20 Consecutive Years On Tour? Jordy Smith May Be The First

Originally posted on SURFER | By Chris Dodds | Last updated Mar 28, 2025 1:06 PM ET

In the newest episode of Pack Heavy, Chase Light (PHCL)the brilliant episodic series by Sam Moody, presented by DB, we get an intimate look at the man behind one of the longest consecutive careers in pro surfing, Jordy Smith. Since joining the tour in 2008, and being named rookie of the year at 20 years young, he has been a perennial world title threat for nearly half of his life and has racked up 6 WSL event wins, 2 Olympic Qualifications, as well as an impressive roster of film projects and countless hours spent chasing the world’s best waves.

Such is the life of a phenomenal surfing talent or, at least, that’s what we are presented–the reality is that there is so much more than meets the eye and Jordy, ever sharp, has his eyes on the right prize. His greatest accomplishment of all? That his family is such a part of his life and the realization that surfing is just what he does, not who he is…but he still loves that as much as ever.

Manager and long-time friend Damien Fahrenfort assures that, “even if he hadn’t made a ton of money surfing, he would still be doing the same thing. Surfing is in his DNA.” A fact that, coupled with his hands-on approach to filmmaking, means that whoever’s filming may very well be out there for 5 hours, trying to get the best clips, only to miss the wave of the day after all the batteries are dead and he’s still going.

Rather than slow him down, the birth of his son has only strengthened his appreciation for his life and career and he happily brings his family in tow whenever he can. He says that, while it made him train harder, it also took the pressure off of competition, making him an even greater competitor. A loss no longer means days of frustration–hours, yes–but it all fades away with the dawn of a new day he gets to spend with his family.

The episode is set within an Arctic surf journey, in which Jordy absolutely shreds in empty lineups backed by vast and dramatic landscapes, and features archival footage from his near 20 consecutive years on tour. He celebrates the fact that he has come full circle with his dad, a shaper, who made his first boards and helped him travel until age 18; to now, he’s back to working with his dad at Smith Shapes, and has his own grom who needs help with travel.

If anything, this episode is an affirmation that Jordy–known for being an aerial wizard–will continue to fly as long as he keeps surfing.

For more epic storytelling from Sam Moody and Hallvard Kolltveit, be sure to subscribe to DB on YouTube.

This article first appeared on SURFER and was syndicated with permission.

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