Paul and Garth are the heart of the West Cliff Jiu Jitsu Club. They have taken what they have learned in Brazil and from their instructors and combined it with their dedication to the community – resulting in an exceptional level of instruction. The West Cliff Jiu Jitsu Club is more than a place to learn and practice Jiu Jitsu. It is a philosophy of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, rooted in this surfing community, as a way of life.
Paul and Garth: “We are committed to teaching the highest quality Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. We believe the study of Jiu Jitsu to be a life-long process of learning, self-discovery and technical refinement. Our approach is to help students build a solid foundation, rooted in self-defense and the cannon of traditional Brazilian Jiu Jitsu techniques. Such a foundation is capable of supporting effective self-defense, competition Jiu Jitsu with and without the Gi, and MMA.”
Q: What is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?
A: Jiu Jitsu translates as ‘the gentle art’. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a proven system of self defense and martial grappling that emphasizes leverage thus enabling the Jiu Jitsu practitioner to survive, control position and submit a bigger, stronger opponent. Here is an excellent definition of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from the Renzo Gracie website:
“Brazilian jiu jitsu is a grappling-based martial art whose central theme is the skill of controlling a resisting opponent in ways that force him to submit. Due to the fact that control is generally easier on the ground than in a standing position, much of the technique of Brazilian jiu jitsu is centered round the skill of taking an opponent down to the ground and wrestling for dominant control positions from where the opponent can be rendered harmless. To control and overcome greater size, strength and aggression with lesser size and strength is the keynote of the sport. This is done by utilizing superior leverage, grip and position upon your opponent. Students of the sport gain a deep understanding of the workings and limits of the human body. This knowledge can be used to subdue and control an opponent with whatever level of severity the student chooses. The path to this knowledge is physically and mentally demanding. Students benefit from greatly increased physical fitness, problem-solving ability, self-knowledge of their body and mind and the many social benefits of working within a large group of like-minded fellow students as you learn and have fun together. ”
“Many students first learn about jiu jitsu through the great popularity of mixed martial arts (MMA) competition, where Brazilian jiu jitsu technique is very prominent. Indeed, the beginnings of the contemporary MMA competition were largely tied up with proving the combat-efficiency of Brazilian jiu jitsu . The practice of Brazilian jiu jitsu as a sport, however, is strongly separated from MMA. Daily classes do not feature kicking or punching. The focus is on safe grappling technique that can be done on a daily basis with no more fear of injury than any other contact sport.” – John Danaher
Q: What is the difference between Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo and Japanese Jiu Jitsu?
A: Although many techniques are shared between Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo and Japanese Jiu Jitsu, the arts themselves have diverged drastically. In the case of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Judo, different objectives and resulting rules of competition have led to divergent yet similar arts. In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu escalating control resulting in a submission is both the martial goal and the path for victory in competition. The trajectory of BJJ’s technical evolution has followed suit. In Judo, while possible to win with a submission hold, the rules regarding submission are highly restrictive and artificial. The emphasis instead is on throwing techniques – in competition matches are won by throwing ones opponent on their back (this is a simplification of Judo rules). As a result Judoka (Judo practitioners) have developed the most effective, efficient and beautiful throwing techniques. While Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Judo have benefited from a martial culture of refinement, discovery and creative evolution, Japanese Jiu Jitsu has for the most part remained insular. Most Japanese Jiu Jitsu schools also ignore the importance of randori – live training against a resisting partner. The simple fact of life is that you get good at what you practice, if you practice simple and efficient techniques and principles against a resisting opponent, you will become efficient in executing your techniques against someone who is resisting. On the other hand, if you only practice Kata (forms practiced alone or with compliant partners) you will get good at Kata. The choice is yours.
Q: Is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu the same as Gracie Jiu Jitsu?
A: The terms Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Gracie Jiu Jitsu are often used interchangeably, and no real enforceable guideline exists for a distinction between the two. A Japanese judoka, prizefighter, and former member of the Kodokan named Mitsuyo Maeda, also known as Count Koma, emigrated to Brazil in the 1910s where a local influential businessman named Gastão Gracie helped him get established. In return for his aid, Maeda taught Jiu-Jitsu to Gastão’s son Carlos, who then taught the art to his brothers, including Hélio Gracie. Hélio had the opportunity to teach a class one day while Carlos was absent. He realized that most of the techniques could be adapted in a way to increase leverage therefore minimizing the force that needed to be exerted to execute the moves. Through Hélio’s experiments, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as we know it today was created. Today, all Brazilian/Gracie Jiu Jitsu students can ultimately be traced back to the Gracie brothers.
While the techniques and terminology are basically the same, many instructors have their own individual styles or points they tend to emphasize in the art, even within the Gracie family themselves! Often times Gracie Jiu Jitsu is thought of as more self defense oriented and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is more sport oriented – this can be true but is not necessarily the case. Many schools neglect self defense which is the foundation of Jiu Jitsu – sport or otherwise. With the spread of Jiu Jitsu world wide, it is wise for the student to investigate the credentials of an instructor as well as a careful analysis of their teaching ability, as opposed to merely relying on a brand name.
Q: What is your approach to teaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at Kaijin / WestCliff Jiu Jitsu Club?
A: At Kaijin / WCJJC we are committed to teaching the techniques, history and practice of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as a Martial Art. We teach our students a strong technical foundation of ‘advanced basics’ focused more on the depth of understanding than the breadth or volume of techniques. Both Garth and Paul teach in an easy to understand, principle based format. Technical experimentation and creativity are encouraged. Movement drills are often utilized to help students develop the requisite coordination, flexibility and stamina to train BJJ. We believe that the practice of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as a whole is something more than the sum of its parts. While the techniques of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu have been proven to be the most effective and efficient, the spirit of Jiu Jitsu is not contained solely within the techniques. “Technical knowledge is not enough. One must transcend techniques so that the art becomes an artless art, growing out of the unconscious.” – Daisetsu Suzuki. What we try to transmit to our students is the spirit of the art – the awareness and confidence that develops when we become the techniques and the techniques become us. We strive to teach our students how to live “the gentle art”.
Q: Do you teach basic self defense at Kaijin / WestCliff Jiu Jitsu Club?
A: Yes. We believe self defense is the foundation of good Jiu Jitsu. The techniques, leverage, movement and strategy of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu self defense lay the foundation for high level, high quality BJJ.
Q: Who teaches the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Classes?
A: Garth Taylor and Paul Schreiner teach all the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes. Both Garth and Paul received all their belts, including their Black Belts from Claudio Franca. They are both experienced coaches and competitors.
Q: Do I need to have experience to start training at WCJJC?
A: No. Our classes – particularly our Jiu Jitsu 101 classes, are designed to teach the techniques, strategy and spirit of Jiu Jitsu from the ground up.
Q: What is the difference between Gi and No-Gi Jiu Jitsu?
A: In general the techniques of Gi and No-Gi Jiu Jitsu are very similar. After all, we are trying to control our opponent – not their clothes. Training in the Gi ensures us that we develop the finest technique because the Gi reduces our ability to slip and thrash out of our opponents control and submission holds. The Gi also helps us develop a unique sensitivity and precision in both our control and movement. It teaches us to flow around doors that are locked, not fight against them. No-Gi is often a faster game and generally simpler as many of the technical Gi oriented means of control are not available without the Gi. We strongly recommend that new students start with the Gi classes before starting to train without the Gi.
Q: What about all the sparring?
A: The idea of sparring can seem really intimidating when you walk in the door. Don’t worry – we will ease you into sparring as you become comfortable with the techniques. When students start sparring is largely based on their individual readiness. In the beginning we start students sparring within certain parameters, at less than full resistance and with senior students and instructors. Sparring is an extremely important tool in our understanding of what works and what doesn’t and allows us to gain real confidence in our technique.
Q: Do I have to compete?
A: The short answer is you absolutely do not have to compete. That said, the pressure of competition can be a powerful learning tool and can potentially accelerate your progression in BJJ and you may choose to compete. Some of our students here at WCJJC compete, most do not. Our mission as instructors is to create a positive, challenging and safe learning environment where everyone can have fun and learn Jiu Jitsu in order to live better, healthier lives. We are committed to this larger vision rather than focusing on the short term rewards offered by tournaments. If competition is your thing however, WCJJC is a great place to train – we have a host of successful competitors training here everyday and are visited regularly by some of the top Jiu Jitsu players in the world.
Q: What is the difference between Kaijin and West Cliff Jiu Jitsu Club (WCJJC)?
A: Kaijin (which means ‘Human Monster’ in Japanese) is the name of our gym and includes all our offerings – Kickboxing, Jiu Jitsu, Wrestling, Boxing and Yoga. West Cliff Jiu Jitsu Club is simply the name of the Jiu Jitsu program within Kaijin.
Q: How do the belts work?
A: The basic belt order for adults is white < blue < purple < brown <black. Generally it takes between 1 and 4 years to advance a belt rank. There is no formula however and progression is highly dependent on an individual students aptitude, ability, technical knowledge and attitude. Stripes may be used to show progression between belt levels. After black belt, the degree system is to designate active time in the art. 7th degree becomes a red and black belt. 10th degree is reserved for the founders of the art, the brothers Carlos, Gastao, Jorge, Oswaldo and Helio Gracie.
Q: What about belts for kids?
A: The order for kids belts is white < grey < yellow < orange < green. After 16 years of age the student becomes eligible to be promoted to blue belt.