Jordy Smith

Jordy Smith

Biography:

GROWING UP WITH 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 right that is known for heavy localism, New Pier taught Jordy 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 the time he was 15, he knew it was his ultimate calling.


FAMILY TIES
"I look up to Martin Potter and Shaun Thomson, but my dad taught me everything and motivated me more than anyone else," says the 23-year-old.  When asked about his upbringing, Jordy comments that his mom and sister also keep him in line.  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 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 this 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: 


"My first year on Tour 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.  In 2008, I traveled with too many boards and tried new things at contests, and I learned quickly that preparation is the most important thing." 


REALITY CHECK
Being on tour is not all fun and games. Jordy learned this when maxing Sunset Beach a few years back -- he tore his ACL and meniscus.  When he went to stand up, his front foot slid forward too far and 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 it just hurt so bad to stand up, I couldn't believe it." 


The experience made Jordy a stronger competitor.  


THE MAKING OF A CHAMPION
Jordy's ranking amongst the best surfers in the world is no accident.  While growing up, sports like soccer and tennis played a huge role in developing his focused determination and competitive drive.  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 chose to surf instead. He knew that surfing was his true passion, 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.  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.  


In 2009, he landed the Rodeo Flip, what many called most difficult and awe-inspiring surfing maneuvers to date.  What's next in his bag of innovative tricks, only time will tell.


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 his infamous Batman suit. "I couldn't pass it up in the store when I saw 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. 


ASP WORLD TOUR – COMING OUT PARTY
In 2006, Jordy put the competitive surfing world on notice when he took the ASP World Junior Championships, as well as the ASP WQS season, qualifying him for the ASP Dream Tour in only one year. Before officially joining the ASP World Tour in 2008, Jordy already earned a wildcard spot for the ASP event in his backyard of Jeffreys Bay, South Africa.  He surfed to an impressive third place finish at J Bay in 2006, then defeated tour mainstays Joel Parkinson and former ASP World Champ Andy Irons on the way to a ninth place finish at Lower Trestles in 2007.


An impressive 3rd place finish at Bells Beach last year further established Jordy as a force to be reckoned with and the future of world championship surfing.   2010 has been Jordy's coming-out party on the ASP Tour – a consistent performance throughout the year has earned him the top spot in the world and a prime position to become world champion.  The crowning moment thus far was his win at Jeffreys Bay in July.  In front of a home crowd on Nelson Mandela's birthday, Jordy took J Bay by storm and snatched the number-one ranking from legend Kelly Slater.


PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE
At only 23 years old, Jordy has achieved a level of surfing success and skill that takes most decades to reach.  Whether it's his incredibly focused raw talent or his under the radar sense of humor, Jordy 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.  The new face of surfing has officially arrived, and his name is Jordy Smith.

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O'Neill CWC Santa Cruz - Final Day

Video Higlight Final Day

Miguel Pupo has won the O'Neill Cold Water Classic Santa Cruz as well as the O'Neill Cold Water Classic Series 2011, walking away with a total of $90,000 prize money at this ASP Prime Event. 

Miguel Pupo Miguel

"I didn't even realise that I was in to win $50,000 for the CWC Series win until I got into the semi final," said Miguel Pupo. "I can't believe that just happened right now. I am feeling so great," he said. With Steamer Lane not breaking properly, the final day of competition took place under bright sunshine at the beach break of Waddell Creek. "I've been surfing a beach break my whole life so I know how to surf these waves," said Miguel. "It was perfect for me it moved to here. The story could be different if they moved to the Lane. I am lucky to come down here."

Runner Up - Tiago Pires

Going into the competition Miguel was a long shot for the O'Neill Cold Water Classic Series title. The 19-year-old Brazilian had been sitting in 17th place on the CWC rankings list following a 5th place in New Zealand, "I didn't go to Scotland because it was way too cold for me," said Miguel.

CWC Series Check $50k!

To win the CWC Series, Miguel needed to win the event – and that he did in his $90,000 final against Tiago Pires as he pulled out a 9.3 and a 9.6. "It feels kind of weird to have a Brazilian guy win the Cold Water Classic Series," said Miguel. "Brazilians are just used to surfing in boardshorts. I am surfing in my 4:3 with booties on which is definitely not natural for me!"

Tiago Pires, Pat O'Neill, and Miguel Pupo

"I have loved the O'Neill Cold Water Classic Series," said Miguel. "I was in New Zealand before this, he said. "But I didn't go to Scotland. It was too cold. Here I am in a thick wetsuit so I am ok. But it is incredible to be here in California surfing this event."

Jordy Smith

En-route to the final Miguel knocked out some big names including local star Nat Young in the quarterfinals as well as fellow countryman Willian Cardoso in the semi finals, who would have taken the Series win had Miguel not gone on to win the final.   In the other semi-final Tiago Pires took out South African, Jordy Smith. "I am happy to come here to an event I wasn't expecting to surf and finish third," said Jordy.

Wadell Creek

With a small swell, the 7am call in the morning at Steamer Lane saw event organisers forced to move the competition up north to Waddell Creek once again to complete this iconic event for 2011.

Flat Steamer Lane

O'Neill CWC Santa Cruz - Day 4

Video Highlight Day 4

As the O'Neill Cold Water Classic 2011 moved towards its closing stages, four quarterfinalists were decided as contest organisers once again took full advantage of the event's mobile format.

Nat Young

Willan Cardoso, local boy Nat Young, Nic Muscroft and Josh Kerr all made it through the non-elimination heat straight into the quarterfinals at Waddell Creek before the event was called off for the day as the swell died off.
 
But it was Josh Kerr who made sure that all eyes we be firmly fixed on him for the rest of this competition. The Australian posted both the highest heat and wave scores of the day in a high-pressure heat against both Jordy Smith and Tiago Pires in the non-elimination round to advance into the quarterfinals.

Nat heading to Wadell

"I was thinking that, all three of us guys are World Tour guys and I'm into the Quarters now, and I think the way it works is that I'll have Jordy (Smith) in my next heat and that's going to be tough. I'm going to get a good night's sleep and try and get psyched up for that," said Josh following his victory.
 
But Josh's performance wasn't the only talk on the beach. At the start of the day local surfer Nat Young took out one of the event favourites the in-form Julian Wilson in front of supportive crowds at Steamer Lane.
 
He then followed this up with a victory in the 4th round to take him straight into the quarters.

William Cardoso

"Getting in to the Quarters and skipping that round is nice," said Nat. "It'll be good to take a break and not have to surf again today. I'm stoked to make it to the Quarters, but I want to keep going in this event."
 
The Cold Water Classic Series rankings and the $50,000 prize money was also causing quite a stir on the beach. Still in the lead, but out of the O'Neill CWC Santa Cruz is Brent Dorrington.
 
However, had Adam Melling made it into the quarterfinals today he would have taken the lead in the series rankings, but would still have faced competition from Willian Cardoso, Tom Whitaker and Miguel Pupo, all still in the running.
 
Instead, Adam finished second behind Nic Muscroft so the suspense for Brent Dorrington continues into another day.

Josh Kerr

On this fourth day of competition in sunny Santa Cruz, another morning start at Steamer Lane for heats 5 – 8 of round three, was once again followed up by a northerly move up the coast to the sunning yet challenging beach break of Waddell Creek to finish off the round as well as round 4.

Jordy Cover of Ghetto Juice

Check out the new cover of Ghetto Juice Magazine, featuring our Saffa surfer Jordy.

Interview

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.




Achievements