Listen: Former world #11 and martial artist Luke Stedman on the stunning simpatico between surfing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, “You have some dude sit on your face and rip your arm off, it’s so much fun! Getting beat up is a privilege right now! ”

A joyful excursion.

In this episode of Dirty Water, episode number forty-one, Charlie and I wander into Zoom’s virtual chat room with the former world number eleven, although he’ll claim that it was number ten, Luke Stedman.

Luke, whom I’ve known for two decade and who has so far avoided any sort of obvious age-related decay, is one of those rare surfers who, although never highly monied, flourished post tour.

He is the son of the man who created the billion-dollar ugg boot empire; is a part-time model; the proprietor of a clothing label (See the “Mohammad” shirt here); a surf coach to LA VALS as well as shredder kids; is a teacher of the western world’s next yoga-esque craze, ginastica natural; carries a purple belt in Brazilian jiujitsu (two rungs off black) and is a swordsman par excellence.

So good, in fact, even your ol pal DR was forced to bow to his superiority during a three-day long battle for a French television show host in Tahiti in the very early two thousands.

Much of the conversation contained in the interview centres around jiu-jitsu and why it has stolen the hearts of so many surfers.

As always, apologies for the production values, of which there is none.

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Groovy D
Groovy D
5 years ago

Good interview gents but would have liked to hear about the foray into the highly competitive surf fashion game. Did he do it of his own bat or was there backing? Does IWS still exist?

Also can you do an interview with his old man too? From memory he also wrote a book recently too.

DG
DG
5 years ago

DG

Lemon Next to the Pie
Lemon Next to the Pie
5 years ago

MatGrit.

Sound quality was patchy. Not the worst, but still plenty frustrating when it goes from inaudible, so you turn it up and within 10 seconds you get deafened…

The Bitchy Crab
The Bitchy Crab
5 years ago

Yeah, sorry. Will do better.

Chazz Michael Michaels
Chazz Michael Michaels
5 years ago

Surely you had the upper hand from your years of deep Gallic immersion?

ricmatic
ricmatic
5 years ago

An adult purple belt is a Val. Like exactly. Might be a lesson there.

Abscessed Llama
Abscessed Llama
5 years ago
Reply to  ricmatic

Anybody training purple belt level 4-5 times a week regardless of age. I’d advise not to let them get a hold of you.

ricmatic
ricmatic
5 years ago

Indeed, but following the VAL theory – Start BJJ young and you have a serious edge over the late comers. My 14 year old has 5 years on the mat and is way ahead.

Abscessed Llama
Abscessed Llama
5 years ago
Reply to  ricmatic

I know a teenager or two fearless to a grown man and take what ever pressure is used against them. Patient for the right moment.. So much respect for that. Going to be interesting to see how they develop into adults? Only seems like sky’s the limit!

The Bitchy Crab
The Bitchy Crab
5 years ago
Reply to  ricmatic

Never gets old. https://www.youtube.com/wat…

ricmatic
ricmatic
5 years ago

HA! bjj and surfing are similar in that I cant help taking the piss out of them both, love em as I do

The Bitchy Crab
The Bitchy Crab
5 years ago
Reply to  ricmatic

And the white belts that take closed guard to the streets. Ooowee.

Abscessed Llama
Abscessed Llama
5 years ago

Former world number eleven still has a lot of free time to pursue his passions. Cool!

Chief Hot stuff
Chief Hot stuff
5 years ago

If its like this it’ll be allright
Gmed ripping.
https://youtu.be/eMtOOtgNPdo

channelbottom
channelbottom
5 years ago

too much slo-mo.
but thanks!

Chief Hot stuff
Chief Hot stuff
5 years ago
Reply to  channelbottom

I could really see Gabes muscles flexing in the slomo
Hot stuff.

Chief Hot stuff
Chief Hot stuff
5 years ago

The guy who sold Victoria’s Secret for 5 mill then 2 years later when it was valued at half a bill did a header off the golden gate.
Good onya shano.

Wiggolly's Paddling Style
Wiggolly's Paddling Style
5 years ago

Fuck he looks a lot like Damo Hobgood.

The Bitchy Crab
The Bitchy Crab
5 years ago

A sparkling compliment for both men.

channelbottom
channelbottom
5 years ago

Is Nick Dee going to chime in to blame it all on the Jiujitsus?

The Bitchy Crab
The Bitchy Crab
5 years ago
Reply to  channelbottom

Always there for a a coup de grâce.

Kama'aina
Kama'aina
5 years ago

Is it possible to have the audio sound worse? I know it sounds better on every other podcast I’ve ever listened to but I don’t know if there is a way that you could make it any more difficult to listen to. I was hoping that the 3 month break had something to do with learning Derek learning how to use whatever equipment he has. The two new shows guest were good ones but so freaking hard to listen to with the crap audio quality. And when ever Chaz speaks it’s like he is patched in though an iPhone 4 to make sure he is barely hearable. Like he is using a tin can and string from his house across the pacific to Derek’s. I truly enjoy and hate listening to Dirty Water. Also I don’t care if anyone ever has another conversation about Jujitsu ever again, ever. I would listen to one of the other million podcast with Jujitsu loving bow hunters that love talking about training if i did. Do you guys even drink protein shake bro? Aloha!

NEGATRON
NEGATRON
5 years ago
Reply to  Kama'aina

Very open to donations to buy new equipment etc.

Kama'aina
Kama'aina
5 years ago
Reply to  NEGATRON

Is this where the rumors fly? Paywall coming soon! Subscription base for premium content?
I’m in. I would love to support good old fashioned surf journalism. Tell me how, when, and where.

The Bitchy Crab
The Bitchy Crab
5 years ago
Reply to  Kama'aina

No, no, no. No walls etc.

The Bitchy Crab
The Bitchy Crab
5 years ago
Reply to  Kama'aina

Yeah, these last two have hit a new nadir. Next instalment from a studio.

NEGATRON
NEGATRON
5 years ago

“Studio” as in respective 2 sqm toilets to minimise external sound?

The Bitchy Crab
The Bitchy Crab
5 years ago
Reply to  NEGATRON

You getting to know me real well.

Urchin Sepsis
Urchin Sepsis
5 years ago
Reply to  NEGATRON

I’m proud of myself for not making a joke about glory holes and Derek being talented at pulling cables through the hole in the stall.

Gino
Gino
5 years ago
Gino
Gino
5 years ago
Reply to  Gino

kinda?

Owen Wright's Brains
Owen Wright's Brains
5 years ago

$135 shirt….what dumb cunt buys this shit? (other than derek)

Wiggolly's Paddling Style
Wiggolly's Paddling Style
5 years ago

Derek wears the value pack v-neck black T’s from Big W doesn’t he? A favourite amongst gays and old wogs who chuck them under the 3 piece suit they wear for gardening.

The Bitchy Crab
The Bitchy Crab
5 years ago

The happiest old queen in all of surf.

Filipe’s fat tire
Filipe’s fat tire
5 years ago

If I wanted to watch a couple dudes masturbate about wrestling while a third one watched quietly I’d tune into the first round of newcastle.

Craven Morehead
Craven Morehead
5 years ago

So is he a billionaire as well?

The Bitchy Crab
The Bitchy Crab
5 years ago

Son of an almost-billionaire, missed by…this… much. https://www.dailymail.co.uk…


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