Archive for month: April, 2020

If anyone is planning a Euro trip, Amsterdam is always top of the list, and I was thrilled to finally visit the infamous city after 2 years of backpacking. Especially, I planned to catch up with my Dutch friends whom I met in Thailand (Hey Jan, Gaya, Kyra!), and I could not wait for the reunion. Before all the extravaganza in Amsterdam, I had an opportunity to join my new friends at 10th Planet Amsterdam.

Please don’t forget to follow me on Instagram for recent updates: @jwwseo

City
Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands, is known for its elaborate canal system surrounded by the iconic narrow houses in addition to legacies of the 17th-century Golden Age. Although the city is famed for its well-known coffee shops and extraordinary nightlife, Amsterdam offers way more than just cheap thrills. You can wander the sidewalks by foot or on a bike for an authentic local experience and explore the city of diversity and art through world-famous museums. With village-like charm combined with the cosmopolitan vibe and cultural heritage, the city has grown to become one of Europe’s most beloved and visited cities.

Overview
With its affiliation known for unorthodox techniques and unique warmups, 10th Planet Amsterdam mainly focuses on strictly no-gi Jiu-Jitsu and offers submission grappling classes every day. With my positive experience visiting a 10th Planet in Koh Tao, Thailand, I was excited to revisit another affiliate. The academy was led by Raoul Audhoe and Emad Ahmedin who are purple belts, but do not let their ranks fool you. Both instructors have cross-trained in MMA and other various martial arts and are actively competing in the submission grappling world in Europe. Further, they annually host Amsterdam Jiu-Jitsu Camp that invites famous athletes including Jean Jacques Machado, Masakazu Imanari, and Geo Martinez to this beautiful city to share passion and experiences with other Jiu-Jitsu practitioners from all over the world.

During my visit, I had the pleasure of training under one of the head coaches, Emad Ahmedin, who welcomed me to the academy and its community just like it was mentioned on the website: “Travellers and Drop-In’s welcome!”. The training area was spacious although the facility was shared with various gyms. On a rainy Saturday morning, I joined a class of around 15 students. The gym had a relaxing vibe, and everyone was quick to welcome me and say hello. My training partner for the day, Phillip, who recently returned to Jiu-Jitsu and joined the club, made sure I earned my night-out with a challenging training session. Coach Emad was humorous and engaging during the class and was not hesitant to help out with the techniques after the class even though I was simply a visitor. It seemed that it was not rare for the academy to host visitors and create a friendly atmosphere for everyone.

Amsterdam is already a captivating and charming city filled with history and liveliness to begin with and combining the Amsterdam experience with Jiu-Jitsu is a no-brainer. I would highly recommend paying a visit to 10th Planet Amsterdam for friendly training before exploring museums and coffee shops in the city. I would like to thank Coach Emad, Phillip, and the rest of the members for welcoming me to their city and the world of 10th Planet. Until next time!

Location & Facility
The club is located within the facility called “Amsterdam Training Center” on the south-east side of town. Via its well-established network of public transportation, you can easily reach the academy with a 10-minute train ride from the Amsterdam Centraal station. The academy has 100 square meters of mat space for grappling, and the facility also includes weight training equipment on the side of the training area and locker rooms with showers. (Google Map: Link)

Schedule
10th Planet Amsterdam offers classes every day including morning and evening classes. The academy’s most recent schedule is posted below:

Visitor Pass
10th Planet Amsterdam’s one day pass is €20.

Website — 10th Planet Amsterdam’s Website

Tourist Attractions

• Nightlife — Although Amsterdam is a small city, from abandoned warehouses to posh nightclubs, the nightlife has different social vibes and cultures depending on the district of the city. The most well-known bars and clubs are located in Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein.

• Coffee shops — Coffee shops in the Netherlands are legally permitted to sell small amounts of soft drugs for people who are over 18. If that is your thing, this is the place. Just do not be that person asking for a cup of Latte at a coffee shop (like I did).

• Museums — With over seventy museums around the city, Amsterdam is the museum central of Europe. The Museum District houses the world famous Rijksmuseum, which exhibits incredible artwork of Rembrandt along with many other famous artists, and the Van Gogh Museum dedicated to the works of Vincent van Gogh. The cultural life is so varied and extensive that there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Big thanks to 10th Planet Amsterdam!