Jordy Smith has carved out a place among surfing’s elite with his powerful, fluid style and clutch performances on the World Surf League Championship Tour. From his early days riding waves off Durban to clinching multiple CT event wins and representing South Africa at two Olympics, Smith’s journey blends raw talent, family roots in board shaping, and savvy sponsorships.
In this article, we will explore the life, career, net worth, and other aspects of this icon.
Jordy Smith’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jordan Michael “Jordy” Smith |
| Date of Birth | 11 February 1988 |
| Age | 37 |
| Education | Glenwood High School, Durban |
| Nationality | South African |
| Height | 190 cm (6 ft 3 in) |
| Weight | 86 kg (190 lb) |
| Turned Pro | 2007 (World Championship Tour) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $1.7 million in prize money and endorsements |
| Salary/Career Earnings | Annual salary around $940,000 |
| Wife | Lyndall Jarvis (married 2014) |
| Children | One son (Ziggy) |
| Instagram Profile | @jordysmith88 |
| Twitter Profile | @jordysmith |
Early Career
Jordy Smith grew up in Durban, where his father Graham ran a surfboard shaping bay and held the South African licence for Lost Surfboards. From the age of three, Jordy was paddling out in Durban’s relatively gentle breaks, absorbing his father’s craftsmanship and the culture of constant wave pursuit.
He entered local junior competitions by his early teens and quickly became known for his explosive aerials and fearless approach in heavy surf.
Smith overcame personal hardship when a contractual dispute with his first major sponsor left him temporarily without stable support. His family rallied behind him—his father even sold the family home to cover legal penalties—demonstrating the tight-knit bond that has informed Jordy’s resilience ever since.
By 18, he struck back impressively on the world stage, claiming the 2006 World Junior Championship at North Narrabeen in Australia. That win showcased his knack for mastering both barrels and big-air manoeuvres.
Smith dominated the World Qualifying Series, topping the leaderboard and earning a coveted spot on the elite World Championship Tour at just 19. His rookie CT season involved adapting to powerful reef breaks from Teahupo’o to Pipeline.
Despite early setbacks and occasional injuries, he ended the year ranked 26th—a solid foundation given the leap from junior ranks to the world’s best. The following season he leapt into serious title contention, finishing 11th overall in 2008 and proving that his blend of raw power and technical flair could take him deep into CT heats.
Professional Career
Smith’s CT career is defined by standout victories, near-misses on the world title, and a reputation for carrying South African surfing on his broad shoulders. In 2010, he seized his first CT win at the Billabong Pro at Jeffreys Bay, electrifying his home crowd with strategic tube rides and big turns on perfectly peaking points. That breakthrough fueled a runner-up finish in the world title race, just behind Kelly Slater, and cemented Jordy as a genuine title threat.
He continued to pick off wins: the Billabong Rio Pro in 2013 showcased his adaptability to shifting beach breaks, and back-to-back triumphs at Hurley Pro Trestles in 2014 and 2016 demonstrated his mastery of California’s fast, rippable waves.
Despite coming agonisingly close to the world crown again in 2016—falling to John John Florence in the Pipe Masters—Smith remained one of the tour’s most consistent performers, combining solid average heat scores with dynamic aerials like his signature “rodeo flip.”
Jordy added the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach to his trophy cabinet in 2017 and won the Outerknown Founders’ Cup at Sunset Beach in 2018. His career wasn’t without challenges: a knee injury in 2021 briefly sidelined him, while the COVID-19 pandemic forced tour cancellations in 2020.
Yet he bounced back each time, maintaining top-10 world rankings and extending his CT tenure well into his mid-30s, a rarity in a sport dominated by younger, lighter surfers.
Wife
Smith married South African model Lyndall Jarvis in 2014 after several years of dating. The couple balances life between Durban, Cape Town, and San Clemente, where Jordy spends his off-season shaping boards and fine-tuning his aerial game.
They welcomed their son Ziggy a few years later, and Jordy often speaks of how fatherhood has reshaped his priorities—placing family alongside his lifelong quest for perfect waves.
Known for his laid-back yet deeply focused nature, Jordy credits Lyndall’s support with helping him navigate the intense world tour schedule. Whether sharing snaps of beach days in Jeffreys Bay or travel adventures across Indonesia and Europe, the Smith–Jarvis family project an image of warmth and groundedness, even as Jordy chases CT titles and Olympic medals.
Jordy Smith’s Net Worth Details
Jordy Smith’s net worth is estimated to be $1.7 million as of 2025.
Contract
Since joining the World Championship Tour in 2007, Smith has held multi-year contracts with major surf brands. His foundational deal with O’Neill provides boards, wetsuits, and travel support.
Channel Islands supplies custom surfboards shaped by his father’s bay, while Oakley outfits him with eyewear and performance gear. Red Bull sponsors his global travels, and partnerships with Neff headwear, Futures Fins, and Muzik headphones round out his core endorsements.
Salary
Jordy’s base salary from his primary sponsors and league stipends is reported at approximately $940,000 per year. This covers travel expenses, training costs, and provides a stable income regardless of event results, ensuring he can focus on refining his equipment and performance without financial uncertainty.
Career Earnings
| Year | Estimated Earnings (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | $848,680 | Career earnings up to 2012, as reported by Red Bull. |
| 2017 | ~$3,000,000 | Ranked #4 on Stab Magazine’s Rich List, including endorsements. |
| 2025 | Up to $1.7 million | Estimated annual earnings from surfing competitions. |
| $2–3 million | Estimated annual earnings from endorsements. |
Career Stats
| Year | Rank | Points | Events | Heats | Max Heat Score | Best Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 22,715 | 6 | 19 | 13.16 | 1st |
| 2024 | 8 | 32,385 | 9 | 27 | 12.13 | 3rd (×2) |
| 2023 | 16 | 27,325 | 10 | 22 | 11.93 | 5th |
| 2022 | 14 | 30,175 | 10 | 25 | 13.20 | 5th (×3) |
| 2021 | 7 | 22,505 | 5 | 14 | 14.17 | 2nd |
FAQs
1. How did Jordy Smith get started in surfing?
He began riding waves at age three in Durban, thanks to his father Graham Smith’s surfboard shaping bay. Surrounded by boards and passionate surfers, he developed his skills early, winning his first junior events by his mid-teens.
2. What are Jordy Smith’s biggest career achievements?
Smith is a six-time World Surf League Championship Tour event winner, twice finished runner-up in the world title race (2010, 2016), clinched the 2006 World Junior Championship, and represented South Africa at the 2020 and 2024 Olympics.
3. Who sponsors Jordy Smith?
His key sponsors include O’Neill for wetsuits and gear, Channel Islands surfboards, Oakley eyewear, Red Bull for travel support, plus partnerships with Neff headwear, Futures Fins, Vestal Watches, Brand Black Shoes, and Muzik headphones.
4. What is Jordy Smith’s surf style known for?
He’s famed for powerful, fluid rail work and high-amplitude aerial manoeuvres like the “rodeo flip.” His ability to mix strong barrel rides with big-air tricks has kept him competitive in both heavy reef breaks and fast beach breaks.
5. How much does Jordy Smith earn each year?
His base salary from sponsors and the WSL is reported at about $940,000 annually. Additional prize money, performance bonuses, and endorsement deals push his total yearly income above the million-dollar mark.
