Scotty Smith Jr. and his family have spent the last two summers visiting Blue Ridge, Georgia. While the stunning mountain scenery and hiking trails are a plus, it’s the thrill of the Ocoee River’s whitewater rapids that keeps bringing them back. This year, they decided to share the experience by bringing along the dedicated instructors who play a vital role in making Next Generation Martial Arts Thibodaux a success.
Arrival at the Poke Cabin: A Cozy Retreat for the Next Generation Martial Arts Team
On Thursday, October 24th, 2024, the team of instructors from Next Generation Martial Arts departed from Thibodaux, Louisiana, heading to their cabin nestled in Fannin County. Scotty Smith Jr. and Shane Thibodaux were the first to arrive, with the rest of the crew—Jeremy Rougeau, Trepp Lombard, Ty Smith, and Paul Hingle IV (click here to read Paul’s story)—joining them later in the evening.
Their destination was the “Poke Cabin,” a cozy retreat nestled among the trees, complete with a fire pit and enough beds to accommodate everyone. The cabin offered everything these martial arts instructors needed for a comfortable and enjoyable stay, and they would highly recommend the Poke Cabin to anyone planning a visit to the area. Click here to book via vrbo and here for airbnb After relaxing together for a bit after their late arrival, everyone settled in for the night to rest up for the day ahead.
From Trails to Mats: A Day of Hiking, Training, and Campfire Bonding for the Next Generation Martial Arts Team
On Friday, October 25th, 2024, the six men woke to perfect weather in the 50s. They gathered on the back porch of the Poke Cabin, enjoying their morning coffee as they planned the day ahead. They opted to start the day with a hike at Brush Creek Trailhead in Turtletown, Tennessee, before heading to Blue Ridge for BJJ training at Terra Guerra Jiu Jitsu.
Arriving at the trailhead around 10:00 am, they set off without a specific plan, simply intending to explore until they needed to turn back. This spontaneity turned their adventure into an off-trail journey through the brush. There was plenty of goofing around and joking as they hiked the trail. In remote settings with nothing but adventure ahead, grown men quickly revert to their inner boys.
They shot slingshots, tossed sticks and rocks, and made random sounds that resembled nothing in nature. They did it all for no reason, and it was a blast.
This hike could have easily lasted the entire trip, and no one would have minded. After about two and a half hours on the trail, they decided to head back to the truck to grab a bite to eat at the cabin and take a shower before heading to Terra Guerra Jiu Jitsu for the 6:30 pm session.
The crew from Next Generation Martial Arts Thibodaux arrived at Terra Guerra Jiu Jitsu just in time to change and prepare for their training session with Professor Zack, a skilled black belt with a strong wrestling background. While wrestlers often have a relentless, grinding style that’s hard to shake, Zack’s smooth and fluid approach makes you wonder, “How much does he have left in the tank?” It’s not something you typically see with wrestlers.
After training with the Terra Guerra crew, they spent some time chatting and getting to know them better. It was a great experience, and they enjoyed meeting some locals who could assist them on future visits.
Training had really worked up their appetites, so they headed to the grocery store to pick up some sides to go with pork steaks from Bourgeois Meat Market, along with some snacks for the campfire. Back at the cabin, Shane started the fire to cook the pork steaks. There’s nothing quite like cooking over an open flame; the primal experience evokes thoughts of our ancestors and what life might have been like 300 years ago. It’s mesmerizing to gaze into the flames, hear the sizzle of the meat as it hits the grill, and watch the flare-ups as the fat renders to create the perfect char. This is cooking in its purest form—humankind’s original method—yet it feels almost lost in modern Western culture. It’s no surprise that food cooked this way tastes better. The group of jiu jitsu instructors enjoyed the pork steaks and sweet potatoes, then relaxed with some campfire shenanigans, looking forward to hitting the Ocoee’s white waters the next morning.
Facing the Ocoee River: A Day of Whitewater Rafting, Challenge, and Camaraderie for Next Generation Martial Arts Thibodaux
On Saturday, October 26th, the instructors from Next Generation Martial Arts Thibodaux woke to the same beautiful weather as the day before. They enjoyed their morning coffee on the back porch, chatting about the previous day’s hike, their training at Terra Guerra Jiu Jitsu, and the upcoming adventure on the Ocoee River. They were scheduled to meet their river guide, “Shoeless Joe,” at 11:30 am at the Ocoee River Experience in Benton, Tennessee. (click here to book with them)
Scotty and his family first met Shoeless Joe two summers ago, and immediately loved rafting with him. Joe’s laid-back personality and expert rafting skills put everyone at ease as he guided the boat through the river’s twists and turns with simple commands—“one forward, two forward, one backward, two backward.” After that initial trip, Scotty knew he’d return for more adventures and was eager to share the experience with the instructors and members of Next Generation Martial Arts Thibodaux, letting them feel the thrill of the white water with Joe too.
When the crew arrived at the Ocoee River Experience, they received a quick crash course on raft and river safety. After the briefing, they all piled into a small school bus and headed to the river’s starting point. Twenty minutes later, they reached the launch point and settled into the raft to hear Joe’s instructions for navigating the river.
Each guide has their own approach, and Joe’s style is all about keeping commands simple, which creates a quick learning curve and gets everyone aligned.
After his brief tutorial, the BJJ instructors from Thibodaux, Louisiana, lifted the raft and headed down the ramp toward the water.
As they walked down the ramp, a light mist from the dam above hit them—a clear sign it was going to be a chilly day on the Ocoee. With temperatures in the 70s and cloudy skies, warming up after getting wet would be a challenge. The look on everyone’s face seemed to say, “Well, this is gonna suck.” It was their turn to launch, and Joe told everyone to get in the boat. Once they were all settled, it was time to test the manpower he’d be working with as he guided them down the river. Joe held onto the back strap, calling out, “One forward.” The crew paddled on command, and, pleased with their response, Joe hopped in, and they headed downriver.
In whitewater rafting, those in the front of the boat always get the wettest. Their seating arrangement was: Paul at front left, Ty at front right, Scotty at middle left, Jeremy at middle right, Trepp at rear left, and Joe at the very back right. Unfortunately, Shane couldn’t join them after tweaking his elbow the day before, so he stayed back at the cabin and explored Blue Ridge. Trepp borrowed Shane’s water shoes for the trip, which later made for a funny video.
As Joe jumped into the raft, he called out, “Two forward,” to build some speed as they approached the first rapid, “Grumpy’s.” Hitting Grumpy’s gave the crew from Next Generation Martial Arts Thibodaux their first real taste of the Ocoee’s frigid whitewater. In their own ways, everyone shouted, “That water is f@cking cold!” and laughter followed as the initial shock of the cold started to settle in. Grumpy’s had set the tone for the adventure ahead, and with a renewed burst of energy, they continued their journey downriver, bracing for whatever lay ahead.
Continuing downriver, Joe expertly steered them through “Gonzo’s Shoals,” a rocky stretch that required precise navigation to stay on the ideal line. Following his simple commands, they maneuvered through the shoals smoothly and headed straight for the Ocoee’s next major challenge: “Broken Nose.” This fast-moving rapid propelled them through its churning whitewater before sending them out on the other side. As they powered through, icy splashes soaked them again, bringing fresh chills and laughter as they braced themselves for the river’s next surprise, a class III named “Slice and Dice.”
Up next was “Double Suck,” a thrilling rapid with a steep drop and surging currents—everything you picture when you think of classic whitewater rafting. This rapid is often used for a maneuver called “drop surfing.” Imagine being pinned under a waterfall in a self-bailing raft that won’t sink, while water crashes over you relentlessly, allowing only brief moments to gasp for air.
Double Suck would push us to our mental limits, demanding not only physical strength and balance but also a steely resolve to stay focused and composed under the intense pressure.
Ty and Paul were about to get a full dose of drop surfing Double Suck. These two BJJ blue belts were seated at the front of the boat, and Joe was determined to give them the full force of the rapid by surfing it nose-first. After crossing the rapid, Joe steered them to the left and quickly explained the plan to surf.
Once in position, he called out, “Two forward, two forward, two forward!” Fighting their way up-current and heading nose-first into the rapid, Joe shouted, “Get down!” and everyone dropped low in the boat, bracing for the impact. Ty and Paul, now fully exposed at the front, were pounded by freezing whitewater coming off the drop. Both young men have fought MMA in Thibodaux, and it was clear that their experience had prepared them well for this challenge. Even as they were nearly overwhelmed by the powerful surge, they stayed calm and composed, just as they do in training.
Mental calmness is a defining quality of a martial artist, and Ty and Paul’s years of practice shone through. Despite taking in mouthfuls of ice-cold water that left them shivering, they eagerly requested a second—and even a third—drop surf of Double Suck. They left the rapid, freezing, laughing, and fully bonded by this unique form of surf “torture.”
After leaving Double Suck, they prepared for the next set of rapids known as “Double Trouble.” Joe invited volunteers to “ride the bull,” where the raft plunges nose-first into the rapids. Ty eagerly took the challenge, clinging to the raft through the wild ride. Soaked and shivering, he emerged grinning, fully embracing the experience.
They encountered another Class III rapid called “Flipper” and endured yet another drop surf before reaching the “Doldrums,” a calm stretch that invited everyone to jump in for a swim. Scotty had dreaded this moment ever since the first mist from the dam hit his neck and shoulders. If you know Scotty, you know he dislikes cold water and hates letting his inner wimp win. With that in mind, he forced himself to jump into the icy, plunge-worthy waters. Once he surfaced, Scotty concentrated on his breathing to calm himself, feeling as though icicles were penetrating his bones. After regaining control, he assured the others on the raft that the water wasn’t that bad, prompting them to jump in one by one against their better judgment. First was Ty, followed by Paul, then Jeremy, and finally Trepp.
Scotty wasn’t trying to trick them into jumping in; he genuinely wanted them to conquer their inner wimp and step outside their comfort zones. He believed that while the cold water was initially shocking, they would quickly realize it would pass, leading them to some form of self-discovery through discomfort. In martial arts, self-discovery is paramount. Comfort often equates to a slow death, limiting life experiences. When you confront fear and discomfort, you discover that growth resides within those challenges. The capacity to endure pain and suffering is far greater than most people realize. The only way to uncover this potential is by defeating your inner wimp each time it surfaces.
After their swim, they helped each other back into the raft and drifted downriver to take in the view of Hiawassee Shoals. The fall foliage created a picturesque landscape of red, orange, and yellow leaves—a sight that Louisianians don’t often get to experience. As they gazed up at the mountains, the crisp air and vibrant colors enveloped their cold bodies, making them feel truly alive. It was a moment of camaraderie and a shared appreciation for the Ocoee’s natural beauty.
While drifting through Hiawassee Shoals, Joe pulled over to the bank, giving them a few moments of leisure. They disembarked from the raft, eager to warm up and stretch their freezing bodies. After nearly two hours in the frigid whitewater, the break was much appreciated. Shoeless Joe wanted to give them a chance to regroup before tackling the next section of rapids, known as “Tablesaw” and “Diamond Splitter.” Plus, he had a surprise in store—something that neither Scotty nor Ty had experienced on their previous trips with him: “The Mystery Move.”
Making their way through Cat’s Pajamas, they crossed a small rapid, and Joe aligned them toward a rock, calling out, “Two forward.” They drifted over to the rock, where Joe stopped the boat beside it. He positioned himself with one foot on the rock and the rest of his body in the boat, then asked the crew of martial artists, “Who wants to try the Mystery Move?”
The Mystery Move is a technique that takes advantage of a rapid’s aerated water, allowing you to sink even when wearing a PFD (personal flotation device). The increased air in the water caused by the rapids gives you an opportunity to submerge to much greater depths before your flotation device brings you back to the surface.
Joe looked at his crew, waiting to see who would go first. All were soaking wet, freezing, and reluctant to jump in again. Scotty knew deep down he’d have to suck it up at some point. Just then, he noticed another rafter from a different boat approach the rock where Les was standing. Les, another guide and a friend of Joe, watched as the young rafter—a teenager—climbed onto the rock, steadied himself, and jumped. He disappeared underwater for three to four seconds before popping up like a cork about 30 yards downriver. After seeing that, Scotty thought, “F@ck it, I’m going.” Freezing didn’t matter; his inner wimp was trying to stop him from having this experience. The young rafter motivated him to get out of the boat and stay young, especially since he’d just turned 40.
Making his way onto the rock, Scotty was careful not to slip. Les started explaining the steps, and Scotty listened intently before asking, “Where exactly do I need to jump?” He wanted to make sure he hit the mark for the best experience and, more importantly, to avoid any unseen rocks. Les pointed to a specific spot where the rapids formed a visible vortex in the water. With all the information in mind, Scotty knew the three key steps: 1) jump straight like a pencil, 2) aim for the spot where the vortex swirled, and 3) make one big pull down to go deeper.
Finally, Scotty gave his last permitted f@ck of the day and jumped. His feet pierced the swirling surface of the whitewater, with his hands at his sides, doing his best impersonation of a pencil. As his body followed into the water, he pulled himself further down, remembering Les’s advice: “If you want to go deeper, swim down.” This did two things: (1) it took him closer to the riverbed, where his left foot struck a rock, and (2) it delivered a healthy dose of river water straight up his nose. Scotty knew he needed to resurface quickly to clear his airway.
Scotty’s Mystery Move at Cat’s Pajamas Ocoee River
He floated onto his back as he surfaced, coughing up water. As he gathered his bearings, he heard Rob, the third guide from Ocoee River Experience, yell, “Swim!” Scotty thought, “Yeah, I know that, but I’m trying not to die over here.” After a brief moment of laughing at his inner dialogue, he listened to Rob, swam to the nearest rock, and climbed out of the water.
Now standing on top of the rock, Scotty looked back just in time to see his son Ty preparing to jump. Scotty’s inner dialogue kicked in again as he continued coughing up water, Well, I hope he’s smarter than me and doesn’t damn near drown himself. A couple of seconds later, Ty jumped, popped up like a cork, and swam over to meet his dad at the rock. Scotty helped Ty climb up, and together they laughed at the experience.
Ty’s Mystery Move at Cat’s Pajamas Ocoee River
They watched as Paul, Jeremy, and Trepp each took the same jump. Everyone had a similar thrill—well, almost everyone. Trepp’s experience was quite different. He had a recurring dream about drowning, and that thought crept into his mind as he stood on the rock. On top of that, he was the coldest of the group and was wearing Shane’s borrowed water shoes. Shane, a confident man from his time as a USMC Staff Sergeant, can be an intimidating figure in day-to-day life. Trepp, phone in hand, was convinced he was about to capture his own death on video. Despite all his inner doubts, the BJJ purple belt jumped into the swirling abyss of death. His time underwater was just under two seconds, and that’s all the river needed to steal a shoe—Shane’s shoe—from his foot. After the initial cold water shock wore off, about twenty seconds later, he realized he was missing a shoe and shouted, “I lost a shoe, I lost Shane’s shoe……. F@ck, It’s over there!” This moment was hilarious! Trepp had managed to escape the death of the river twice—once by daring to jump in, and again with the help of a nearby kayaker who recovered Shane’s shoe.
Trepp’s death defying Mystery Move at Cat’s Pajamas Ocoee River
With all six instructors from Next Generation Martial Arts Thibodaux now huddled together on the rock, Joe paddled the raft over to pick them up, and they continued downriver. Their final challenges awaited: “Hell’s Hole” and “Powerhouse.” This last stretch presented another chance to ride the bull. This time, Paul saddled up and held on for dear life as Joe guided the crew through the Ocoee’s final rapids. Paul’s ride left him grinning from ear to ear.
The crew of jiu jitsu instructors emerged from the Ocoee, trembling and chilled from the frigid waters, as they approached the river’s exit point. Once on land, everyone looked for the quickest way to warm up. Some tried jogging in place, others lay down on the asphalt, but someone had the bright idea to lean against the front of the bus, soaking up the heat from the recently running engine.
With everyone’s body temperature slowly recovering, it was time to head back to the Ocoee River Experience. They loaded onto the bus, and about twenty minutes later, they arrived and handed all their rafting gear back to the guides for cleanup and storage. After grabbing a quick bite to eat at the on-site restaurant and enjoying a well-deserved beer, they had full bellies and headed back to the cabin.
Lasting Bonds and Big Dreams: A Campfire Farewell and Reflections on Trust, Growth, and Community at Next Generation Martial Arts Thibodaux
Their day concluded with more campfire shenanigans and cooking over an open flame. This time, it was ribeyes that Jeremy had purchased from Bourgeois Meat Market in Thibodaux—an incredible business founded in 1891 and now owned by fourth-generation butcher Beau Bourgeois, one of the black belt instructors at Next Generation Martial Arts Thibodaux. Jeremy wanted to make their last night special, and he knew steaks from Bourgeois Meat Market were the way to go. He did a phenomenal job grilling for his jiu-jitsu brothers.
They enjoyed the last supper of the trip before gathering around the fire once more. As the evening came to an end, they each headed to bed one by one, resting up for the ten-hour drive awaiting them the next morning. The final morning greeted them with beautiful weather once again. They enjoyed their last coffee of the trip, cleaned up the Poke Cabin, loaded up the trucks, and began the journey back to Thibodaux.
The trip was an incredible experience for all the instructors, allowing them to build an even stronger bond. Rafting, like training in jiu jitsu, requires a deep level of trust. On the river, each person’s role is crucial; everyone must paddle in sync and respond quickly to commands. In rough waters, they rely on one another to stay balanced and safe, trusting that each team member will act to support the group. This trust mirrors what we build on the jiu jitsu mats. In training, we place our safety in our partner’s hands. When we’re “rolling,” we often put ourselves in vulnerable positions, trusting that our partner will stop at the tap and respect our limits. This mutual responsibility fosters a bond built on respect and shared growth—much like the teamwork we relied on in the rapids.
Founded in 2016, Next Generation Martial Arts Thibodaux was created to bring something special to the community, pioneering Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the city of Thibodaux. This trip is just the beginning of big things to come. Don’t believe us? Stay tuned over the next few years to see what’s ahead—or, better yet, join our growing community and be part of building something destined for greatness.
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