Jiu Jitsu is more accessible than it has ever been. Historically, Jiu Jitsu academies were territorial and closed off to outsiders; however, today it is common to drop into academies when traveling. There are a lot of reasons to pack a gi when on the road too. Access to top tier instructors and competitors, learning new techniques, making friends, and sharing the art. The places you are visiting don’t know you, so here are a few things to consider when on the road.
How to travel and train smart:
Call ahead.
It’s always a good idea to reach out to an academy in advance. Sometimes they can get you waivers before you show up. Some require drop-in fees or want you to rent their attire. Some of this can be expensive, and sometimes it’s worth it. The Art of Jiu Jitsu and Atos are known to do this, and other academies care less about this. Some don’t want drop-in fees, but they might have other requirements like only white or blue gis, which is fairly common. They might require everyone to wear rashguards under gis or have other requirements. Know before you pack.
[Community: The Heartbeat of Easton Training Center]
Drop-in fees.
Sometimes they can be expensive, but most of the time the cost is fairly nominal. Sometimes it is nothing. It seems like anyone in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu knows Professors Amal and Eliot, so you can always find a spot that gives us the red carpet. Some academies have refused drop-in fees simply because they know Easton is respected and has good Jiu Jitsu. If they refuse a $10 or $30 drop-in fee, support their academy however you can. Buy your friend a t shirt. Buy a hat or rashguard. Most academies in vacation spots sit on some pricey real estate, making sure they can pay the rent is always a must.
Just like at Eason, having a clean gi, trimmed nails and being on time is important. Some academies start on Brazilian time. Surfight sometimes starts when the surfing is over, which is awesome, and the break is just down the street.
Be cool.
You’re there to learn, not to win. As Professor Peter Straub has been known to say, “we’re here to get better, not to find out who’s best.” You don’t have to tap everyone or go hard, and you might expect to get partnered up with a mat enforcer in some places. This is all normal. They don’t know you, and while the Easton patch gives us a lot of credibility, it’s also a lot of responsibility. It’s our chance to be good ambassadors and share a positive experience.
Stay safe.
All academies have different levels. Some approach every round as if it is the last day of world’s, and some adjust the level of intensity depending on upcoming competitions, the room or other circumstances. Some submissions you may be unfamiliar with are in play at other academies, in a gi or not.
Know what room you’re in, and adjust your Jiu Jitsu accordingly. The first thing in Jiu Jitsu is staying safe. You can always tap if something isn’t right. Most places are incredibly nice and welcoming, so rough treatment is rare these days, but it is still essential to know your fundamentals and be ready for anything. Your safety is your responsibility. No point in getting stacked on your neck while on vacation just to avoid tapping. No biggie.
Consider private lessons.
If you are in town for a bit and have the means, hit up the main professor or their coach for a private lesson. It’s a great way to support their academy and they’ll appreciate it. When you support coaches and academies like this, they really make sure you are taken care of and lean more than you can remember. They’ll also remember you when you show up to open mat later, and you’ll end up with friends that only Jiu Jitsu gets you.
There is a good chance one of your friends or coaches knows and academy or is friends with a Professor who can recommend a good place to train. The Easton fam knows people everywhere. Lots of people in Colorado came from somewhere else and have connections to other academies, and many of us have built friends and relationships over the years and years of doing Jiu Jitsu. You might know people from competition and should drop in on them at their home academy.
Ask around.
Lastly, get some recommendations from people on the mat. They always know the best places to eat, surf or places to see that the typical tourist might not know about. They also know what’s hype and what’s worth spending your precious vacation time on. Take lots of pictures and stay in touch.
Over the years you’ll be amazed at how many awesome people you become friends with all over the globe because of BJJ. Locals know the uncrowded hikes or best taco in SoCal. Then come show us what you learned in Brazil or Japan. Share the art.
