This page is the risk warning, not the form. The document you sign is a paper form at the desk, and it takes about two minutes. This page exists so you can read what you are agreeing to before you arrive, rather than skimming it on the night.
1. What the risk actually is
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a contact sport. You will be gripped, held, swept, taken to the ground and put in positions you cannot immediately escape, by a partner who is resisting. That is the training, not a failure of it.
Injuries that happen here, in rough order of how often:
- Bruises, mat burns, jammed or sprained fingers and toes.
- Strains and sprains, most often knees, shoulders, ribs and neck.
- Skin infections passed on through mat contact.
- Less often: dislocations, torn ligaments, broken bones, concussion.
- Rarely, but genuinely possible: serious or permanent injury.
These risks cannot be removed. They can be reduced, and most of what reduces them is in your hands: tap early, tell your partner when something feels wrong, and do not treat drilling as a fight to win.
2. What you are agreeing to
By signing the form at the desk, you confirm that:
- You have read and understood the risk warning above.
- You take part voluntarily, knowing those risks.
- You are physically fit to take part, or have your doctor's clearance to do so.
- You will follow the instructor's directions, the hygiene rules, and the tapping convention.
- You will stop immediately when a partner taps, and tap yourself rather than risk injury.
- You will tell an instructor about any injury, illness or condition that could affect your safety, before you train.
3. Health declaration
The form asks you to declare any pre-existing injury, illness or medical condition, and any medication that would matter in an emergency — asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, heart conditions, blood thinners, previous concussion, joint injuries and surgeries.
This is not gatekeeping. Most conditions are trained around easily once we know. What is dangerous is us not knowing.
Tell us if anything changes. A declaration made once is not a declaration forever.
4. Emergency treatment
You consent to us arranging first aid and, where we judge it necessary, calling an ambulance or arranging emergency medical treatment.
You are responsible for the cost of ambulance transport and any medical treatment. Ambulance cover in New South Wales is not automatic. Check whether you have it.
The form asks for an emergency contact. Please give one who is actually reachable.
5. Insurance
The academy does not currently hold public liability insurance. We would rather tell you that plainly than leave you to assume otherwise.
Before you train, consider your own private health cover, ambulance cover, and any personal accident or income protection insurance you may want.
6. Members under 18
Anyone under 18 must have the form completed and signed by a parent or guardian, who confirms they have read this warning and consent to their child taking part and to emergency treatment if it is needed.
Parents are welcome to stay and watch any session, and we would rather you did before you enrol.
7. Your rights under Australian Consumer Law
Nothing you sign here takes away rights you have under the Australian Consumer Law, or any other right that cannot lawfully be excluded. Signing does not mean giving up every right — it means you understand the risks and accept them.
8. Records
Signed waivers are kept at the academy while you are a member and for seven years after your last class. How that information is handled is set out in our privacy policy.
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