As an ambassador of the art of Jiu Jitsu I am always telling friends, with kids, about the benefits of Jiu Jitsu. Sure Tae Kwondo is a good 'entry' level martial art (or if the child would like to be a dancer - TKD would be a great choice instead). It's fun for kids...bright coloured kimono's and belts PLUS music to fight to...but for efficient self defense - Jiu Jitsu is the martial art that will help a child most.

With summer fast approaching you must be thinking of a vacation. Don't miss the chance to take part in the Jorge Britto / Vini Aieta Summer BJJ Camp in Rio. Here is a new video from the hosts at Rio Sports Tour

Some more highlights includingmy teammates, the Professor Britto Coconut Water taste test, some NOGI action..and a little dubstep...

It was a bright sunny morning in Toronto and the Jiu Jitsu fighters were gathering to compete, volunteer and spectate at Copa Ontario II...including Master Royler Gracie himself...

As I get deeper into Jiu Jitsu my mind is turning to one day teaching (see previous article). Obviously as a Blue Belt I still have a long long road ahead of me.

I look at the training facilities of Ryan Hall, Paulo Guillobel , Marcelo Garcia or Ari Bolden (Submissions101.com) on Twitter and Facebook and I see their spaces. Just a simple store front or loft space with mats on the floors and walls, a watercooler, registration desk and some place to change and they are set to go.

The next 2 weeks at Toronto BJJ will be great for the team.

We have the legendary Xande Ribeiro teaching all next week, Professor Britto returns from Brazil to the academy to lead the team into Copa Ontario and we have Master Royler Gracie returning for the second time for a special seminar with limited space.

I need to get back on a few wagon's I have fallen off.

The first is NO GI jiu jitsu. I went back to class on Monday Apr 5 after a long hiatus and was immediatly put to work. I think in 1 fight I was submitted about 10 times.

It's tough to transition to fighting without a GI. It frustrates me when I go for a grip and it simply isnt there. Or my hand slips right off my opponent. I think 'OK now what?' and then there is the speed. It's 10 times faster than with the GI and also your attack and reaction time is in milliseconds and not seconds which you can enjoy in the GI.

And when (if) I get to mount I don't seem to have too many options for submissions.

So why bother?

Football? Not me. World Cup 2010? Ok Maybe. I'll be surrounded by soccer fans anyways so I am sure I will get sucked into the football fever this summer. Toronto is very multi cultural and at times like this all the colours of the world's flags spill onto the streets.

But it's also getting deeper into our competition season.