Sport

Jordy Smith: SA Surfer of the Year

6 July 2010

Jordy Smith, currently among the top three surfers in the world rankings and widely recognised for producing some of the most innovative surfing ever, has been named South Africa's Surfer of the Year.

Smith's award was greeted by rapturous applause from the crowd at Durban's Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World on Sunday evening, following a year in which he solidified his growing reputation as one of the world's most exciting surfers, and boosted South Africa's reputation as one of the leaders in world surfing.

In a short space of time the Durban local has a gone from dominating the junior ranks to being a world beater, finishing in 11th place in the 2009 year-end ASP ratings. He's doing even better in 2010 and is currently ranked second in this season's ratings.

Together with nine-time world champion Kelly Slater (current number one) and Australian Taj Burrow (current number three), the trio holds a comfortable lead over the rest of the pack.

Groundbreaking free-surfing

But it's not only Smith's charge for the title that helped him crack the prestigious nod. His groundbreaking free-surfing performances over the past year are testament to his freakish ability, and he has been widely recognised for producing some of the most innovative surfing ever.

Cape Town big wave rider Chris Bertish picked up a major award. His winning performance as an underdog in the Mavericks contest helped sway the decision to give him the 'Pushing the Boundaries' title.

Over the last few years Bertish has risen to the top of the big wave pack and has become a key player in the South African big wave movement. At the Mavericks event, the modest Capetonian walked away with gold in conditions many called 'the biggest surf ever for a contest'.

SA big in big wave surfing

Along with the likes of Grant Baker, Bertish has been instrumental in putting South Africa's name on top of the big wave surfing world.

The 'Pushing the Boundaries' award is, however, by no means limited to big wave accomplishments, although it was once again a big wave surfer who raised his hand for the award this year.

Three more South African legends were inducted into the Surfing Hall of Fame, namely Peers Pittard, Christine Petrucci (1942-2009) and Hugh Roe. Classic archive photos of Peers, Christine and Hugh accompanied the legends as they were honoured. Petrucci’s award was accepted on her behalf by her son and daughter.

Photographer of the Year

The Surf Photographer of the Year award was deservedly won by Greg Ewing (SAinfo note: check out his website, link on the right. Ewing's work is world class). His continued hard work and dedication to the art has helped him emerge as the country's leading surf photographer over the past 12 months.

The award was decided by a public vote and a prestigious panel that included Surfer Magazine photo editor Grant Ellis, Surfing Magazine photo editor Peter Taras, and legendary SA lensman Chris van Lennep.

The Blowing Up Performer Award, awarded to the country's most exciting up-and-coming junior surfer under the age of 20 went the way of Beyrick de Vries. He wreaked havoc on the local contest scene, stepped it up overseas with an impressive ASP WQS campaign beyond his years, captained the South African junior team, and set the benchmark with his free-surfing.

Agent of Change award

Cecil Solomon was given the Agent of Change award. The award goes to an individual, group or body that embodies the spirit of transformation, spreading the stoke of surfing among all communities, and at all levels.

Solomon has done exactly that for more than 20 years, as founder of the country's first non-racial surf club, and by growing through the ranks of the unified sporting body to become president of Surfing South Africa. His energy has remained focused on grassroots-level surfing, and he has achieved it all with a humble approach and nothing but the love of surfing as his reward.

Thanks to a generous sponsorship by Carling Black Label, Brandon Jackson and Steven Price were able to walk away with six and 12 month supplies of the product for the best 80s getout and most ridiculous 80s kit respectively.

Floating trophies

The floating trophies for ASP Africa went to Royden Bryson from Cape Town (men's division), Chad du Toit from Durban (pro junior men) and Sarah Baum from Durban (pro junior women).

The Surfing South Africa Pro Surf Tour winners were Bianca Buitendag from George (pro junior girls), Chris Leppan from Umhlanga Rocks (pro junior boys), Chantal Rautenbach from Melkbos Strand (women) and Warner Beach powerhouse Gary van Wieringen (men).

All the tour winners, along with the recipients of the various other awards, were presented with giant canvases of themselves surfing to commemorate the evening.

South African surfers who are current members of the prestigious World Tour include Nikita Robb (East London), Rosy Hodge (East London), Travis Logie (Durban) and Jordy Smith (Durban).

SAinfo reporter