Rising Tide Hi Tech proudly serving Hanover
Rising Tide Hi Tech has classes in Hanover, perfect for kids, teen, and adult martial arts lessons.
All Hi-Tech Martial Arts instructors and staff are background checked through SportsEngine/NCSI.
Meet our Martial Arts Brazilian/Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Instructors
Naqi Sayed
Naqi has been dedicated to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since 2011 and earned his black belt under Relson Gracie in 2021. He enjoys teaching judo, self-defense, and competition classes, with a particular passion for empowering women and children to learn self-defense, inspired by his role as a father to two daughters.
Naqi’s mission is to help students build resilience by developing the confidence to tackle life’s challenges. He believes that the keys to improvement in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are consistent training, finding an accountability partner, establishing a strong training rhythm, and maintaining a growth mindset focused on learning and refining techniques. Naqi emphasizes that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu offers numerous benefits, including improved physical fitness, mental toughness, and stress relief. It’s not just about self-defense—it’s about building a healthier, more confident, and disciplined lifestyle.
Anton Garcia
Anton Garcia, a seasoned martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, has been dedicated to the discipline since 2013. With a background in traditional martial arts like karate, Anton was immediately captivated by the effectiveness and depth of jiu-jitsu. His journey as an instructor began in 2016 when he started teaching kids’ classes, eventually becoming a key instructor for the Women’s Jiu-Jitsu program. In July 2024, Anton earned his black belt, marking a significant milestone in his martial arts career. Today, he imparts his knowledge and passion through fundamental and advanced adult classes.
Anton’s teaching philosophy revolves around the transformative power of jiu-jitsu. He believes that the art not only enhances physical abilities but also fosters mental and emotional growth. His commitment to his students is evident in his approach to teaching; he is especially passionate about guiding new students, including those who may be smaller or less athletic, helping them become proficient and confident practitioners. Anton is a strong advocate for the life-changing benefits of jiu-jitsu, emphasizing its role in building self-awareness, compassion, and confidence in both kids and adults. Through his instruction, Anton aims to empower individuals to achieve their goals and improve their lives, one technique at a time.
Ted Hartman
Ted Hartman is a black belt. Having grown up playing Ice Hockey and Soccer, he began to study at Rising Tide Academy in 2016. He began teaching kids classes later that year and continued to do so until 2019. In 2019, Ted received his purple belt and began the morning program that has become popular at Rising Tide Academy. He currently teaches fundamental, intermediate, and advanced adult classes. Ted is passionate about teaching Jiu-Jitsu to kids and adults to improve their health, self-defense, and confidence.
Mike Johnson
Mike Johnson – A black belt under Professor Pedro Sauer, Mike has been training jiu-jitsu for over 20 years. Mike teaches adult jiu-jitsu classes in Finksburg, Columbia and at Hi Tech. A lifelong martial artist and 25-year police veteran, Mike holds numerous defensive tactics instructor certifications. He brings real-world experience and decades of teaching experience to Rising Tide.
Tori Garten
Tori received her black belt from Grand Master Relson Gracie in March 2019. Her self-defense and Jiu-jitsu journey started in December 2005 when she took her first self-defense class. She started training once a week, then two, then more. She started assisting with kids class early on in her journey, followed by starting a women’s class in 2012. Tori has also led a variety of self-defense workshops for all levels of Girl Scouts, Venture Scouts, church groups, refugees, au pairs and even for Take Your Kid to Work day. Tori strongly believes that jiu-jitsu is for everyone. Her passion is sharing the mental and physical benefits of learning jiu-jitsu – especially from a self-defense perspective. Jiu-jitsu is a puzzle that opens up new layers of knowledge seemingly just in time. She looks forward to meeting you and sharing in your journey on the mats. Tori is certified in Advanced and Wilderness First Aid, AED and CPR, as well as trained for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
Toney Waldecker
Toney is a sixth-degree Relson Gracie black belt, making him the highest ranked jiu-jitsu instructors in the region. A veteran of jiu-jitsu, Sambo, Muay Thai, and MMA competitions, Toney now coaches numerous professional fighters in the UFC and Bellator. Toney brings with him more than 30 years of experience teaching martial arts at the highest levels.
Toney is also a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and is a certified Level 2 Army combatives instructor. He is an expert at teaching specialized Gracie jiu-jitsu self-defense techniques.
Kyle Hair
Kyle is a brown belt in jiu-jitsu who has been training for over 8 years. He has experience in wrestling, Judo, and other traditional martial arts. He has competed and placed in tournaments at each jiu-jitsu belt rank. Kyle has an academic background in Operations Research and is a retired military officer. He is a certified as Lean Six Sigma (process improvement) Coach and brings a process-oriented approach to jiu-jitsu instruction that is helps students understand and systemize jiu-jitsu. Kyle is an advocate for introducing 40-50 year old people to the sport and lifestyle of jiu-jitsu and its benefits. As a former collegiate football player, he found jiu-jitsu later in life and helps to keep active and sharp in many aspects of his life. He hopes to pass on the many lessons of mental health, happiness, self-improvement, and leadership that he has learned through training the “gentle art” to students at Hi Tech!
Austin Roden
Austin is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has been training for over 10 years. He teaches kid and adult fundamental jiu-jitsu and Self-Defense classes.
Meet our Muay Thai Instructors
Jeff Bozier
Jeff Bozier, Jr. embarked on his journey in combative sports back in 2005, gradually intensifying his training regimen by 2010. Jeff’s dedication led him through an immersive experience in various disciplines such as mixed martial arts, kickboxing, Thai, and traditional boxing. During the initial phase of his journey, he explored multiple aspects of combat sports before refining his focus exclusively to traditional boxing.
In 2017, Jeff achieved global recognition when he secured a spot among the world’s top 10 amateur kickboxers according to the International Kickboxing Federation. This accomplishment underscored his prowess in the sport. His dedication and skill were exemplified by clinching three amateur kickboxing titles, in addition to claiming numerous jiu-jitsu medals and other notable honors.
In 2018, Jeff found his stride at the Upton Boxing Center, channeling his energy into boxing. Demonstrating remarkable potential, he entered the Open Golden Gloves 159 Division and clinched victory in the open division, an impressive feat considering his limited amateur boxing experience at the time. Jeff’s achievements continued to expand as he ventured into professional boxing, while also harboring aspirations to make a mark in the realm of MMA.
Enthusiastic about the emerging generation of athletes who are redefining sports, Jeff Bozier, Jr. eagerly anticipates contributing to the ongoing growth and evolution of combat sports. His journey stands as a testament to his unwavering commitment and unbridled passion for mastering various fighting disciplines.
Whether you’re looking to hone your striking skills, master the art of the eight limbs, or step into the world of mixed martial arts, Jeff Bozier is the coach who’ll guide, challenge, and inspire you every step of the way. Join him to embark on a martial arts journey that promises growth, grit, and glory.
Justin Granger
Justin is an experienced and dedicated Muay Thai practitioner, with over a decade of training under his belt and 5+ years of teaching experience. Having had some trained in Thailand, he has an understanding of the authentic techniques and principles of the discipline.
As a fighter, Justin has a 2-2 record, which attests to his skill level and dedication in the ring. As a teacher, he prides himself on focusing on the fundamentals of Muay Thai – balance, footwork, and solid structure. Through his teaching, Justin aims to help his students develop a strong foundation that will allow them to progress and excel in the sport. His approach is always patient and supportive, and he deeply values creating a positive and inclusive community within the gym.
For Justin, Muay Thai is more than just a sport. He is greatly committed to continuing his own training and education, and is always looking for new ways to deepen his understanding of this incredible discipline.