The Similarities & Benefits of BJJ and Surfing -Coach Paul, Stadium MMA Port Orange

Stadium MMA is just a stone’s throw from the legendary Daytona Beach, so it’s no surprise that many of our members are devoted surfers - Coach Paul included. As a BJJ and Judo black belt, Paul took up surfing a year ago and noticed something incredible: his board time sharpened his jiu-jitsu. He’s been learning from our Daytona Beach native members, many of whom grew up on the waves, and he’s seen how balance, calm, and flow transfer from ocean to mat - and vice versa. Today, he wants to share how surfers can gain better skills through BJJ - and how grapplers can thrive catching waves. Here’s Coach Paul with his take:

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and surfing, share profound similarities that make them complementary pursuits for physical, mental, and emotional growth. By exploring their shared characteristics and advantages, we can appreciate how these disciplines cultivate resilience, focus, and a deeper connection to the self and the environment.

At their core, BJJ and surfing are rooted in flow and adaptability. In BJJ, practitioners navigate a dynamic exchange of techniques, responding to an opponent’s movements with precision and strategy. Similarly, surfing requires riders to adapt to the ever-changing patterns of waves, adjusting their balance and positioning in real time. This shared emphasis on flow teaches practitioners to remain present, reacting to challenges with composure rather than force. For example, a BJJ practitioner learns to escape a chokehold by staying calm and leveraging technique, much like a surfer learns to ride an unpredictable wave by reading its rhythm. This adaptability fosters mental clarity, as both activities reward those who can stay focused under pressure.

Both disciplines also develop significant physical conditioning, yet they emphasize functional fitness over brute strength. BJJ develops core strength, flexibility, and endurance to execute techniques like sweeps or submissions, engaging the entire body in a holistic workout. Surfing similarly challenges the body through paddling, balancing, and quick directional shifts, building strength, coordination, and cardiovascular health. Over time, participants notice improved overall fitness, resistance to injury, and enhanced body awareness. For instance, the explosive movements in surfing mirror the dynamic scrambles in BJJ, conditioning practitioners for agility and resilience in everyday life.

Mentally, BJJ and surfing cultivate patience and perseverance. In BJJ, progress is incremental mastering a single technique can take

months of practice, and tapping out to a more experienced opponent is a humbling norm. Similarly, surfers often spend hours waiting for the right wave, enduring wipeouts and learning from each fall. This shared journey of trial-and-error builds mental fortitude, teaching practitioners to embrace failure as a steppingstone to growth. The meditative quality of both activities further enhances mental health. Rolling on the mats or paddling in the ocean creates a space for mindfulness, where external distractions fade, and the practitioner becomes fully immersed in the moment.

Another striking similarity is the sense of community and connection both activities foster. BJJ academies are known for their tight-knit camaraderie, where training partners push each other to improve while building trust through shared struggle. Surfing communities, often centered around local beaches, share a similar bond, with surfers exchanging tips, stories, and respect for the ocean. These communities provide emotional support and a sense of belonging, enriching the practitioner’s social and emotional well-being.

The benefits of BJJ and surfing extend beyond the physical and mental to a deeper connection with one’s environment. Surfing fosters an intimate relationship with nature, as riders learn to respect the ocean’s power and rhythms. BJJ, while practiced indoors, connects practitioners to their bodies and the human experience, emphasizing humility and mutual respect. Together, these activities encourage a holistic approach to life, blending physical vigor with environmental and social awareness.

In conclusion, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and surfing share a remarkable synergy in their emphasis on flow, physicality, mental resilience, and community. Both challenge practitioners to adapt, persevere, and stay present, offering benefits like improved fitness, mental clarity, and a sense of belonging. Whether grappling on the mats or riding the waves, practitioners of BJJ and surfing discover not only skills but also a way of life that celebrates growth, connection, and harmony with the world around them.

Coach Paul 

What Our Surfing Members Say

Coach Paul isn’t the only one who’s noticed the crossover between surfing and BJJ. Many of our Stadium MMA members have years of experience in both and they’ve shared how training on the mats improves their wave-riding, and vice versa. Here’s what they had to say:

Rad:

"In both surfing and BJJ, balance is everything. You won’t stand up on a board—or pass someone’s guard—without engaging your core and staying centered. It’s also about reading what's in front of you. Whether it’s a wave or an opponent, you’ve got to anticipate, decide fast, and commit. The quick thinking and body control you develop in either will make you better at both."

Ivan:
"Surfing and Jiu-Jitsu both require total-body movement and constant adaptation. Every wave is different, just like every person you roll with. You never really know what’s coming next. That’s what keeps it exciting. Surfing is energy moving through water; BJJ is energy flowing between two people—and both keep you guessing, learning, and hooked."

Jack:
"Patience. That’s the biggest lesson both surfing and Jiu-Jitsu have taught me. If you rush into the wrong wave, you miss the good one—or wipe out. Same in Jiu-Jitsu: rush a move, and you open yourself up to a submission. But when you slow down and wait for the right moment, that’s when the magic happens."

Luke:
"I started surfing at 11 and BJJ at 20. Most people don’t realize how tough surfing is—it’s like running a mile while getting punched every 100 feet. Same with Jiu-Jitsu: your first six months, you lose constantly. But once you stick with it, you build a level of mental toughness that changes everything. Both sports force you to grow."

Further reading on the topic:

• Get Physical - How Surfing Can Benefit Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Athletes

• Jiu-Jitsu Legacy - Surfing and BJJ – What Are The Benefits?

• Surfline - How Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Can Improve Your Surfing

• Elite Sports - Why Do Surfing and Jiu-Jitsu Go Hand-in-Hand?
  Both surfers and grapplers thrive in tight-knit groups, fostering mutual support and shared passion.

Ready to Ride the Waves and Roll on the Mats?

If you’re a surfer in the Daytona area looking to level up both your board skills and your fitness, Jiu-Jitsu at Stadium MMA offers the perfect blend. Whether you're seeking balance, mental clarity, or a powerful community, BJJ complements your surfing in countless ways—and our gym in Port Orange is where it all comes together. Curious? Download our free 7-day pass and test it out for yourself - surf, roll, repeat.