The Durban-born surfing icon, Jordy Smith, enters the Final five, ranked second in the world, with just three heats standing between him and a long-awaited world crown.
Fiji (01 September 2025) – The stage is set for the Lexus WSL Finals Fiji, with competition expected to begin tomorrow at the legendary Cloudbreak reef. The World Surf League has confirmed that the final call will depend on swell conditions, but anticipation is already building for a showdown that will decide the 2025 world champion.
Among the five surfers competing for the crown is South Africa’s Jordy Smith, who has enjoyed one of the strongest seasons of his 18-year career. After 11 events on the Championship Tour, Jordy secured two victories and consistently finished near the top of the leaderboard, achievements that cemented his spot in the prestigious Final 5.
At 36, Jordy is surfing with the same power and precision that made him one of South Africa’s most successful sporting exports. His performances this season saw him don the yellow jersey at multiple stops, a symbol of leadership at the top of the rankings and proof of his ability to deliver across different conditions.
Qualifying for the Final 5 represents more than just another milestone in Jordy’s long career. It signals a return to his very best form, putting him within touching distance of the world title. With just three heats standing between him and glory, the Durban-born athlete now faces one of the biggest challenges of his career on one of the sport’s most iconic stages.
Jordy’s rise has long been supported by a strong family foundation, with his parents Graham and Luellen instilling encouragement and resilience from his earliest days on the surfboard.
This season has already been a standout for Jordy, highlighted not only by his global campaign but also by a memorable performance at the J-Bay Open in July. The event’s return to the Championship Tour calendar after a one-year Olympic break drew massive crowds, and Smith once again showcased why Jeffreys Bay remains one of his strongest arenas.
Now, as he prepares for the finals in Fiji, Jordy carries both momentum and the weight of expectation. For South Africa, his presence in the Final 5 is a point of pride. But for Jordy? It is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to etch his name in surfing history.
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