Rising Tide Academy (Finksburg)

Rising Tide Academy delivers Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and martial arts instruction at 2970 Dede Rd in Finksburg, Maryland. Operating across Carroll County, the school provides structured ground defense and combat sports training for youth and adult practitioners. The academy was co-founded by Jordan Stewart, who began training under Grandmaster Relson Gracie in 2010 and earned his black belt in 2020. Adult beginner training is directed by Kyle Spendiff, a Relson Gracie black belt with more than two decades of grappling and judo experience. The coaching roster includes Pedro Sauer black belt and 25-year law enforcement veteran Mike Johnson, John Gilbert, who received his black belt in 2018, and 6th-degree black belt Toney Waldecker, a United States Marine Corps veteran who conducts advanced jiu-jitsu classes. Academy coursework includes adult gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, foundational self-defense classes, and advanced technical instruction. Youth programming features a kids competition team and age-graded fundamentals. Prospective students can register online to schedule a complimentary trial class.