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Surfight Jiu Jitsu
4.9 ★★★★★ 66 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Del Mar, California
Affiliated academy — reviews and the gym's own info point to a recognized BJJ lineage or affiliation (think Gracie Barra, 10th Planet, Renzo Gracie, Alliance, Atos or Checkmat). If lineage matters to you, ask which affiliation the academy belongs to and under whom the head instructor earned their black belt.
Plan your first class
- Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
- Membership memberships run around $20/mo — many academies also offer a discounted first month and family plans, so ask about new-member rates
- Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Kids & youth classes kids and youth BJJ classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Private lessons private, one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
- No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
- Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule surfightsd.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 760-717-6753
Hours
| Monday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Davey taught a great fundamental armbar class and was very detail oriented.”
“We were on vacation near Carlsbad, took the kids to Legoland, and stopped by Surf Fight BJJ in Del Mar for a session.”
“If you’re a high level competitor you’re going to get very high level training here too.”
“Got a chance to stop in at an open mat to watch him study and go over problem solving of unique positions.”
“Great place to train, especially if you are a beginner, great place to learn the values to be a martial artist, can’t wait to go back”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Amazing instructors, great training partners, and a phenomenal facility.”
“Great place to train, especially if you are a beginner, great place to learn the values to be a martial artist, can’t wait to go back”
“If you’re a day 1 beginner with no experience this is an incredible place that is very safe and friendly.”
“He teaches with knowledge and experience gained from many different instructors, which makes the techniques he shows very relatable to all styles.”
From the reviews
Joel is super cool! Got a chance to stop in at an open mat to watch him study and go over problem solving of unique positions. As an older guy who just turned 40 these guys understand how to be safe and still work. Sick vibe with a lot of good energy In the room. Joel is a gem at his own gym.
Surfight is a top notch world class gym. Amazing instructors, great training partners, and a phenomenal facility. If you’re a day 1 beginner with no experience this is an incredible place that is very safe and friendly. If you’re a high level competitor you’re going to get very high level training here too.
Surfight jiu jitsu was an extremely welcoming experience! Everyone is super chill, class technique is solid, rounds are respectful but challenging at the same time. Everyone is super friendly, overall great surf/San Diego vibes. Will definitely be returning!
I love this bjj spot. One of my favs in the world. Def my fav in San Diego. They’ve taught me so much. I love Magjid and Joel. Legends in the game we are lucky enough to learn from. Love their beginner program too. Will bring my kids here one day.
New to BJJ? Start at Surfight Jiu Jitsu
Surfight Jiu Jitsu comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never rolled or set foot on a mat, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard rolling — reputable gyms build fundamentals (positions, escapes, and basic submissions) for weeks, live rolling eases in gradually, and tapping early keeps every roll safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out, and leave your ego at the door. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first BJJ class at Surfight Jiu Jitsu
Nervous about walking into a BJJ gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic positions and escapes with a partner — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — many gyms lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi (or a rashguard and shorts for no-gi) and a mouthguard. Live rolling eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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