Watch: The Best Session of Jordy Smith’s Life

Originally posted on SURFER | By August Howell | Last updated Jan 20, 2026 2:13 PM ET

Two years ago, Jordy Smith graced the surfing world at large with Plus27. After a gestation period, I feel the same now as I did then: In a career spanning almost two decades, it’s one of the better projects Jordy has ever produced. And it’s anchored by a stupefying closing section at a wave that refuses to close out.

Apparently, that roping sand point was in/around Jordy’s hometown of Durban, according to the caption in his latest YouTube video. This edit features the same waves from that concluded Plus27. Jordy makes no qualms about it, calling these sessions of 37 spins around the sun.

It feels, for lack of a better word, balanced. I think this is part because this is a wave that is so perfectly suited to Jordy’s strengths. Power meets power on a point break juiced on steroids.Fast, powerful, hollow, big turn sections and blue freeways to open the throttle. A Jed Smith of Ain’t That Swell put it, “It’s amazing to see a surfer of that quality in the exact kind of waves that match his ability.”

Even for a guy who has lapped the world several times over and surfs for a living, this was a significant moment for Jordy. “Paddling out in the dark and surfing by myself for the first hour was amazing,” he shared online. “But then to have one of my best friends (Chad Detroit) be the first person I saw, is (was) a day I won’t ever forget. Along with a few others that followed this is what it’s all about. Incredible waves with friends.”

I lost track of the number of barrels Jordy gets spat out of in six and a half minutes. Hit play and try for yourself. Best of luck.

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

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