Gracie Barra Gym Article

The following is part of a series on training options in New York. This piece focuses on Scarola Jiu Jitsu on Long Island.

In the year it has been open, Scarola Jiu Jitsu, also known as Gracie Barra Long Island, has seen some exceptional growth. With around 170 registered students at its current location in New Hyde Park, NY, and a second location about to open in Comack, the gym rivals the size of any other Jiu Jitsu school in the area.

“We started with a pretty good reputation, “head instructor and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt Joey Scarola explained. “We have a good product and we believe in what we do.”

The former Serra Jiu Jitsu instructor was already well known in New York BJJ circles before the academy opened last year, having been competing for nearly a decade prior.

Scarola is proud of his new school’s showing in competitions. “Most of my guys will either come home with a medal or get close to it.” As recently as last month at Long Island Pride Scarola Jiu Jitsu player Brandon Hughes took home first place for the heavy weight purple belt division. But Scarola prefers to focus on the school’s wider appeal.

“We cater to everyone,” Scarola said. “We have people who come and just want to learn Jiu Jitsu for the fun of it. For people who want to compete we have classes to prepare them for that”

Construction on the Comack location is almost complete and Scarola would like to open it for business inside the next two weeks. Scarola has seen the construction and feels both current and prospective students will be pleased with the new facilities.

As to his own career, Scarola commented “I’ve concentrated 100% of my energy this last year into the school. Once both school’s are up and running I plan to return to competition.”