Chad Skinner shares a unique bond with the children in his jiu-jitsu classes. When classes were temporarily canceled due to damage from a storm at the sports center in Port aux Basques, Skinner wanted to maintain that connection. As the head coach of Trigon Jiu-Jitsu, he decided to start a new initiative.
Skinner introduced “Storytime with Coach Chad,” a YouTube series where he entertains his students by reading popular children’s books in a lively and engaging manner. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with students even requesting specific books for future episodes.
Running the jiu-jitsu group as a non-profit, Skinner treats all the children as his own, welcoming everyone regardless of their ability to pay. He emphasized that the group has evolved into a supportive community beyond just martial arts training.
Although classes are now able to resume following the roof damage incident, Skinner plans to continue the book series alongside jiu-jitsu sessions. He expressed his delight in the children’s enjoyment of the storytelling sessions and hinted at incorporating more jiu-jitsu-themed books in the future.