Post-Win Rapid Fire With Jordy Smith

Jordy Smith was still dripping when he answered the phone to Stab. He’d just beaten Adriano De Souza in the final of the Billabong Pro, Rio, his first WCT win outside South Africa, and scooped $100k in the process. He was as electrified as you might imagine, and conversation was concise (reckon the mind was already a coupla hours ahead, already swirling that first mojito?).

Interview by Craig Jarvis, portraits by Ryan Miller.

Stab: Jordy conquers Rio!
Jordy: I’m still shocked right now, but at the same time I’m so pumped! I’ve got these good boards y’know, and as I told you previously, I’m over that speed bump that I felt held me back last year. I felt relaxed all event.

How y’gonna bleed that $100k? That’s straight into the bank for me. Seriously, it’s not about the money. At this stage it’s all about winning. It’s so good to be in that place where I know I can win, and it feels really good. I’m ready to do this thing, y’know? It’s all coming together.

Quick refuel (banana) and inspiration (call to ma), pre-final. Photo: Ryan Miller

It was an air show through the biz end. Yes. In the beginning there were some sick barrels going, but as they started backing off, the whole contest became about the air game. Everyone was doing the biggest airs and combos and that’s what was winning heats.

We enjoyed your claiming creativity. (Laughs) Thanks. The first one, the Christ one, was just symbolic of Rio, of the (Christ The Redeemer) statue, and I thought it would be cool for the local spectators. Then in the final I did the bow, I was just kind of mixing it up, y’know. Giving the spectators a bit of variety.

You looked very relaxed. Well, there’s always pressure. There’s pressure in a final, but I know the relaxed place, I know where to go in my head to find that relaxed place while under pressure. It works for me, and I made sure I was having fun along the way as well. I’ve always been in this to have fun.

You’re second in the world now. Really? I’m just out of the water. I didn’t know that.

Yep. Two-fifty behind Adriano. There y’go. Time to buckle down and get ready for the next leg. I’ve got a good team behind me right now and I’m ready to do this.

Words for friends and fans out there? Just a huge thanks to all the people who gave me so much support over this event and helped me along the way to prove that I can do this, that I can win contests away from South Africa. So, thanks to all my friends and family and Lyndall and everyone who has sent messages or have just written something on my wall. It’s all very much appreciated.

You’re gonna paint Rio red tonight, huh? Maybe just a few quiet beers. Quite a few people are leaving today, so it’s probably going to be a quiet evening. But, hey! Y’never know! (Jordy chuckles loudly down the line, and the phone goes dead).

Seen how well the South-Africa transitions outta these things? So controlled, straight into that next hit. Photo: ASP/Kirstin