QUEER-FRIENDLY FREESTYLE WRESTLING CLASS AND OPEN MAT

JOIN US FOR AN AFTERNOON OF WRESTLING TRAINING AND FUN

📅 Date: Satuday, December 10
🕕 Time: Freestyle Wrestling Class: 3:00pm - 4:00pm | Open mat: 4:00pm - 6:00pm
📍 Location: The Academy Davisville: 33 Davisville Ave, Toronto, ON M4S 2Y9

We're excited to launch Toronto's first LGBTQIA2S+ friendly wrestling class! (Note: we will be using the term "queer" to refer to all identities and experiences within the community).

Our queer-friendly freestyle wrestling class and open mat is created for the queer community to provide a fun, welcoming, and safe place to train. Whether you're brand new to wrestling or want to up your game, we got space for you on our mats.

What is freestyle wrestling?
Freestyle wrestling is a category of wrestling where you can make contact with the entire body. The goal is to pin your opponent’s shoulders to the mat. Think of the type of wrestling you see in the Olympics.

Class structure:

• Start with a warm-up and drills lead by an experienced instructor
• Work with the instructor and a partner to learn new techniques such as takedowns and pins (Don't worry if you don't have a partner. We will find you one! Many of our trainees start solo.)
• Participate according to your ability and comfort level

What to expect:

• Beginner-friendly freestyle wrestling instruction
• Learn basic techniques such as takedowns and pins
• No pressure to participate beyond your level or ability
• Only spar if you want to
• Practice what you’ve learned during open-mat session
• Great music and great vibes!
• Work up a sweat, learn new skills, and have fun!

NOTE: If attending the class, please arrive 15-20min early to sign your waiver and change. We will start at 3:00pm sharp! To ensure everyone is able to get the most out of the limited training time, late entries will NOT be accepted.

If you can't make the class, we encourage you to attend the open mat afterwards.

Get more time on the mats and practice what you learned. Our open mat is open to ALL wrestling and grappling disciplines (wrestling, jiu-jitsu, judo, etc.).

How it works:

• Get more time on the mats and practice what you learned
• Unstructured - go at your own pace
• Choose whether you want to practice techniques or spar
• If sparing, agree on the type of match with your partner (e.g. pin, takedown, or submission)
• Wrestle/grapple at your leisure and according to your comfort level
• Supervised by the instructor and experienced students on-hand to help you

Striking (e.g. punching & kicking, body shots) is not allowed - check out The Academy's Sanda kickboxing and MMA classes if you're interested in training one of these disciplines)

• Gym clothes (t-shirt, shorts, sweatpants, etc.) - avoid any clothes with sharp objects or that are overly baggy
• A lock (locker and shower space is available)
• Water
• Flip flops (for walking to and from the mat)
• A towel
• A change of clothes (you WILL get sweaty)

IS WRESTLING SAFE?

We strive to create an environment where everyone can train according to the comfort level. We get it, we all have day jobs, families, and other responsibilities to go back to after pactice. We’re here to work up a sweat, have fun, and occasionally spar recreationally.

That being said, wrestling is a combat sport, and the occasional bruise, scrape, or bump is possible. There will be ZERO TOLERANCE for any dangerous or overly aggresive behaviour.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY QUEER-FRIENDLY?

Our class and open mat is for ANYONE who wants to try out wrestling, regardless of your sexual or gender identity or expression. We plan to specifically outreach to the LGBTQIA2S+ community, given that many in the community feel like they do not have a space in combat-sports. We’re looking to change that. Anyone who respects one another is welcome on our mats.

While promoted under WrestleFest Toronto, the class and open mat are organized and run by The Academy Toronto. All participants will be required to sign a waiver before participating and must adhere to safety and ettiquite rules set out by The Academy Toronto. Should you wish to see a copy of the waiver before the event, send us a message and we will provide it to you.

All participants have the option of a 7-day free trial of The Academy's classes following participation in the event. Check out the full offering of classes and the schedule at https://www.theacademytoronto.ca/

For more wrestling events tailored towards the queer community, follow WrestleFest Toronto on Instagram @WrestleFestToronto

Check out the Q&A section for more info.

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