Cloudbreak, Fiji – September 1, 2025
South African veteran Jordy Smith capped off a resurgent season with a third-place finish at the World Surf League Finals in Fiji this past weekend. The 37-year-old Durban-born surfer, competing in his 19th year on tour, once again proved his consistency at the elite level, booking his place in the season-ending showdown through a series of high-calibre performances across the globe.
Finals Weekend in Fiji
The WSL Finals followed its now familiar winner-takes-all format, where the top five surfers battled through a seeded elimination bracket to decide the 2025 world champion. Smith entered the day ranked second overall after an excellent campaign, giving him direct entry into Match 3, just one heat away from the title decider.
Awaiting him was American Griffin Colapinto, the third seed, who advanced after victories earlier in the day. Heading into their clash, Smith had won five of their eight previous head-to-head heats, but at Cloudbreak it was Colapinto who found the stronger rhythm in the 4–6 foot surf. Posting a 15.43 heat total against Smith’s 13.50, Colapinto edged out the South African and progressed to the title match.
While the loss ended Smith’s title hopes, his third-place finish cemented his position among the sport’s very best in 2025.
Smith’s Road to the Finals
Smith’s qualification for Fiji was built on a season of consistent results and big performances. He finished the year with 50,835 points, ranking second on the Championship Tour leaderboard heading into the Finals. His campaign was highlighted by two event victories – at the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal and the Western Australia Margaret River Pro – where he earned maximum points.
Other strong showings included a runner-up finish at the Surf City El Salvador Pro, a semifinal appearance at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, and solid quarterfinal runs at J-Bay and Rio. Though some early-season events yielded mid-table results, Smith’s ability to rebound and rack up deep runs proved decisive in securing his place in the top two.
A Veteran Still at the Top
At 37 years old, Smith remains one of the tallest and most powerful surfers on tour, standing at 6’3” and weighing 88kg. Since debuting in 2006, he has carried the South African flag proudly on the world surfing circuit, inspiring a generation of surfers from Durban and beyond. His 2025 campaign has been heralded as one of his most consistent in recent years, silencing doubts about whether age would dim his competitive edge.
Looking Ahead
Although the world title slipped through his grasp in Fiji, Smith’s third-place overall finish underlines his status as a genuine contender. With his trademark mix of power and finesse, and nearly two decades of experience at the highest level, the South African icon has shown he is still capable of pushing for surfing’s ultimate prize.
For More South African Sports News: Sport South Africa Home Page
