5 Game-Changing Tips
Achieve success with Jordy Smith’s powerful lessons.
Jordy Smith is an absolute powerhouse, born and raised along the world-class shorelines of Durban, South Africa. He grew up in his Dad's shaping bay in Durban and surfed his way into 15 years on the WSL Championship Tour. Jordy Smith has lived a wild life on his own terms.
Jordy has made his mark in the surfing world and left quite a lasting impression on the sport. Jordy is well known for his practical and simple outlook on life and his strong swimming skills. Jordy has won many World Surf League titles and is known for his creative and powerful style.
Jordy's heart is still deeply rooted in South Africa, and he believes his attitude towards life and surfing has been shaped by the vitality and natural beauty of his homeland. Jordy's persistent dedication to improvement, mental strength and giving back to the community is what continues to motivate surfers and fans everywhere and we can learn some valuable lessons from him
#1 Consistency Over Perfection
Jordy Smith has received a lot of recognition for his consistency in surfing. Yes, Jordy does perform some off-the-charts tricks and massive airs, but he still maintains his ability to maintain high-quality performances over extended periods is what really makes him stand out. He puts effort into being consistent in his surfing approach rather than constantly searching for the ideal ride.
Jordy mentions that the reason he has been able to stay relevant in the fast-changing surfers world is because of consistency. He follows a good routine and performs surfing fundamentals flawlessly and this is how he has managed to stay on top for so long. His ability to perform consistently under any circumstances has made him a strong and successful competitor.
Perfection Is not how we reach excellence. It's about being there every day, working hard and following through on the process even when it's difficult.
#2 Having the Mindset of ‘Creating Your Own Luck’
Jordy Smith says that the opportunity for success will not just fall into your lap, we are all responsible for creating our own opportunities. Jordy mentioned in an interview with Stab Magazine, that when people say someone is "lucky" to catch the ideal wave or have a good run, they are seeing someone who has practised for years, mastered the art of reading waves, and caught the right moment.
For Jordy, waiting for the right opportunity to present itself is not the way to success. It's all about setting yourself up for success and making it happen for yourself. Regardless of the sport, this lesson shows us that we can improve our chances of success and control our destiny by consistently improving our abilities and being organised.
#3 Push Yourself to the Limit, Even in Familiar Situations
Jordy Smith believes that true success and improvement are only achieved when one is outside the constraints of their comfort zone, even in familiar situations. Many professional surfers concentrate on perfecting the same tricks or skills, but this inevitably reaches a plateau. The key to Jordy’s success is that through his surfing journey, he has challenged himself to become skilled in all kinds of waves from large barrels to performing tricks on smaller waves.
One of the main reasons for Jordy's success has been his relentless drive to develop and broaden his skill set. Even in situations where he already feels competent, he has discussed the significance of pushing past what is comfortable.
Everyone can benefit from this lesson as you should always push yourself, even in situations that are familiar, there is always something to learn and room for improvement.
#4 Prioritise Mental Health and Well-Being
Surfing is a physically taxing sport, but Jordy has always paid attention to maintaining his mental well-being through it all. He is outspoken in his belief that mental health is equally as important as physical conditioning. Jordy devotes his surfing success to some mental health techniques he has used such as mindfulness and meditation.
Jordy has shared how difficult it is to maintain focus and composure during competitive heats and he frequently mentions the importance of taking some time to centre himself before entering the water. His mindful approach to surf events with composure and clarity has improved his performance under pressure.
The main lesson here is that mental well-being is equally important to physical readiness. You position yourself for success in every aspect of life when you take the time to look after your mental health.
#5 Giving Back and Helping the Next Generation
Jordy Smith is more than one of the best surf legends in the world, he also has a strong commitment to helping the surfing community, especially the young rising generation. He mentors and guides rising surfers through his involvement in several youth surfing organisations. As part of his personal philosophy, Jordy believes in giving back which is why a lot of younger surfers look up to him.
In one of Jordy’s interviews, he mentions how the surfing community helped him when he was a kid and what a meaningful impact that has had in his surfing journey, now he hopes to return the favour by giving the upcoming generation of surfers access to tools and mentorship. He encourages the next generation to remember the sport's origins, stay grounded and pursue their ambitions.
This serves as a reminder that real success involves more than just personal accomplishments, it is also about assisting others in the process. Through teaching, sharing resources and knowledge or simply providing support when needed. Jordy's example inspires us to be mentors and give back.
KIMA SURF X JORDY SMITH’S PRINCIPLES
Jordy Smith’s successful surfing journey is proof that perseverance, concentration, lifelong learning and giving back are valuable life lessons to follow. These teachings apply to anyone who aspires to be the best in both their personal and professional lives, not only surfers.Jordy’s aspirations to teach kids to surf is inspiring, and at Kima Surf we believe everyone should try surfing at least once in their lifetime and this is possible with our Learn To Surf program, perfect for complete beginners to learn all the surfing basics.
At Kima Surf, we uphold Jordy's values of pushing boundaries, maintaining mental strength and giving back to the community. Are you prepared to push yourself, pick up tips from the greatest, and advance in your surfing career? Plan your upcoming surf trip with Kima Surf and come surf Bali’s best surf spots or Sri Lanka’s best surf spots.
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