Jordy Smith – South Africa’s Powerhouse Performer
“The Rail Game Giant”
🌊 Basic Info
Full Name: Jordan Michael Smith
Nickname: Jordy
Born: February 11, 1988 – Durban, South Africa
Nationality: South African
Surfing Stance: Regular
Favorite Surf Spots: Jeffreys Bay, Snapper Rocks, Lowers, Cloudbreak
🏆 Career Highlights
Championships & Titles:
2× World Title Runner-Up (2010, 2016)
Multiple-time CT event winner – victories at J-Bay, Rio, Lowers, and more
Winner of the 2017 Outerknown Fiji Pro in pumping reef barrels
Notable Competitions:
J-Bay Open (home turf), Rio Pro, Hurley Pro at Trestles, Fiji Pro
Consistently a Top 10 CT surfer for over a decade, known for style and progression
Best Performances:
2010 season – breakout year that nearly saw him take down Slater for the title
2017 J-Bay – flawless carves and deep tubes on home soil
2019 Pipeline run – unexpected semis finish in heavy barrels
Signature Moves:
Massive carves with full-rail commitment—few surfers match his power-to-flow ratio
Explosive above the lip—airs, reverses, and tweaked rotators
Capable of switching between high-performance maneuvers and smooth traditional lines with ease
🏄♂️ Surfing Style & Equipment
Board Preferences:
Rides Channel Islands Surfboards, often favoring the Happy and Two Happy models
Boards are built for power, flow, and versatility across different wave types
Wetsuit & Gear:
Sponsored by O’Neill, Channel Islands, Red Bull, and Oakley
Known for always being well-geared and stylish in and out of the water
Training & Fitness:
Built like a tank—uses functional strength training, conditioning circuits, and mobility work
Incorporates surf drills, mental performance tools, and recovery routines
Wave Preferences:
Loves powerful point breaks like Jeffreys Bay and Lowers, but has proven himself in slabs and reef breaks too
Versatile across the board, but at his best when there’s room to carve
🌍 Life Beyond Surfing
Hobbies & Interests:
Loves fishing, travel, photography, and spending time with his wife and family
Big advocate for South African surf culture, helping promote local contests and talent
Social Causes:
Supports ocean safety and access initiatives in South Africa
Ambassador for Waves for Change, a mental health and surf therapy organization
Promotes wildlife and marine conservation in southern Africa
Fun Facts:
Nearly beat Kelly Slater for the 2010 World Title at age 22
His rail game is considered one of the cleanest in modern surfing
Represented South Africa at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, though an injury held him back
🎥 Photos & Videos
Watch his 2017 J-Bay edit—it’s textbook surfing perfection
Featured in surf films like Now Now, Bending Colours, and WSL’s All In series
📢 Latest News & Updates
In 2025, Jordy is still competing selectively on the CT while focusing on his own surfboard label launch
Recently hosted the first-ever Jordy Smith Invitational at Jeffreys Bay, spotlighting young African talent
Currently working on a travel series exploring Africa’s hidden waves
