Jordy Smith Is All Grown Up - Stab Mag

Watch: Episode 2 of the Surf100 Challenger Series presented by Pacifico

999 Views

Jordy Smith Is All Grown Up

A reflection on the South African’s 15th year on tour.

elsewhere // Jan 31, 2023
Words by Holden Trnka
Reading Time: < 1 minute

About a year ago, I may or may not have claimed that Jordy Smith was the tour’s most obvious underdog.

However, despite surfing perfectly well, and making more than enough heats to avoid any mid-year-cry, Jordy had a very average year on tour — by his lofty standards.

Surprisingly, in his maturity, the 34-year-old seems genuinely positive about his year. “I think the highlight in 2022 for me was just surfing. I’ve never been more in love with surfing than I am right now.”

A damn good sentiment for any surf clip, and something we probably wouldn’t have heard from Jordy in his 20s.

Unless your wifi has been out for the last six months, you’ve probably heard (or seen) that Jordy opened up to us in revolutionary fashion for our series How Surfers Get Paid. He was both blunt and extremely articulate, peeling back the financial layers of our industry in a way only a veteran could do.

In their latest episode of the appropriately named Silver Linings, O’Neill does a wonderful job of highlighting Jordy’s mature approach, both to life and to surfing.

Enjoy.

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

In Rio There Are No Favourites

Yellow jerseys fall, world champs bow out, and rookies continue their charge toward Finals Day.

Jun 20, 2026

13 World Titles Fall In Saquarema

A backwashy bloodbath at Itaúna.

Jun 19, 2026

How Surfers Get Paid: Where Have We Been?

A new episode is coming. Here's a refresher on our 15 prior shakes of the…

Jun 18, 2026

Can An Economist’s World Cup Equation Predict Who’s Winning Saquarema?

A Vivo Rio Pro preview.

Jun 17, 2026

A 28-Year-Old Roman On Winning His First CT Event

The Stab Interview with Leonardo Fioravanti.

Jun 16, 2026

2026 Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico, Episode 02

Our first 100-point ride goes down at wedgy Oceanside Pier. 

Jun 15, 2026

Former Takes The Gloves Off, Drops First Proper Surf Team Film 

“Defect” makes its world premiere in Ventura with 1,000 beers, giveaways and a derby car.

Jun 15, 2026

Dane Reynolds Discusses The Biggest Regrets Of His Surfing Career | StabMic Ep. 18

The lost pilot episode.

Jun 15, 2026

Carissa Moore and Leonardo Fioravanti Collect Contrasting Wins At The 2026 Surf City El Salvador Pro

And despite his runner-up finish, Italo defies all odds.

Jun 14, 2026

Tom Lowe Would Go

From consecutive near-fatal wipeouts to paddling the wave of a lifetime at Mullaghmore.

Jun 13, 2026

Godzilla El Niño… Fact Or Fear-Mongering?

Is it really going to be the end of the world?

Jun 12, 2026

Watch: Ritualistic Tendencies, A Heavyweight Film Of The Year Contender

The eyewear cult releases their first team feature film.

Jun 11, 2026

A One-Legged Italo Is Still Better Than Most Of The CT

Ramzi and Crosby fall to the Wounded Wario and Finals Day is decided.

Jun 11, 2026

Want To Win One Of Ethan Ewing’s Stab In The Dark Boards?

We’re giving away all 12 boards to our Stab Premium members.

Jun 10, 2026

Watch Rán: A Scandinavian Surfing Saga

"I've made a lot of short films. This is the only one I'd call perfect."…

Jun 9, 2026

“Gabe Morvil Is The Best Surfer No One’s Heard Of” — Dane Reynolds

Former drops DEFECTIVE UNITS // VOL #3, starring Timo Simmers and a Wilmington sparky.

Jun 9, 2026

Op-Ed: I’ve Surfed 27 Wavepools Around The World — These Ones Are Worth The Money

An unbiased, unaffiliated reporter shares his findings.

Jun 8, 2026

Punta Roca Calls The Forecast’s Bluff

Simmers sizzles, Riss Moore launches heat-saving air rev in the dying seconds.

Jun 8, 2026
Advertisement