So by 10am I had done the short train journey into central Copenhagen and onto about my 6th coffee as I waited for the girl who inboxes me on Facebook a few weeks ago!
She had been delayed so I took the opportunity to go for a wander.... I didn't get far, carrying a 12kg backpack around when your not used to it takes its toll and my balance isn't the best! So free half an hour I headed back to the station and found somewhere to sit for a while!
Kira, the girl from Facebook appeared from the platform waving at me! My description of myself to her must have been spot on! We sat and had a coffee and chat for a bit, before going on another wander.
Christian text to say he was leaving his home and shouldn't be long so I told him where we would meet, and again gave in an I depth description of what we looked like down to the colour of my friends Beenie hat just to make sure!
A short while later, a car pulled up beeping the horn and waving, it was Christian, again my description must of been spot on, we off loaded the pack packs in to the boot and off we went on the short car ride to his gym!
I took the chance to quiz him on just about everything, after reading his book (the BJJ Globetrotter) a lot of the stuff he done, where he trained and the people he trained with interested me massively and I also want to travel so any bit of advice I could get would be great!
He is just like he comes across in the book, friendly, funny, helpful and a bit of a joker and it had already felt like I had known him for years!
We arrived at the gym and the thought of dragging my backpack out the boot instantly made my back ache!
Christians gym is pretty awesome and huge! Telling me he once had around 90 + people in there at once!
I went off to get changed into my Gi and got ready for some rolling!
Rather than drilling we went straight into some light rolling which eventually turned into more of a game! There was only the 3 of us in the gym so it was a nice and chilled out. I tried to play a lot of open guard and work from my back and he seemed to go along with it, but no matter what I done to pass or sweep he was already a step ahead! I was worried rolling with a black belt that they would just go to town on me and not give me the opportunity to play my game so they can give me pointers but Christian was great, small things I done which I couldn't pull off he helped me to correct them!
I always struggle with my triangles normally due to my partner being WAY bigger than me but he showed me a new way of doing the triangle which I had never done before! During the rolling session we would stop and chat for a bit then carry on rolling until the last rolls where things got a little carried away! Take downs the lot and only to did out what time of squeal or scream would come out of our mouth during the airtime!
It was great fun! After about an hour and a half of rolls we got changed and headed down to the cafe for some lunch before we had to leave to travel to helsinge for the remainder of the weeks training!
Christian was going to drop us at the central train station where we could catch our train, but instead decided to drive us 1\2 to 45 minute up country to the sticks and drop u at the camp which was so nice of him, but he just told us its fine he has to repay his debt to the universe for his previous travels around the world.
It was a funny car ride joking on and again a chance to quiz the man who knows all about BJJ globe trotting!
We were finally at the camp thanks to Christian, and it was that time again to drag the backpacks out the boot and strap them on our backs!
I thanked him for the lift and his hospitality for the day and if he was ever in England to drop me a text and I would return the favour! If not he can pick us up on Sunday and take us back to the airport! Haha ;)
So if your ever in Copenhagen check out Christian graduates gym ( CSA.DK ) he Has been great in the run up to my travel making sure I had everything I needed and offering advice on where to stay etc!
It's defiantly worth a visit!
But if you haven't read his book the BJJ Globetrotter, ( which if you are seriously into your BJJ then your a tool) go out and buy it!
It has inspired me in my BJj and to travel and train, and doing so I'm in Copenhagen on a mini adventure lying on an air bed in a gym with about 100 other people training BJJ as I write this!
Massive thank you to Christian Graugart for the hospitality today, the training and the sneaky little tips you showed me! Thank you for also taking the time to make us feel welcome in your gym and for the Globetrotter goodies ;) see you soon!
