Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ) is one of the fastest growing martial arts on the planet, and Santa Cruz offers a variety of options for those looking to start or continue their BJJ journey. Whether you're looking for self-defense, sport, a healthy community, or just a fun way to get in shape, Santa Cruz has a BJJ academy for you. This guide will help you navigate the BJJ scene in Santa Cruz, highlighting top academies, training programs, and what to expect from your BJJ experience.
What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art and combat sport system that focuses on grappling, with particular emphasis on ground fighting. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was developed from Kodokan judo ground fighting (newaza) fundamentals that were taught by a number of Japanese individuals including Takeo Yano and Mitsuyo Maeda. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu eventually came to be its own defined combat sport through the innovations, practices, and adaptation of judo.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s origins is founded on the concept that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend themselves against a bigger, stronger, opponent by using proper technique and leverage. Sparring (commonly referred to as “rolling”) and live drilling play an important role in training and the practitioner’s development.
Finding the Right Academy in Santa Cruz
The success of your jiu-jitsu journey will rely heavily on the culture of the school you attend and instructional methods utilized by your teachers. Here are some top academies in Santa Cruz to consider:
Garth Taylor Jiu-Jitsu
Welcome to Garth Taylor Jiu-Jitsu, Santa Cruz's premier Martial Arts Academy. If you're looking for self-defence, sport, a healthy community, or just a fun way to get in shape, Garth Taylor Jiu-Jitsu is the place for you. Start your journey into the martial arts today.
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Instructors:
- Garth Taylor: A wrestler in his youth, Garth Taylor began his journey in Jiu-Jitsu in 1994. He soon became a local legend by winning the US Open in Santa Cruz five times in the Ultra Heavy and Absolute divisions at Blue, Purple, Brown, and Black Belt.
- Stout: Stout started training Jiu-Jitsu with Garth Taylor and Paul Schreiner in October 2009 as a guy in his early 30s who was interested in focusing on his health. He has been teaching since 2016 and it continues to be immensely gratifying for him whether it’s a comprehensive class or a beginning fundamentals class.
- Luke: Luke has been training in bjj since the age of 17 and was immediately hooked on both the physical and technical aspects of training.
- Chris: Chris started practicing Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 16. As a kickboxing instructor Chris’s goal is to make the art of kickboxing easy and fun to learn.
- Brandon: Brandon moved to Santa Cruz in the summer of 2001, at the age of 17, and began training himself in boxing. He began helping coach the Westside youth program in 2016 and has never wanted to do anything else since.
- Jerome: Jerome began training martial arts at the age of 14 under the watchful eye of Francis Farley. Since then, he has won gold at multiple tournaments such as Allstars, Jiu Jitsu by the Bay, NAGA and Jiu Jitsu World League.
- Desmond: Desmond competed in just about all of the major competitions the west coast had to offer: US Nationals, US Open, All Stars, Pan Ams, and the World Championships.
- Colton: Colton's journey in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu started at just 6 years of age under the guidance of Garth Taylor, laying the foundation for a lifelong passion for the sport.
- Kajahl: Kajahl began his journey in martial arts over a decade ago, immersing himself in Dutch-Style Kickboxing, Muay Thai, and Boxing.
- Elena: Elena is a Santa Cruz local whose journey in martial arts began at Garth Taylor Jiu-Jitsu in January 2020.
- Steve: Steve is a seasoned practitioner of Jiu-Jitsu with over a decade of experience in the art.
- Robert Terrence: Introducing Robert Terrence, our esteemed boxing coach, whose illustrious career in the martial arts world is marked by a long list of accomplishments.
- Colin: Colin is a distinguished leader in our kids' Jiu-Jitsu program.
Programs Offered:
- Fundamentals Class: The perfect place to start for students new to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The fundamentals class focuses on the basic body mechanics and movements essential to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
- Community Class: This class, in which all belts train and work together, is a great opportunity to train with and learn from senior students.
- Women's Class: The close quarters contact of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can be a deterrent to women wanting to learn this essential defensive martial art.
- No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu: In this class we forego the traditional Jiu-Jitsu uniform or Gi. Without the traditional uniform, students focus on learning to control the body and limbs of the opponent without the benefit of gripping the GI. No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu is fast and fun.
- Grom Class: In this fun and focused class your child will learn the building blocks of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Students will learn the simple gymnastistics of rolling and falling.
- Menehunes: While maintaining a consistent focus on the foundational movements of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, GTJJ’s Menehunes learn the advanced skills of real world self defence and the intracacies of sport Jiu-Jitsu.
- Muay Thai Kickboxing: A fun and exciting Muay Thai Kickboxing class with concepts based on focus and technical drills, these are the basic biomechanics that make Kickboxing easily accessible to everyone.
- Kids Kickboxing: This fun, fast paced, light contact class focuses on the fundamentals of Kickboxing. Kids Kickboxing emphasises defence and footwork first, then teaching students to safely kick and punch.
Claudio França BJJ
Claudio França BJJ offers Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training that includes self-defense training, discipline training, fitness training, and sport training. Classes use a community-based method of instruction that integrates beginners into ongoing classes with advanced students. Newcomers learn from class instructors and more experienced students, with a focus on a friendly, respectful, family environment and dojo etiquette guidelines that emphasize respect, hygiene, safety, and proper behavior.
The program’s mission states that teaching the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is very important at Claudio França BJJ, with instructors guiding, instructing, and motivating members and focusing on building positive role models in local communities. The mission also states that the academies focus on helping parents raise their children to be confident leaders, boost their self-esteem, feel healthy, and get in great physical shape, and that training and mentorship are used to help students develop strong values, leadership skills, and a spirit of respect.
Instructors: All classes are taught by qualified instructors who are chosen based on teaching ability, technical knowledge, personal integrity, patience, and dedication to the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and the leadership team includes Claudio, Erik, Tyson, and Claudio França.
Programs Offered:
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Ages: 5-19 years old)
The program highlights that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is described as the most complete self-defense system in which a person can be trained, and that training focuses on self-confidence, self-esteem, improved focus, physical strength, and positive social interaction. Members are taught to set goals, work hard, and follow through while having fun and making friends, and the program states that Jiu Jitsu can provide families with a lifetime of shared memories, personal growth, and common interest.
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The program notes that it offers special offers such as a first class free and free trial or one day pass options.
Certified Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Training Centers (CTCs)
Certified Gracie Jiu-jitsu Training Centers (CTCs) are martial arts schools that are authorized to teach the proprietary self-defense programs developed by Gracie University Headquarters in Torrance, California. While most BJJ schools have taken a “one-size-fits-all” approach to teaching the art, Gracie University has gone to great lengths to create specific programs for each demographic: Gracie Bullyproof for kids (ages 3-12), Women Empowered for the ladies, Gracie Combatives for beginner adults, and the Master Cycle for advanced practitioners. Each program adheres to a set curriculum, so students know exactly what they will learn before they come to class.
Every student is issued an attendance card on which we track daily progress, so they can see how much they’ve accomplished and exactly what it will take to move on to the next level.
At our CTCs, safety is the number one priority. Firstly, there is no competitive sparring in our beginner programs. As a result, you’ll have a chance to learn all the beginner techniques in a fully-cooperative environment, with like-minded training partners, for 8-12 months. Once you move on to the advanced program, and you begin sparring, you will have the benefit of working with training partners, of every skill level, who are working with you rather than against you. This culture of collaboration and mutual benefit is extremely rare in jiu-jitsu, and we go to great lengths to make sure it is upheld at all of our CTCs.
When it was originally founded by Grand Masters Carlos and Helio Gracie in the early 1900’s, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu only had one purpose - effectiveness in real fights. At all Certified Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Training Centers, street self-defense remains the top priority throughout all of our training programs. From your very first class, every technique you learn was specifically chosen due to it’s like likelihood of being used, and proven effectiveness, in real combat.
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Upon enrolling at this Certified Training Center, you will receive a free subscription to Gracie University Online. Furthermore, as an active student at this Certified Training Center, you’ll qualify to train for free at any other Certified Training Center on the planet (for up to 30 consecutive days per year).
Dojo Etiquette and Training Environment
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Dojos tend to teach in a more relaxed and less rigid atmosphere than traditional martial arts. Always show respect to your instructors, training partners, and fellow human beings. Respect in training means: do not seek to harm fellow students physically (e.g., by cranking a submission harder than necessary to make them tap) or emotionally (i.e., by calling them names or making jokes about hurting them). Respect also means that you must train seriously and hard enough for you and your partner to improve his or her skills, conditioning, and fighting spirit.
Hygiene and Conduct:
- Maintain good hygiene (i.e., shower and brush your teeth regularly).
- Bring a clean, dry gi to each class.
- Do not walk outside with bare feet. If you have to go outside, wear sandals or shoes.
- Do not shout loudly or use profanity in the dojo.
- Do not talk while the instructor is talking.
- Stand, sit with your legs crossed, or kneel during class. No lounging.
- Please wear your gi, a T-shirt, or a tank top while in public areas of the Dojo. No bare backs.
- Keep cell phones off during class.
- If the instructor has not changed the task, then continue doing the task he or she has given (i.e., don’t sit around talking because you feel you have done a technique enough times).
The Smaller Grappler's Advantage
Here’s something that might surprise you: being the smallest person on the mats is actually your greatest advantage in jiu-jitsu. Jiu-jitsu was specifically designed for smaller, less athletic practitioners to overcome larger, stronger opponents through leverage and technique. When you can’t rely on strength or size, you’re forced to develop pristine technique.
Tips for Smaller Grapplers:
- Remember this: you have complete control over who you roll with. Never feel obligated to accept a roll that makes you uncomfortable.
- Think of it like leveling up in a video game. Start with partners your size, then gradually work with slightly larger training partners as your confidence grows. Yes, you’ll face some challenges, but that’s where the real growth happens.
- Know what makes a great academy even better? Open communication. If someone’s going too hard or you’re feeling unsafe, talk to your coaches. We’re here to ensure you have a safe, enjoyable training experience.
If you’re blessed with size and strength and you’re reading this - remember that technical development benefits everyone. Focus on technique over power when training with smaller partners.
The journey of a smaller grappler is unique and incredibly rewarding. While it might seem challenging now, you’re developing skills that will serve you for life. learn to embrace the challenges. Getting comfortable with temporary setbacks while focusing on long-term improvement isn’t just good jiu-jitsu philosophy - it’s a life skill.
Community and Reviews
Parent and student reviews describe the school as having a positive atmosphere with knowledgeable instructors, a ton of space for rolling, and a clean, safe environment. Reviews also mention tolerant, helpful, and kind peers and mentors, a very friendly and professional environment, and instructors and members who are helpful and friendly.
Here is a table summarizing the key aspects of each academy:
| Academy | Focus | Programs | Community |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garth Taylor Jiu-Jitsu | Self-defense, sport, fitness | Fundamentals, Community, Women's, No-Gi, Kids | Healthy, fun, inclusive |
| Claudio França BJJ | Self-defense, discipline, fitness, sport | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Ages 5-19) | Friendly, respectful, family-oriented |
| Certified Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Training Centers (CTCs) | Street self-defense | Gracie Bullyproof, Women Empowered, Gracie Combatives, Master Cycle | Collaborative, safety-focused |