Ranch attracts new athletic schools

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Beginning this fall, East County students and their families will have two more athletic opportunities available to them.

The House of Pain Martial Arts Academy opened Aug. 1, on Lena Road in Bradenton; Lakewood Ranch Gymnastics is scheduled to open Sept. 6.

THE HOUSE OF PAIN MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY
For the past five years, Josh Escher has been dreaming of opening his own martial arts academy.
But it wasn’t until his friend and fellow fighter Larry Jarrett was killed in a car accident in January that Escher finally decided to follow through on his dream.

“That (encouraged) me to get the process started, and here we are,” Escher said. “Just the whole situation — there was something about it. I don’t know if it was his way of coming down and telling me. … I started training with (Master Mike) when I was about 10 years old, and Larry was the first person I met. We grew up together and I looked up to him like an older brother. Losing him was like losing an older brother.”

On Aug. 1, Escher, along with Master Mike Hollobaugh, opened The House of Pain Martial Arts Academy, 5103 Lena Road, Suite 115. The House of Pain, which is open from 4:30-9 p.m., Monday through Thursday; and 4:30-7 p.m., Friday, offers a wide variety of instructional classes, including traditional karate, kickboxing, MMA Fitness Training, cardio training, danger awareness, women’s self defense, grappling and zumba, among others, for children and adults.

Prices vary depending on the length of the class. Law enforcement, EMS, military, fire and family discounts also are available.

“We want people to come in and have fun and, in the process, learn martial arts and get in shape,” Escher said. “We have so much to offer.”

In addition, The House of Pain also offers an after-school program, which includes free pickup from select East County elementary schools, independent homework time, an instructed karate class and supervised playtime.

Escher began taking martial arts when he was 5 years old after his mother encouraged him to get involved.

“It teaches you a lot about respect toward others,” said Escher, who also works as a deputy for the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

Escher joined an after-school program at Bayshore Elementary before he began training with Hollobaugh in the early 90s. Since then, Escher has won Junior Florida State, Florida State Lightweight and U.S. Lightweight titles.

Those interested in signing up for classes or receiving more information can stop into the academy, call 755-6000 or visit www.myhouseofpain.com.

LAKEWOOD RANCH GYMNASTICS
Laura Parraga will never forget the day her mother told her she needed to find a part-time job.

The Inlets resident was going to school in South Carolina at the time. From the moment she set foot in the gym, Parraga felt right at home.

“I completely found my passion,” Parraga said. “They spent so much time training me in European technique, and I also learned about balance because (children need to lean that gymnastics) is a choice. It’s just my passion.”

Upon graduating from college, Parraga, who took gymnastics as a child, went to work for a gymnastics club in Augusta, Ga., where she ran the club’s lower-level competitive teams while also cheering for the Atlanta Falcons.

Now, after spending the past seven years coaching LaFleur’s Gymnastics’ competitive team in Largo, Parraga and her husband, David, a former world champion gymnast on both vault and floor, are hoping to bring their competitive edge to Lakewood Ranch.

On Sept. 6, the couple will open Lakewood Ranch Gymnastics, 10615 Technology Terrace. In addition to running the school, the Parragas also will continue to coach their competitive team in Largo for another year.

“This time last year, we approached the (LaFleur) family and originally we thought about purchasing and running the Largo gym, but this is our community,” Laura Parraga said. “Hopefully, we can provide the area with something that has seemingly been missing — great technical gymnastics and a lot of fun at a high level.”

Lakewood Ranch Gymnastics offers a variety of classes for children 16 months and up, including cheerleading and tumbling classes, recreational gymnastics for boys and girls and competitive gymnastics. In addition, the gym also will host open gyms from 11 a.m. to noon, Wednesdays; and 6:30-8:30 p.m., Fridays, as well as birthday parties. Classes range from $63 to $120 per month for once or twice a week sessions.

Beginning next year, the gym also plans to begin hosting USA Gymnastics competitions.
For more information on Lakewood Ranch Gymnastics, including class descriptions and pricing, visit  www.lakewoodranchgymnastics.com or call 753-FLIP.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].