Flow State Warriors: Why Surfing and Brazilian Jiujitsu Go Hand in Hand
- maharajiujitsu
- Jun 3
- 7 min read
Surfing and Jiujitsu are my passions, there is something undeniably magnetic about a surfer who trains Brazilian Jiujitsu, or a grappler who finds solace in the sea. You see it more and more: folk who can duck dive clean through a five-foot set at Uluwatu in the morning, and by evening, are rolling into spider guard like it’s second nature.
It might seem like an odd crossover at first—surfing and a martial art that evolved from the battlefields of Japan to the favelas of Brazil. But scratch beneath the surface and the similarities run deep. Both demand fluid movement, mental resilience, and an intimate relationship with discomfort. Both have an unspoken rule: leave your ego at the door (or shoreline).
As it turns out, these two worlds aren’t just connected; they’re complementary in a way that keeps the body healthy, the mind sharp, and the soul at ease. Whether you're chasing barrels or chasing submissions, this blog is a deep dive into why surfing and Jiujitsu go together like wax on a board and tape on fingers.
From pro surfers rolling at Atos to mat-heads paddling out at dawn, there’s a growing tribe living a dual life of salt and sweat. And it makes sense. Because when you understand flow, pressure, rhythm, and adaptation, you realise both surfing and BJJ are just languages spoken with different accents.
So let's unpack the overlap, see who’s doing it at the highest levels, and break down how surfing and Brazilian Jiujitsu make each other better. Not just for the body, but for the mind and life itself.
The Origins and Cultures of Surfing and BJJ
The Saltwater Start: Surfing's Roots
Surfing is ancient. Polynesians were riding waves long before Western explorers could swim. It was more than just a pastime—it was spiritual, a rite of passage, a form of worship and warrior training. Chiefs surfed the biggest waves, and your place in the lineup said a lot about your mana (life force or prestige).
Fast forward to modern times, and surfing evolved into a lifestyle centered on freedom, nature, and expression. From the shores of Hawaii to the gold-speckled beaches of Rio, it became a global subculture that embraced minimalism, rebellion, and flow.
From Samurai to the Streets: BJJ's Roots
Brazilian Jiujitsu began as a derivative of Japanese Jujutsu, brought to Brazil in the early 1900s by Mitsuyo Maeda, a Judo master and seasoned fighter. The Gracie family saw its potential and reshaped it into what we now call Brazilian Jiujitsu.
From its gritty dojo origins to today’s polished academies, BJJ has always celebrated adaptability and leverage over brute strength. It’s about problem solving under pressure, finding calm in chaos, and continuously evolving. A white belt survives. A black belt flows.
The Vibe Check: How They Align
Surfing and BJJ both carry an air of counterculture. They’re not just sports; they’re lifestyles. The surf community and the BJJ academy both thrive on unspoken respect, tradition, and a deep love for the journey. Each has its own form of tribal identity, its own hierarchy, rituals, and even fashion. (You could argue that a surfboard quiver is the surfer's belt system.)
Both cultures also prioritise humility. You can be a local legend in one break or one gym, but you paddle out at Pipeline or walk into AOJ, and suddenly you're a nobody again. It resets you.
So when you step back, the cultural overlap is more than a coincidence—it's a philosophical handshake between two disciplines that thrive on connection, challenge, and transformation.
Physical and Neurological Parallels
Surfing and Brazilian Jiujitsu both demand total-body awareness and a calm mind under pressure. They force you to read, adapt, and flow through constantly changing conditions—whether that's a heaving reef break or a rapidly shifting guard.
On a physical level, both require excellent core strength, fluid hip movement, and balance. Pop-ups in surfing echo technical stand-ups on the mat. Shrimping, bridging, and hip escapes aren’t just drills—they're body mechanics that make paddling stronger, stance control tighter, and transitions smoother. You don't just build muscles; you build instincts.
At a neurological level, both sports wire your brain for fast problem-solving and spatial
awareness. You have to feel the weight shift of your opponent or the suck and pull of a wave and respond without thinking. This is proprioception—your body knowing where it is in space without conscious thought. And in both surfing and Jiujitsu, it’s king.
As someone who trains both regularly, the crossover is undeniable. At 43, I still feel amazing after a double session, but it’s no longer about just going hard. Recovery, nutrition, and sleep are now part of the game plan. You have to manage your body smartly to keep showing up.
4. Flow State and the Mental Connection
The term "flow state"—coined by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi—describes a mental space where action and awareness merge, and time seems to disappear. It's the zone where you’re so immersed in what you’re doing that everything else fades away.
This is where surfing and Jiujitsu truly meet. Whether you’re paddling into a wave or working through a tight passing sequence, you lose yourself in the moment. There’s no room for stress about your inbox or bills or arguments. It’s pure presence.
Both practices serve as mental anchors. They force the mind to take a breath, to shift out of high-alert survival mode and into the now. You can't fake it in the ocean or on the mats. You're either there or you're not.
At Mahara Jiujitsu in Exmouth, I see this all the time. Whether it's a blue belt grinding through rounds after a rough week or a surfer just back from a mellow session at Saunton, there's a clarity that comes after training. It's therapy without the couch.
Cross-Training: Why They Complement Each Other
Let’s break it down:
Mobility & Flexibility – The movements in BJJ—especially escapes and transitions—translate directly into better hip and shoulder mobility for surfing. Less injury, more torque, better control.
Balance & Stability – Every surfer knows the value of core strength and centre line stability. Every grappler knows what happens when you lose your base. Same principles, different settings.
Explosive Power & Endurance – Rolling builds cardio and grip strength like nothing else. That same endurance helps during long paddles and big hold-downs.
Mindset – When you train both, you learn to stay calm under pressure. That mindset can mean the difference between panicking in a heavy set or thinking your way out of a bad spot in side control.
Together, they create a hybrid athlete—agile, resilient, tuned in.
Professional Surfers Who Train BJJ
Let’s talk real-world examples. Joel Tudor is perhaps the poster boy of the surf/BJJ crossover. A longboard world champ and legit BJJ black belt under Rodrigo Medeiros, Tudor’s mat game is as stylish as his surfing.
Kelly Slater has dabbled in Jiujitsu and has spoken about the benefits of grappling in interviews. Raimana Van Bastolaer, the Tahitian waterman and tow-in legend, has trained BJJ. Laird Hamilton—more of a cross-training guru than anyone—used grappling as part of his recovery and breath control routines.
It’s no longer rare to see boards in the car boot next to gis and kettlebells.
7. Mental Health Benefits: Surf Therapy and Mat Therapy
Both surfing and BJJ have been used in therapy for good reason. Surf therapy programs exist for veterans, children with autism, and people with depression. Jiujitsu academies have become safe havens for those struggling with anxiety, trauma, or isolation.
The common thread? A non-verbal, immersive experience that reconnects body and mind.
Anchors matter. They give your mind room to breathe. In the water or on the mat, you're not your job title, your trauma, or your bank balance. You're just a person, present, adapting to what’s in front of you.
Training consistently in both disciplines gives you structure. At Mahara Jiujitsu, we see members transform not just physically, but emotionally. Some arrive burnt out and find a second wind through the tribe, the sweat, and the stillness that follows.
Injury Prevention and Longevity
Surfing can be hard on the shoulders, lower back, and knees. BJJ, likewise, can strain joints and soft tissues when approached carelessly. But when practiced smartly, they can actually reinforce each other.
Mobility drills from Jiujitsu—shrimping, shoulder rolls, and guard work—build joint resilience for pop-ups and wipeouts.
Surf fitness—paddling and ocean cardio—keeps you agile and lean for the mats.
Cross-training builds a more complete athlete. At 43, I’ve learned that it’s not about going hard—it’s about going smart. The body recovers better with good fuel, proper sleep, and knowing when to push and when to paddle in.
Lifestyle, Identity, and Culture Crossover
Let’s not overlook the lifestyle. BJJ and surfing are full-send pursuits. You don’t just dip a toe—you live them. The wetsuit and the gi. The surfboard quiver and the stripe on your belt. The quiet mornings at the break and the late-night open mats. They shape how you move, dress, think.
They’re both tribal. Whether it's Mahara Jiujitsu in Devon or a dawn patrol crew at Croyde
Bay, you find your people. You learn from those ahead, and you pass it on to those behind.
You also develop a sense of identity rooted in self-reliance and humility. Whether it’s learning to fall better or hold your breath longer, you become more adaptable—not just in sport, but in life.
Riding the Wave On and Off the Mat
Surfing and Brazilian Jiujitsu aren’t just hobbies. They’re systems of growth, pathways to presence, and mirrors for the self.
Together, they sharpen your edges while softening your mind. One teaches you to dance with the ocean; the other teaches you to dance with chaos.
If you’re lucky enough to do both, you already know: they don't just go together well—they complete each other.
SEE YOU ON THE MAT
ADZ
Comentários