Interview with Jordy Smith, leader of the Dream Tour, by Freaksurf Magazine |
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Jordy Smith shares a birthday with surfing legend Kelly Slater, coincidence... But if you’re looking for surfing’s next superstar look no further, Jordy looks set to be the sport’s new dominant force. He won the wqs series, leader of the O'NEILL team, winning machine, top 5 , powerfull, tricky and one of the two most inovating surfers...What else...would say Georges Clooney. The total package of the next gen Tour. Just have a look on his season start, his crazy rodeo clown during the Red Bull Mentawai trip, and his U.G.E video part in Modern Collective. Very talented or hard worker ? Jordy Smith answers, right here right now !  FREAKSURF MAG : Where and with who did you start surfing ? Jordy Smith : I started surfing with my dad In Durban when I was 3 FSM : Where do you actually live ? JS : I live in Durban south Africa but have been based out of Newport beach in California for last few years FSM : Home spot ? JS : New Pier Durban / J Bay  You won the WQS, considered as a top 10 pro surfer, one of the most inovating surfer of your generation, what's your secret ? No real secret it just comes down to a lot of hard work a great team of people with whom I work with and a strong desire to succeed. Its nice to be considered a top ten surfer. However I am always working on bettering myself and my surfing. You re the icon of next gen, competitor, big mental, tube rider, powerfull surfer, radical manovers and freaky airs. Talent is everything or hard worker ? I think talent and Hard work go hand in hand and compliment each other. I think I have both and again am always trying to better my performances.  Your goal for this year ? Not to get ahead of myself and try and slot into the top 5 on ASP World tour. Anything else is a big bonus Some people say that you're a winning machine, such as Kelly or Andy , what do you think about that ? That’s very nice to hear. However I haven’t won yet but feel its always around the corner. The ASP world tour is the highest level of this sport and winning is also tough to do with so many guys ripping these days. I would love to get on a roll and win some events which is hopefully coming soon.  World Tour is very hard for rookies, Kekoa Bacalso said that the riders in place are very hard with the rookies. Your opinion ? Yes the rookies do it tough. As I said before its the top level in surfing and to break into the top 10 or what not is something that you have to be consistent with results to do and its not easy. I mean I finished 26th my first year and just made it back in so ya its tough. You seem very close to your Father tell us about this Famiily affair Well it goes without saying my family is the most important thing to me and my dad has been travelling with me since day 1 and has had a major influence on so much of where I am today. I can’t thank him, Mum , and Casey (Sister) enough for the support. What do you thing about Dane Reynolds, he doesn't care about the competition, and you want to win everything ? Dane is great and he is an inspiration to so many surfers today. He will be around for a long time and I look forward to many good match ups with him as they will all have some good fireworks for the fans. Both of you are inovating surfers, but you kick everybody's ass with your last Rodeo Clown. Tell us about this crazy air you boosted.  Well with the rodeo clown everything just fell into place. I mean it has to in order to make that maneuver. You have to have speed, right section, good landing area and timing is important. I am happy I made it and look forward to doing more. 
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Your last trip in the mentawai, a few words about that amazing trip? It was an amazing trip with a great crew of surfers. Apparently they hadn’t had waves like that out there that consistently for years. We were very lucky to get so many waves in great conditions. It was a trip of a life time for sure. You're the leader of O'Neill team, what is your feeling about those Cold Water Classics events, and epecially about your victory in the hostile Tasmania .  The Oneill Cold Water classics are great events! Its hard enough to run a surf event but Oneill going to such remote places like Tassie and getting some of the worlds best there to compete shows the brands great dedication to surfing at the highest level. I was very happy to win last year and look forward to defending this year. You come from South Africa , can you explain why your othter south africaners friends don't manage to maintain themseves on the Dream Tour, it's always up and down with Greg, Ricky, David or Travis.  What is it due to? I think the South African surfers have represented well on the ASP. We have managed to have as many as 5 guys on there at times and it hasn’t been since the 80”s that this has happened so the boys are doing well and we support each other all over the world. A word on your new teammate Bobby ? Bobby is an amazing surfer with tons of talent. Its great to have him as a part of the Oneill family and look forward to doing some great trips and projects with him in The future.  Who are you travelling with ? Travis Logie and my family when ever they can attend.... What are your hobbies when you're not surfing? I enjoy going to the gym and when i am back in SA i play league 5 a side soccer with Travis & his team mates... A little tennis aswell... Tell us about your passion for paintings, and specially those babes on your boards? Like all designs…I did art at school…and also ....it’s nice to have some thing different on my boards  Can you tell us about this freaky video called Modern Collective ? The freaky thing is that Kai produced a hit !!! it's packed with some great new era surfing done by youngsters.... Quik list : Wave: J.Bay Spot: Soccer Event: world cup Victory: world title Lost: Be aware Video: August Rush Track list: Simple minds Event you want to win: Pipe masters Biggest party on tour: LA Best friend: Mom & Sister Craziest surfer on tour: Dave"o" Babe: Too many to chose from...hahaha Best surfer: Mick Fanning  Finally, I spoke with Damien Farhenfort, he told me that both of you were ready for the Winter Olympics Games to represent South Africa in Snowboarding, ready to kick Shaun White's ass ! Bring it on Shaun....Have you ever tried to ride your snow board in the surf.... Are we gonna see you in the next O'NEILL EVOLUTION !? I would think so.... Thank you Jordy, always welcome, mate
Interview : Johann Mouchel / Freaksurf Mag photo credit : Agustin Munoz / Bielman /Redbull , O'Neill and Johann Mouchel |
