Jordy Smith

He leads the next charge of South African surfers

By Angelica Clemmer

STATS Name: Jordan Michael Smith Nickname: Jordy Age: 22 Weight: 200 lbs. Stance: Natural (regular foot) Hometown: Durban, South Africa Home break: New Pier, South Africa Board: JS Surfboards. Sponsors: JS Industries, O’Neill, Red Bull, Dakine, DVS Shoes, Vestal Smith is a South African free-surfer phenomenon, with over 10 national titles, cups and victories that have taken the World Championship Tour (WCT) by storm. His father, a surfer and surfboard shaper, introduced him to the sport at the age of 9 months. He was already standing on a board in the pool and began surfing by age 3. He entered his first competition at age 5 and became sponsored by Billabong at just 9 years old. He has a stellar junior and amateur record. Smith won the 2010 Billabong J-Bay competition in South Africa last month, which is part of the WCT Dream Tour, making him the No. 1-ranked surfer in the world. Smith is known for a sick rodeo flip and full-rotation alley-oops. He placed second in the U.S. Open a few weeks ago in California and is heading to Tahiti for the next WCT event, the Billabong Pro Teahupoo, Aug. 23-Sept. 3. It may be too early to crown him as the next world champ, but not too early to start thinking about it. He seems destined for surfing greatness. When did you know you wanted to be a professional surfer? I was about the age of 15 when I won my first international event. How much influence did your father have on your surfing growing up? Do you ride his boards? A lot. He has always been a mentor for me. Yeah, I ride his boards whenever I can. It’s so much fun getting in the shaping bay with him. What is a regular day like for you? l look at the waves and then I start it from there. Mainly just hang out with my friends, design my clothing line and work on my boards. Best and funniest experience this year on the WCT so far? The best is having my friends at the events [laughs]. It’s so funny watching them around all the pros, ‘cause they don’t consider me a pro. I’m just a mate…watching them, star struck [laughs]. And worst? When losing in any events. What do you like best, free surfing or competitions? I like both. It’s just when in the year. You have taken the sport of surfing to a new level with your rodeo flips/aerials straight into massive cutbacks. Do you have any new tricks in mind? I have a few up my sleeve, but I’m still working on them so we’ll see how the people like it when they come out. Your favorite surfers?Kelly [Slater], Dane [Reynolds], Mick [Fanning]. Teahupoo event is next on the tour, are you excited for that stop? Very excited. I can’t wait. It’s a scary one, though, for sure. But I hope it is perfect this year. Are you ready to be the next world champ? I’m not going to count my chickens before they hatch, but I will give it my best shot. Thanks for the interview, Jordy, I know you are busy man, really appreciate it, good luck with the remaining WCT events. Check outbillabongpro.com/tahiti10 for news and a live webcast of the competition.