Very impressive how slow he got the plane to go. Without using the engines for reverse thrust, I don't know how one would slow down.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrust_reversal
The wiki article on ditching is a little rough,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ditching#Commercial_aircraft
...but it seems like this procedure isn't done often enough with jets that we could honestly assess how difficult it might be. I suppose it's just like a normal landing, but doing it so gently that it doesn't break apart.
He used ground-effect to ride the plane on a cushion of air. http://news.google.com/news?q=%22ground%20effect%22
Using the engine to slow down is like using the reverse gear of your car to slow down, which no one does, which never works (because of possible breakdown of the engine) and should not be done to save the engine from damage.
[ I am not a mechanical or automobile engineer. But this is my knowledge ]
Those surfaces as you call them. Thrust reversers (basically fins that push over the end of the jet and redirect the thrust forward), and the brakes on the wheels.
All planes must (by FAA regs), be able to land without using the thrust reversers (using the brakes instead), but thrust reversers are what's used in normal cases (since it saves wear on the brakes).