for kids, teens and adults.
Where is Lolakana located?
Lolakana is at 1855 Blanshard Street, downtown Victoria BC.
The lot around the building is ours. Free parking, any open spot.
Where does the name Lolakana come from?
The Lolakana name started as a personal music playlist project in 2020. The gym opened in Victoria BC under that name in August 2025.
When did Lolakana open?
Lolakana Martial Arts opened in Victoria BC in August 2025.
Is Lolakana Indigenous-owned?
Yes. Lolakana Martial Arts is an Indigenous-owned martial arts gym in Victoria BC.
Who owns Lolakana?
Lolakana is owned by Nolan Sinclair, who has been playing jiu-jitsu since 1999.
Is Lolakana part of a chain or franchise?
No. Lolakana is independently owned with one location, in downtown Victoria BC.
What makes Lolakana different from other martial arts gyms in Victoria?
Every Brazilian jiu-jitsu class at Lolakana is black belt instructed.
Lolakana Martial Arts is a chartered club with Boxing BC, the provincial governing body for amateur boxing in British Columbia. Our instructors have completed NCCP Safe Sport Training.
Past that, we're built for hobbyists. Train as often as you like, get better, go home. No pressure to compete and no belt-chasing culture.
If you're looking for a hardcore fight team, this isn't it.
CLASSES & PROGRAMS
What martial arts can you train at Lolakana?
Lolakana teaches Brazilian jiu-jitsu (gi and no-gi), kickboxing, boxing and MMA at our gym in downtown Victoria BC.
There are separate programs for adults, teens and kids, plus a women's only kickboxing class and a beginner jiu-jitsu class for people who have never trained.
What is Brazilian jiu-jitsu?
Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) is a grappling art. No striking. You learn to control someone on the ground using position and leverage, and to finish with joint locks and chokes.
It was built so that a smaller person can handle a bigger one. That's the whole idea and it's why technique beats size in it.
What's the difference between gi and no-gi?
Gi jiu-jitsu (BJJ) is trained in a traditional uniform (a heavy cotton jacket and pants). Grips on the clothing are part of the technique, so the pace is slower and more controlled.
No-gi is trained in a rash guard and shorts. No clothing grips, so it relies more on body control. Faster, more scrambling.
Lolakana runs both. Plenty of people train both. If you're not sure which to start with, email us.
Do you have a beginner jiu-jitsu class?
Yes. Lolakana runs a Beginner BJJ class built for the complete beginner, twice a week in the evening. No experience needed.
A loaner uniform is included, laundered between classes, so you don't buy anything you don't take anything home.
More on the Beginner BJJ page.
Do you teach kickboxing?
Yes. Lolakana runs co-ed kickboxing twice a week in the evening at our Victoria BC gym.
The classes are a lot of working combos on Thai pads with partners and footwork drills. Combination of skills and conditioning.
More on the Kickboxing page.
Do you teach boxing?
Yes. Lolakana runs a co-ed boxing class once a week in the evening.
Do you teach MMA?
Yes. Lolakana runs an adult MMA class once a week, and a kids MMA class twice a week.
Do you have a women's only class?
Yes. Lolakana runs women's only kickboxing twice a week at our Victoria BC gym, Thursday evening and Sunday midday.
Two different slots so it works around a work week or weekend.
More on the Women's Only Kickboxing page.
Do you have martial arts classes for kids?
Yes. Lolakana runs kids classes in Victoria BC from age 2.
Parents & Tots Jiu-Jitsu runs every Sunday at 10:30am for 30 minutes, and is built for families that want to have fun with their kids at the same time. It's for ages 2 to 4. Space is extremely limited for this class. Please email us with any questions or to book your spot.
The 3 to 5 year olds have their own jiu-jitsu class on Saturday mornings. It runs 30 minutes. Kids 6 and up have jiu-jitsu on Saturdays and after school through the week, plus a kids MMA class twice a week.
Our instructors have completed NCCP Safe Sport Training.
More on the Kids Classes page.
Do you have classes for teens?
Yes. Lolakana runs a teen class twice a week. It's no-gi with a focus on MMA, so a mix of kickboxing, wrestling and jiu-jitsu.
Some of the teens stay after and join the adult kickboxing class.
What is open mat?
Open mat is unstructured training time. No instruction and no set curriculum. You come in and play jiu-jitsu with whoever is there, at whatever pace you agree on.
Lolakana runs open mat several times a week.
Do I have to pick one thing to train?
No. A Lolakana membership isn't tied to one discipline. Plenty of people play jiu-jitsu and do kickboxing in the same week.
GETTING STARTED
How much does it cost to train at Lolakana?
Memberships are priced by how often you train, so there's a rate for training once or twice a week and a rate for unlimited classes.
There's a family discount when more than one person from the same household joins.
Email us and we'll send you the current rates.
Do you offer a free trial?
Yes. Lolakana offers a free week to everyone. Any of our regularly scheduled classes, as many as you want to try, no gear required. We have loaners.
Our Beginner BJJ, Women's Only Kickboxing and Parents and Tots classes run separately and aren't part of the free week.
Email us and we'll get you started.
How do I sign up for a class?
Email us and we'll put you on the list.
When you come in, arrive about ten minutes early. There's a waiver to sign and we'll get you into loaner gear if you need it.
Is there parking at Lolakana?
Yes. The lot around the building is ours. Free parking, any open spot.
How do I get in touch?
The contact page. We answer everything ourselves.
