A shark sighting didn’t keep these South Africans out of the water. Photo: Jordy Smith//screenshot
I feel like I blinked, and suddenly Jordy Smith is the oldest surfer on the men’s Championship Tour. After a runner-up finish in 2010, it seemed like a world title was an inevitability for the South African. However, despite another second place in 2016, and a third last year, the title eluded the regular foot as the era of John John Florence and the Brazilian Storm eclipsed him.
As Jordy Smith prepares for what could be his final year on tour — though there are no concrete indications of that yet — another young South African, Luke Thompson, has qualified, poised to take up the baton.
Thompson has had a rough start to his rookie year. He’s ranked 32nd out of 34. But if he is to turn things around, emulating the surfing and career of Smith is a good way to start.
The duo, along with South African surfer Luke Slijpen, have been spending time together, searching for waves along the coast of their home country.
Before one session at a beachbreak, they spotted a shark patrolling the lineup.
“What do we do? Wait a little bit then go out?” Smith asked.
They ended up going out, even with the risk of sharks. I suppose South Africans are used to it. Smith still looks spry as he approaches 40, and Thompson shows a level of surfing that he hasn’t unlocked yet on the big stage. Perhaps with a bit more experience under his belt, and some insights from Smith, he’ll be able to turn it around during the back half of the season.
