Jordy wins at Home

Jordy Smith made his homeland proud this weekend by winning the Mr Price Pro Ballito. It is a fitting win as Smith grew up in Durban and no doubt had his friends and family cheering him on as he powered his way to victory.

“I haven’t won an event in front of my home crowd since I was fifteen,” Smith said (Smith won the ISA World Junior Games in Durban). “This is just wild! I am so happy right now I don’t event know what to say!”

The finals saw Smith face youngster Casey Grant who also hails from KZN, and who was by no means ready to roll over for the much-praised Smith. Grant got a three second barrel that brought within striking distance after Smith comboed him early on in the heat. Unfortunately for the Stottburgh local it wasn’t his day and Smith sealed the deal with a 7.93 point ride late in the heat. It is probably safe to say that both surfers were happy with the way things turned out, and their wallets weren’t complaining either as Smith took home a handsome R121 000 and Grant R68 222.

“I never dreamed I would be up here alongside Jordy,” Grant said. “It’s such an honour because I have looked up to him my whole life. It’s been an amazing day and I can’t wait till that prize money comes in! It’s been a blessing to be in contention for the title and to win all this money. Words cant even described how stoked I am right now!”

The contest was run through an interesting mix of conditions, with some beautiful mornings of surf on the North Coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal and a smattering of on-shores here and there. Easterly swell and light offshore winds on most mornings ensured that there were some heaving barrels for the contestants to weave through, and plenty of spills to keep the crowds entertained. It was clear that the waves were good enough to keep even professional surfers happy and Smith said about the surf “I haven’t had waves this good for a while, I’ve been travelling all around the world and it’s crazy to say that the best waves in the world are in my back yard,”

By winning the event Smith propelled himself into the No 1 position on the ASP world tour rankings, and is in a very commanding spot coming into the Billabong Pro J-Bay. With a huge SW swell hitting J-Bay the day the contest starts, and Joel Parkinson out of the running due to a laceration of the heel, it is sure to be an interesting next step for the young South African star.

For more pics, news and video of Jordy go to www.jordysmith.com