Jordy Out Of Pipeline

The Pipeline Masters! It’s always a mind-blower event. Even if Robbie Page or Bede Durbidge wins it, it always has high drama and action! So many things going on! The WCT event format, consistent for 11 and a-half months, changes completely and surfers on the cusp are brutally compromised for a few local boys. No one actually seems to understand the format, or knows how the local ruling came to be. Anyway…

One person who is not going to be too worried about Pipeline and the more than questionable format is Jordy Smith. He’s a surfer who loves Hawaii, absolutely dominates at Sunset and could win any event there, and loves a ride at Haleiwa. Jordy missed the first two events of the Vans Triple Crown, and is set to miss the Billabong Pipeline Masters. We dialed him.

So bru, you’re not competing at Pipe? What’s the happs?

Ya it was a difficult call to make on not competing in the Pipe Masters this year. I’ve been out of the water for about 6 weeks now, and I’ve been working with my doctors. I suffered an injury, and it’s still not 100% and I don’t want to risk re-injuring it, so I was left with no choice and decided not to go.

You bummed? Hawaii is a good place to be. You fit in there.

Yeah I’m bummed. I hate being injured, and to miss out on the opportunity to compete in a sick event like the Pipe Masters is devastating. I’ve been feeling really good, and after such a positive year I really wanted to finish in Hawaii on a high note.

What sort of injury is it?

The technical term for what I've done is a tear of the tibial collateral ligament and plantar plate, and a minor bone contusion. It’s the knuckle of my right big toe. It seemed so minor at the time, like just a little tweak, but it’s taking like forever to heal.

How did it happen?

After my first heat in Portugal I was free surfing this little beachie, went for an air reverse, and as I landed my board pushed back at me from the shock wave and bent my toe up and across. It was sore, and I knew it was hurt straight away, but had no idea the extent of the injury.  Just a toe injury you know? You don’t really stress too much about them but it’s proving to be a bit of a mission.

How is the rehab going and when do you reckon you’ll be back 100%?

The rehab’s pretty cool. I'm working hard in the gym, doing physio and acupuncture, as well as soft tissue work, bit of grinding. I’m on 2 sessions a day as well as a training session. I’m getting amped though. I'm going to be so fit and ready. Come Snapper these boys are not going to know what hit them!

We know bru, we know. In the meantime, what are your plans for summer?

At the moment all I can think about is getting my foot healed and strong. I'm going to be home in Cape Town until the wedding (Jordy is set to marry his fiancée Lyndall Jarvis in early Feb) and hopefully back in the water sometime in the early New Year. I'm already psyched!

Good luck. We’re rooting for you, so to speak.

Thanks.

If you want to watch the Billabong Pipe Masters hook in here - http://vanstriplecrownofsurfing.com/billabongpipemasters2013