The surfing world is backing South African veteran Jordy Smith to clinch a world title in 2025. The WSL Final Five event window in Fiji opened yesterday (Wednesday 27 August). However, organisers say they’re going to wait to the very end of the window to catch a breathtaking incoming swell on Tuesday 2 September. Meanwhile, 11-time world champion and surfing GOAT, Kelly Slater, is backing Jordy Smith for the title.
“After all these decades I’d like to see Jordy Smith win. The last time he was really in the running was in 2010 against me. So, 15 years’ later, it’s impressive to see him milk the journey and keep the motivation. He’s had a great year and I think it would be a great story if Jordy Smith won – it would be one for the ages,” Slater said.
JORDY SMITH WORLD TITLE IN 2025
South Africa’s only surfing world champion, Shaun Tomson, who won the title in 1977, is also backing Jordy Smith. “I really like all five finalists, they’re all super talented. But obviously being South African, and my dad having known the family, I’ll say it straight – I would like to see Jordy Smith win the world title. And that’s not taking anything from anyone else. It would be a good time for South Africa and a good time for Jordy Smith,” said Tomson.
Moreover, Smith winning in 2025 would represent a rare symmetry in his illustrious career. The Durban-born surfer was the WSL rookie of the year back in 2008 at age 20. If he secures a world title in 2025, he would be the second-oldest surfer to do so at age 37, after the GOAT Kelly Slater who won aged 38 and 39.
JORDY SMITH’S BEST YEAR ON TOUR
Win, lose or draw, Jordy Smith has had his best year on tour by quite some margin. It all kicked off with the amazing all-South African final in El Salvador with Matt McGillivray. From there, Jordy Smith powered through the ‘Aussie Treble’ to win in Margaret River, Western Australia. Not only did his performances secure him the leader’s yellow jersey but also a brand-new car.
Now, all that lies ahead is the Final Five shootout in Fiji. Jordy Smith is the second seed. So, he will have to defeat the winner of the heat between seeds three/four/five. And then defeat number one seed Brazilian Yago Dora. Something he was able to do a decade ago in Fiji when Dora competed as a wild card.
JORDY SMITH HAS NOTHING TO LOSE
Moreover, Jordy Smith will surf free of the pressure of the yellow jersey. As previous Final Fives has shown, seeds surfing from lower down the ranking often battle fatigue as they progress through the format. While higher seeds have the challenge of performing with little time in the water. Arguably, second seed Jordy Smith is best positioned to get into a rhythm with conditions and then really open up on the massive Tavarua walls.
Interestingly, WSL has also intimated that Finals Day on Tuesday 2 September may take place at a spot called ‘Restaurants’ instead of ‘Cloudbreak.’ This often occurs if the latter is too big, which may be the case due to the big swell. Also a barreling left-hand reef break, Jordy Smith calls ‘Restaurants’ one of his top-three favourite waves in the world. Could this be another advantage for the big South African?
WE’RE PROUD OF YOU, BRU!
What’s clear, no matter the outcome, is how exceedingly proud of Jordy Smith the surfing world is! What an ambassador the veteran has been in 2025 for both South Africa and the tour as a whole. A world title would simply be the cherry on top, but we can’t wait to see him put on an amazing show! Come on, Jordy Smith, this is your time – let’s crown another South African world champion!
Catch all the Final Five action on the WSL YouTube channel.
CAN JORDY SMITH PULL OFF A WORLD TITLE IN 2025?
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