From the Japanese JuJutsu it’s more commonly known for its westernized version Jiu-Jitsu.
“Jū” can be translated to mean “gentle, soft, or flexible”, while “Jutsu” – to mean “art” or “technique”. Thus jiu-jitsu represents manipulating the opponent’s force against himself rather than confronting it with one’s own force.
The fact that many renowned surfers, including Kelly Slater, are in love with jiu-jitsu is not a coincidence. First of all, jiu-jitsu is a terrific workout that improves conditioning and muscle mass while burning fat. In relation to surfing, it’s quite simple — more muscle, more endurance, more waves. Moreover, jiu-jitsu takes your reaction and balance to the next level which means a better performance on water!
Finally, practising jiu-jitsu has a tremendous effect on overall confidence and self-control, which are among the key qualities required for progressive and joyful surfing.
