Lewes studio welcomes master grappler from Philadelphia

Cameron Jahnigen had her husband Zach in a sturdy headlock, her arm hooked around his jugular. As his complexion verged on purple, he managed a wink.

“Spousal abuse,” he croaked.

The Jahnigens study Brazilian jujitsu at Rip Tide, a Lewes studio located across from Fisherman’s Wharf. Three times a week, they join 10 to 12 other students to learn the art of grappling from Shawn Bodio, owner and teacher.

“We focus on dominating our opponents,” Bodio said, explaining domination really happens once the battle is on the floor.

“The idea is to take the opponent down,” Bodio said. Once on the ground, he said, various techniques are used to establish and maintain control. Frank Cherrix demonstrated “shrimping,” a folding movement that allowed him to move quickly across the mat.

“You take your standard bar fight,” he said. “It never, ever stays standing up. It almost always moves to the ground.”

Bodio said he discovered Brazilian jujitsu while working as a contractor in Philadelphia. Finding little to occupy his nights, he joined the Maxercise fitness club. He trained under John DiSimone, a world-class wrestler with a brown belt in judo.

Bodio eventually moved to southern Delaware. Commuting to Philadelphia would be too demanding, and the closest studio – Southside, in Salisbury, Md. – was a hike, too. DiSimone encouraged him to open up his own studio. Rip Tide was born.

DiSimone caught up with his student Nov. 20, dropping by Rip Tide to train with Bodio’s wrestlers. He was impressed.

“I’m going to try and make it down more often,” he said.

Rip Tide students come for a variety of reasons, Bodio said. Some come for the adrenaline. Others come for a great workout.

“I’ve lost so much weight,” said Yanni Tsolakis, one of Bodio’s students. “And it’s so much fun.”

Bodio charges $75 a month for a year contract, or $95 a month for a six-month contract – the uniforms come free.

Brazilian jujitsu originated from the teachings of Mitsuyo Maeda, a Japanese judo master who settled in Brazil. He took on a student, Carlos Gracie, who opened the first Brazilian jujitsu studio in 1925. The discipline has grown in America with the popularity of mixed martial arts fighting, and Bodio says Rip Tide has been warmly received by the community.
“It’s been good,” Bodio said. “Very good.”

Call Rip Tide at 302-745-9860 or goto riptidebjj.com