Jordy Smith
SURFING
The scene at New Pier, a surf break in Jordy's hometown of Durban, is the kind of place that requires respect, hard work, and a good attitude to climb the ranks of the pecking order. A fast hollow right that is known for heavy localism, New Pier taught Smith how to excel in both small and large hollow surf. These are all traits that come naturally to this young superstar who has a surfing history longer than most. At the age of three, Jordy's father, a shaper and surfer himself, began driving him to the local beaches and pushing him into waves. "Smitty" or "Superfreak" as Jordy is also known, took to surfing early on, and by time he was 15 knew that this sport was his calling.
FAMILY TIES
"My mentors, or the ones I look up to are Martin Potter and Shaun Thomson, but my dad taught me everything, and motivated me more than anyone else," says the 21 year-old surfer. "My mom and sister also both keep me in line," said Smith about his upbringing. This close-knit family environment is one of the reasons Jordy has found so much success on both the amateur and professional levels. When traveling on tour he mainly stays with his family and his team manager, who help him, focus, rest and eat well.
After winning the World Juniors in 2006, the Triple Crown Rookie of the Year Award in 2007, and landing on the WCT in 2008, there was a lot of pressure on Jordy, a regular footer, to succeed. Pressure, however, is the one thing Jordy doesn't let get to him. Never one to boast, he says he surfs against himself in heats, and focuses on just surfing and not the pressure around him. "Last year probably wasn't the best, but I gained so much experience. Just getting to events on time, with the right boards, and sticking to a plan has helped me so much this year. Last year I traveled with too many boards and tried new things at contest, and I learned quickly that preparation is the most important thing," he said about his first year on the WCT.
REALITY CHECK
Being on tour is not all fun and games. Jordy found this out at maxing Sunset Beach last year, when he tore his ACL and meniscus. When he went to stand up, his front foot slid forward too far, he fell, causing him to get completely annihilated by an oncoming set. It wasn't until he tried to catch another wave that he realized something was wrong. "That was a heavy moment," he said. "I thought that was it for sure. I tried to surf again and stand up, and it just hurt so bad, I couldn't believe I was hurt." But it was just this kind of learning experience that has made Jordy such a strong competitor. His main focus when competing is to go out, surf explosively, make it look easy, and not worry about the media or other surfers. "I try not to control things I can't control," said Jordy about surfing against higher ranked athletes and often guys he has been looking up to since he was a kid. Easier said that done, Jordy has been an athlete and a fierce competitor since he was young.
The making of this champion is not by accident, and for Smith, sports like soccer and tennis played a huge role while he was growing up in South Africa.. As a junior, Jordy was selected to the South African National Soccer Team, which in a country where soccer rules, would have guaranteed him a promising future early on, and the chance to play overseas. At age 11, Jordy was asked to play soccer abroad in England, but luckily chose to surf instead. He knew early on that surfing was his calling so he spent hours on end studying surf movies and memorizing his favorite moves by surfers like Kelly Slater. When Jordy's own fame started rising, he never claimed to be the next great one, or never went out to make his solo movie biography film. Instead he quietly chipped away at his training and his surfing, along the way inventing new tricks like the swiss-roll, a signature move where he grabs the board with both hands and spins 360 degrees.
Like any pro, the luxurious boat trips are some great perks of the business, and Tavarua in Fiji is one of his favorite places to surf. "Surfing Restaurants and then sitting in the pool drinking beers is one of the best memories I have. It's just a perfect wave."
Besides being able to charge the biggest surf, Jordy has a quiet sense of humor that makes him entertaining to be around, especially for anyone that has seen Smith's infamous Batman suit. Bringing the suit out at multiple parties this past winter on the North Shore, he simply couldn't pass it up in the store when he bought it. On tour, however, it's game time and Jordy turns his razor sharp focus on the waves and the competition, a signature trait of a world champion. As the target of media hype since he turned pro, Jordy is well prepped to be the next best surfer in the world. With a 3rd place finish at Bells Beach, and at 21 years of age, he is already on his way to become the next World Champ.
LOOKING BACK TO THE FUTURE
It's hard to imagine that at only 21 years old, he has achieved a level of surfing success and skill that takes most many decades to reach. Whether it's his incredibly focused raw talent or his under the radar sense of humor, Jordy Smith is a surfer who knows how to succeed. Through large airs, or massive rail to rail carves, he can always look back to his days at the rough hewn New Pier, where his work ethic and surfing style were honed.
Jordy Smith Featured in New York Times Article
From the Article in NY Times
Last spring, on a green wave in the Mentawais, a chain of islands off the west coast of Indonesia, Jordy Smith performed perhaps the most sublime aerial in the history of surfing, a back flip while spinning one and a half times. Video of the flip, known as a rodeo clown, went viral when Yahoo posted it in June.
With soaring tricks adapted from action sports like snowboarding, freestyle bicycle riding and especially skateboarding, the 22-year-old Smith, of South Africa, has been at the forefront of the young surfers entering another realm.
An international group in their early 20s, they were raised on films of free surfers, who perform radical maneuvers at prime locations without the pressure of scoring.
They have begun vaulting barriers between free surfing and contest surfing."That's the future of surfing," said Kelly Slater, 38, a nine-time world champion from Cocoa Beach, Fla. "It's really in the air. The deepest barrels that are ever going to be ridden have already happened. Probably the best carving that's ever going to be done is being done now or it's been done." For most of its history, competitive surfing rewarded long rides. Waves milked to shore with a series of turns often garnered high scores. And the most radical maneuver was being barreled, or slipping behind the veil of a breaking wave and emerging before it crashed on one's head. Leaving the wave created controversy, leading the competitive surfing establishment to suppress aerials for decades.
"There were a few times where they wouldn't even score you because you were doing airs and stuff like that," said Smith, who last week mixed aerials with other new-school maneuvers to finish in second place at Snapper Rocks, Australia, during the first contest of the Association of Surfing Professionals season. It was the best result of his three-year career on the World Championship Tour, the highest level of competitive surfing.But a series of recent changes to the association's contest criteria has placed a premium on trying new tricks, rewarding a higher degree of difficulty over consistency, and scoring only the best two rides, instead of three or more, during a 30-minute heat. Now a competitor can record one or two scores with safe surfing and go for more high-risk maneuvers on others.
At a competition in the Maldives last June, Patrick Gudauskas, 24, of San Clemente, Calif., received a perfect score, 10, when he landed a rodeo clown during an early heat. He landed another during the final and received another 10.
In August, Matt Meola, 20, of Maui, landed a rodeo at an independent competition on Maui and also earned a 10.
"So few guys have been trying airs in the most critical spots on certain waves that it's kind of fresh," Slater said. "It's going to become more the norm."
Some of today's top surfers were discouraged from pursuing aerials as youngsters.
"I remember parents coming up to me and saying: 'Don't try any airs. Just do like three or four turns to the beach, and you'll make it,' " Smith said.
Dane Reynolds, 24, of Ventura, Calif., whose explosive aerial maneuvers have made his name synonymous with the new style of surfing, heard similar comments.
"There were other guys that were telling me that's what I shouldn't be doing," he said. "But that's what I wanted to do, and that's what came easy to me. Traditional surfing has been more of a struggle."Earlier generations faced hostility.
"I think back in the '80s and '90s, a lot of people were of the feeling, just because it can be done doesn't mean it should be done, as far as aerials," Pritamo Ahrendt, an Australian judge who has been scoring world tour events for 11 years, wrote in an e-mail message. "It didn't fit the tradition of what surfing was."
The origins of aerials are not well documented. But Kevin Reed of Santa Cruz, Calif., was the first to appear performing one on the cover of Surfing Magazine in 1975. Matt Kechele, who later mentored a young Slater, imitated skateboarders during the late 1970s along the Florida coast. Detractors disparaged Kechele's approach in graffiti near the beach.A decade later, with new board designs facilitating aerials, San Clemente emerged as a launching pad. Particularly the high-performance and consistent waves at Lower Trestles, at San Onofre State Beach, and T-Street, near Trafalgar Lane, where the high-flying 1989 world champion Martin Potter inspired a crew of young locals, including Matt Archbold and Christian Fletcher.
A third-generation surfer, Fletcher has helped spread the modern aerial perhaps more than any other surfer."I was doing it on a skateboard," Fletcher, 39, said. "You stand the same way. Why wouldn't you do it on a surfboard, too?"Other surfers did not agree.
"One of the judges told my dad that I need to slow down because they didn't know how to score it," Fletcher said about his moves.
World tour surfers circulated a petition among the professionals asking the news media to focus less on Fletcher, who cultivated an antisocial, anti-establishment attitude.
Blacklisted from surfing magazines, Fletcher popularized aerials through videos produced by his father, the surfing legend Herbie Fletcher, in which he appeared soaring skyward accompanied by a hard-driving soundtrack.Bruce Irons, 30, brought a free-surfing sensibility to the world tour from 2004 through 2008. He recalled studying videos featuring Fletcher while growing up in Hawaii.
"Christian Fletcher to me was a pioneer," Irons said. "When I was a kid, I was like: 'Wow, that's sick. I want to be like that guy.' "Slater, who emulated Potter's go-for-it approach to aerials, began dominating competitive surfing, winning five consecutive world titles from 1994 through 1998. At the prestigious Pipeline Masters on the North Shore of Oahu in 1999, Slater attempted a rodeo flip. Although he fell, the move signaled a new step for competitive surfing.
"Conventional surfing is good, but when you go to the air and start mixing it up, that's what the crowd wants to see," Irons said. "The future is to keep going to the air. If you go to the air and mix that with smooth carves, that's surfing."
Julian Wilson, 21, of Australia, landed his signature sushi roll — a back flip while spinning 180 degrees and extending his body from his board like Superman — while filming a 2007 surf session in Japan, elevating the progression of aerials. And the film "Modern Collective," released in November, features top competitive surfers like Smith, Reynolds and Dusty Payne, of Hawaii, performing stunning aerial surfing."They're the leaders," Slater said of the new generation. "They're still learning. Their approach is fresh and different. Surfing has to follow them."
In the film, Smith pulls a backside Superman-style aerial, separating from his board and kicking his front leg forward while soaring above the wave.He said he could not wait to introduce the as-yet-unnamed maneuver in competition this season "and see how they score it."
Erik Olsen contributed reporting from San Clemente, Calif.
Still Hanging in Oz
Bobby, Roy and Jordy blow up during a fun South Straddie session.
AS THE WCT DUST SETTLES THE SUN FINALLY SHINES
O'NEILL WCT surfers Jordy Smith, Bobby Martinez & Roy Powers seized the sunny conditions and solid swell on offer today to bag clips, shoot photos and share throaty barrel's after a relaxing few days post Quik Pro.
Off the back of very impressive starts to their 2010 World Tour campaigns Smith (2) & Martinez (3) along with travel partner Powers took the opportunity to get away from the ultra crowded Super Bank and score on South Stradbroke Is.
JORDY SMITH COMES WITHIN INCHES OF HIS FIRST WCT VICTORY
Jordy Smith has started 2010 in spectacular fashion,
finishing runner up in the Quiksilver Pro. The in form South African
showed thousands of spectators and the rest of the top 45 this week
that he is not only an entertainer but a title contender in 2010.
Jordy's path to the final saw him take down Marco Polo (33rd) , Tiago
Pires (17th), 9x World Champ Kelly Slater (9th), Bede Durbidge (5th),
and Dane Reynolds (3rd). The Semi Final match up against Reynolds was
the most highly anticipated heat of the event and most important of
Smith's career. Jordy displayed to the masses his repertoire of style,
power and futuristic moves to breeze past Reynolds into the final with
an in form Taj Burrow.
The Final was filled with hi-fi surfing from both Smith & Burrow
but after a broken board and loss of priority it was Taj that took the
victory leaving Jordy a credible 2nd leading into stop 2 on the ASP
Dream Tour at Bells Beach.
Stay tuned to www.oneill.com for all the hype on team O'Neill.
Smith and Martinez Finish Solid at the Quiksilver Pro
Jordy Smith makes his first WCT final but comes up just short of the
win, while Bobby Martinez finishes equal 3rd in his first contest as an
O'Neill team rider.
Jordy Smith and Bobby Martinez continue their dominance of the Quiksilver Pro, blitzing the event on their way to the Semi Finals. Stay tuned for the competition call today. Bobby Martinez vs. Taj Burrow. Jordy Smith vs. Dane Reynolds.
JORDY SMITH TRIUMPHS OVER 9X WORLD CHAMP KELLY SLATER ON HIS WAY TO SEMI FINAL AT QUIKSILVER PRO
Jordy Smith has shown thousands of spectators lining the point at Snapper Rocks that he's a World Title contender in 2010. Jordy's furious approach and modern variety throughout his two heats today saw him take down Kelly Slater then local favorite Bede Durbidge to rocket him into the Semi Finals. Tomorrows Semi is set to be the most exciting heat of the event when Jordy takes on the in form Dane Reynolds.
Stay tuned to www.oneill.com for all the news on Team O'Neill's Jordy Smith & Bobby Martinez progress on the final day.
Bobby Martinez and Jordy Smith light up the Superbank during Round 3 of the Quiksilver Pro.
Jordy Sets The Pace
Jordy blows up in Round 2 of the Quiksilver Pro posting the highest total heat score
Jordy Getting Away from the Contest Scene
Avoiding the crowded Snapper Rocks line-up, Jordy Smith finds a couple drainers away from the contest mayhem.
Snapper Round 1 Highlights
1st Round highlights from the Snapper Rocks event. Jordy Smith, Bobby Martinez and Roy Powers getting warmed up for a solid contest run.
Jordy Smith touches down briefly before taking to the skies at D-Bah.
Jordy Smith has arrived in stereotypical style to the Gold Coast, no sooner had he landed he was taking to the skies of D-Bah, testing his quiver at altitude as well as laying rail in the fun 3 foot right and left a-frames.
Jordy's preparation to the first event on the Dream Tour is a shade different from last year's where he arrived 2 weeks before the event. This year choosing to arrive 4 days before his first round match up with Dusty Payne (HI) and Drew Courtney (AUS) giving him more time to train at home and prepare for the year on the road.
A Look Back at a Few Fun Days on the North Shore
Here's a look back at the O'Neill team from the past winter on the North Shore.
O’Neill Team Highlights from the Pipeline Masters
Jordy Smith on the Carson Daly Show
Jordy Smith and Roy Powers Rip Apart Gums
Jordy Smith and Timmy Reyes deep in Log Cabins
Log Cabins
Jordy Smith and Timmy Reyes find some open ones at Log Cabins. With most of the North Shore a mess, Log Cabin had some gems on offer. Jordy and Timmy sneak in a couple during the early morning session. Photos courtesy of Sam Olson
Jordy Smith Wins the First Ever O'Neill Cold Water Classic Series Event in Tasmania, Australia
The Most Northern, The Most Southern, The Wildest, The Coldest & The Most Classic Surf Contest on the Planet
29 March 2009, Marrawah, Tasmania - It was a battle of the World Tour surfers, as Jordy Smith took out the inaugural Cold Water Classic Series event held in truly epic conditions at Bluff Reef in Marrawah, Tasmania.
In solid 8-foot swell, offshore winds and just to top it off - sunshine, Jordy Smith and Damien Hobgood showed just why they are two of the top World Tour surfers at the moment.
"It was good to get a win," said Jordy. "It's been a while. Damo's been ripping this whole event," he said. "I looked up to him as a kid so it's great to be out there with one of your heroes."
For Damien it was an impressive second place performance, but he was disappointed not to win the engraved wooden trophy; "I was hoping to dedicate that trophy to the Marrawah pub," he said. "I had needed to step it up. I just didn't do it. It was hard for me. Sometimes I was really hanging on with my toes so hard. It's a little bit more bumpy out there than it looks for sure."
Jordy Smith had blazed his way to the finals, knocking out the phenomenal Australian talent of Owen Wilson in the quarterfinals before an exciting close semifinal heat against the Brazilian Jadson Andre.
The other semifinal also could not fail to disappoint given the talent on offer at this competition coupled with the perfect conditions. The American Patrick Gudauskas narrowly missed out on advancing to the finals with a spectacular barrel on his last wave which came so close to the 9.07 score he had required against Damien Hobgood.
"Thank you to O'Neill for thinking out of the box," said Damien after his heat, "and thank you to all the people in Marrawah who have been so welcoming and so open."
Among them were Christel and Max Whish-Wilson who let the final contest day move into their house and front lawn – looking out over Bluff Reef.
"It's been an awesome experience," said Christel. "We've had the best guys staying with us while we cook and take care of them. They're so well mannered."
"Having the final here today was exceptional. We had the first day and now the last day here. We just loved it. Max and I both loved it. Hopefully it will come back next year as well."
It has been a spectacular week both in the surf and out at this first stop on the O'Neill Cold Water Classic Series.
Rob Bain, O'Neill's marketing manager summed it up saying; "It's been more successful that I could have hoped. We wanted raw and challenging, remote and adventurous, and a good spirit and adventure around the event. We ticked all those boxes," he said.
"The biggest thing I am proud of," said Rob, "is the spirit of both the locals and the surfers around the event. The locals didn't know who the surfers were and they didn't care. All they cared about was if they were good kids or not, and they all came with such a good attitude and spirit."
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Visit www.oneill.com/cwc for the daily highlight shows and all the latest news.
All videos, photos and press releases can be downloaded at press.oneill.com
1. Most embarrassing moment?
That is tough one. I don't really get that embarrassed.
2. Favorite quote?
You're not born to fit in. You're born to stand out.
3. Chocolate or Vanilla?
I love them both but I would say I eat chocolate 75 percent of the time. But the other 25 percent Vanilla really hits the spot.
4. Glass on fins or fin systems?
Love Glass-ons. Yeah all the way.
5. Favorite surf destination and wave?
My hometown for sure. Tavarua is an incredible place. Great surroundings, people, food, nice accommodations. And the waves speak for themselves. It is an amazing place.
6. Favorite maneuver?
Riding the barrel for sure.
7. Celebrity crush?
I don't really have one. Um…let me think about that and get back to you.
8. What's in your traveling quiver?
I travel with about 10 boards. My boards range from 6'2" to 6'6". You always break a board or the airline crush's one of them. But really having two go–to boards is the key.
9. Status (Married, single, whatever?)
I am dating and here for friends.
10. Favorite website?
Myspace and Facebook.
11. Sounds?
U2, Simple Minds, INXS, Pink Floyd, Mickey Avalon, Lil' Wayne.
12. Biggest influence in your life?
My Dad for sure. He is a legend.
13. Favorite Surfers?
Archie, Justin Mattison he was really futuristic, MT, my Dad and the SA boys who made it big time.
14. What traits in the opposite sex are most attractive? Good sense of humor, nice curves, the whole package.
15. Worst wipe out?
Pipe for sure. It is a heavy wave.
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world
- year: 2009
- title: 3rd Place at Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach
- description: The powerful natural-footer went on a tear through today’s proceedings, eliminating former ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS), 27, in the Quarterfinals before falling to eventual winner Parkinson in the Semifinals.
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- year: 2009
- title: 2009 O'Neill Cold Water Classic Tasmania Champion
- description:
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