Ascendancy's Kids and Teen classes specialize in scholastic/collegiate folkstyle wrestling, commonly seen in the United States school system. As the origin of the "D1 Wrestler", this wrestling variant is a prominent and fast-growing sport in the NCAA. We're happy to spearhead the introduction and growth of this style to Central Alberta so that more people can experience what makes American wrestling so great.

Our youth classes take a fun-first approach to training. Wrestling is a tough sport, but nothing keeps people coming back like having fun. Through game-based instruction, wrestlers quickly grow the skills necessary to be competent in a sporting environment without ever having any sports experience, whether their goals include competition or pure recreation. At Ascendancy, our kids play hard without realizing they're working hard too.

We value a friendly, supportive environment for youth to grow physically, mentally and emotionally. Through the avenue of wrestling, we seek to provide children and youth with the tools necessary to handle life's many challenges. Our ultimate goal is for young people to realize their greatest potential and that they,  too, can enrich the world around them in their own ways.

Ascendancy encourages family participation on the mats. To that effort we offer discounts to families with more than one member in our programs, and parents are encouraged to get in the mix with the youth classes as well. Ascendancy makes for a great workout, and quality bonding time for all of your loved ones.

Ascendancy takes a unique approach to competition. As an American sport, there is currently no competition infrastructure for Folkstyle wrestling in Canada. However, we recognize the desire for youth athletes to test their newfound skills! 

Towards this effort, youth athletes are offered the occasional opportunity to become part of the Ascendancy Warriors Competition Team by wrestling in Dojo Storms, organized matches against grapplers of other disciplines. Ascendancy partners with nearby martial arts and grappling schools to organize casual school vs. school competitions, often using mixed rulesets that allow differing grappling styles to achieve the same goal in their own unique ways. These experiences serve as a safe, low pressure method of acclimating youth to the rush that comes with competitive environments and the sense of competitive urgency, without expensive tournament costs. The overall goal is to foster acceptance and resilience in the face of defeat, grace and humility in the thrill of victory, and an positive overall sense of sportsmanship and team spirit.

Dojo Storms are announced and advertised on our Facebook and Instagram pages. The following is a list of our Dojo Storm partners, which will be updated as more are added on. Contact us if you'd like to organize a competition for your school and have it added.

Wolf Creek Martial Arts/Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu | Ponoka, AB

*Inaugural Dojo Storm on May 25, 2025

Seibukan Connection | Innisfail, AB

Want to pick up some wrestling skill, but don't fancy being banged up? We got something just for you!

Safestyle Wrestling is Ascendancy's new system of cardio wrestling training that's low-impact and accessible to anyone, serving as a safer alternative to the Olympic Freestyle and collegiate Folkstyle. Safestyle classes practice legitimate wrestling moves, movements and positions, but are modified to eliminate the "fighting" aspects of the sport such as takedowns and slams. This allows a larger focus on the functional fitness and cardio conditioning that comes with wrestling training, without the wear and tear.

Low-impact doesn't have to mean low-intensity! Though they are especially beginner-friendly, every Safestyle Wrestling exercise is designed to be scaled according to every individual. Ease into the exercises with slower movements, perform them at match intensity to really get your heart pumping, and even train your balance and posture during your partner's turn! Safestyle does away with hard sparring, but does feature drills and task-based games against resistance to achieve a live wrestling feel. 

Cardio Wrestling is especially great for...

• Beginners wanting to safely ease into wrestling/grappling

• Former athletes

• Older adults, or any adults with joint and/or injury sensitivities

• Parents of grapplers wanting to get a feel of what their children experience

• Combat sport athletes looking to practice wrestling entries that are easier on the body

Your one day of the week to train like a wrestler. Play it safe, practice Safetyle.

Combat Wrestling offers a take on the sport that's grounded in realism. It is a practical wrestling program that applies Folkstyle wrestling techniques and concepts to combat sports and self defense. Though wrestling is typically not focused on striking or submissions, techniques are trained with these in mind, making them suited for environments where these are a possibility. If desired, training can also be adjusted to be strictly position-based, without strikes and submissions to provide a pure wrestling experience.

In a sports context, Combat Wrestling training grants athletes the skills and confidence to dictate where matches take place. It is intended for applications in combat sports such as Freestyle & Catch Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo and Mixed-Martial Arts, but skills gained are also useful for personnel in professional endeavors such as Security, Law Enforcement, and other First Responders.

Combat Wrestling trainees gain the following skills.

• Takedowns: Effectively & efficiently force opponents to the ground to establish control

• Grounded top control: Keep opponents grounded and maintain top position using folkstyle wrestling holds and body pressure while avoiding sweeps. Control belly-down opponents in positions such as Turtle, opening up strikes and submission opportunities.

• Escapes and reversals from bottom: Maintain movement and safely escape to standing from dangerous positions underneath opponents, or force advancements to a controlling top position

Experience in grappling sports or physical combat is recommended, but beginners are welcome! We'll ease you in.

Ascendancy Wrestling Academy and Genki Jiu-Jitsu members are invited to the Wrestle-Jitsu Open Mat session for live rolls, drills, or other forms of grappling training on Thursday nights. Practice wrestling rules or submission grappling rules, or even experiment with Catch Wrestling!

Take advantage of personalized private wrestling training on Tuesday nights! Privates are offered in 1-on-1, small group, and team sessions. Private training is open to anyone, members or non-members, but must be booked and paid in advance. Prices are listed below and charged per person, per session. Contact us for bookings.  

• 1-on-1: $65

• Pair of 2: $62 each

• Group of 3: $60 each

• Group of 4: $55 each

• 5 or More: $50 each

Genki Jiu-Jitsu is Red Deer's oldest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program, initially beginning its journey as a Japanese Jujutsu program. Classes are taught by renowned Black Belt instructor, Professor David Bill, who brings decades of expertise to the very same mats Ascendancy trains on. The Genki Jiu-Jitsu program is affiliated under world-class instructor and 4th degree Black Belt and head instructor of Pacific Top Team Vernon, "Super" Dave Rothwell.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specializes in efficient grounded combat from top or bottom position. Jiu-Jitsu contrasts wrestling in that submissions are the ultimate goal rather than pins. Students learn to safely apply submissions, which consist of joint locks,  compression locks and chokes to quickly end matches with minimal chance of injury. Jiu-Jitsu training also has a strong reputation for allowing individuals to effectively grapple against larger, stronger opponents. As such, it is an invaluable tool for self-defense, especially when paired with wrestling. Genki Jiu-Jitsu classes are friendly to grapplers of all experience levels, including complete beginners. 

Ascendancy offers 2 membership bundles that provide access to Genki Jiu-Jitsu classes. Take advantage of the Wrestle-Jitsu Complete package, which includes all wrestling and jiu-jitsu classes, to get the best value in grappling!