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"contents": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eight years is an entire career for many elite sports people, but South Africa’s Jordy Smith is no ordinary professional.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He has been surfing on the World Surf League (WSL) Tour for 18 years, starting back in 2008 when it had a different name and when Kelly Slater was in his pomp.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On Saturday, 12 April, Smith – now 37 and the oldest man on tour – won the Surf City El Salvador Profor his first WSL title in eight years.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smith’s previous win on tour came in 2017 at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach in Australia, where the WSL Tour heads next for round five of the 2025 season.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eight years between titles is massive, but is testament to his skill, drive, longevity and commitment to the sport.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2675590\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Jordy-Smith_25ElSal_ESH_4012_Emma-Sharon-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" /> <em>Jordy Smith of South Africa celebrates winning the Surf City El Salvador Pro at Punta Roca, La Libertad, El Salvador. (Photo: Emma Sharon/World Surf League)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To add to the glorious day for South African surfing, Smith met fellow South Africa Matt McGillivray on the right-hand point break at Punta Roca in the final.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was the first all-South African final in the history of the WSL, marking a significant milestone for McGillivray himself on his maiden appearance in a final.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It also led to some last-minute logistics issues for the 28-year-old McGillivray, who had booked flights out of El Salvador on the day of the final.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Punta Roca break is not dissimilar to Jeffreys Bay where McGillivray lives and where Smith surfs regularly and where he has previously won on the WSL.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For South African surfing it was a huge moment, similar to</span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-07-29-sas-surfing-medallist-bianca-buitendags-next-challenge-is-all-about-giving-back/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bianca Buitendag’s silver</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at the Tokyo Olympics.</span>\r\n\r\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkHaKNEtKfM\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The four- to six-foot sets for the final were not massive, but enough for Smith to show his skills, riding a board shaped by his father, Graham.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smith dropped a score of 7.33 (out of 10) on the first wave of the final, showcasing his full array of skills, which, as it turned out, was a decisive blow right out of the gates.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">McGillivray just couldn’t find the right wave to unseat the experienced Smith, who added a 6.93 score late in the heat for a combined total of 14.26.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">McGillivray could only muster a combined total of 9.33 in the tricky and inconsistent conditions for the final.</span>\r\n<h4><b>Tears and thanks</b></h4>\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2675587\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Men-Finalists_25ElSal_AH2_5649_Aaron-Hughes-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" /> <em>Matthew McGillivray and Jordy Smith of South Africa after the Final at the Surf City El Salvador Pro at Punta Roca, La Libertad, El Salvador. (Photo: Aaron Hughes/World Surf League)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A tearful Smith, who is now up to fifth on the overall standings after four of 11 rounds, dedicated the win to his wife Lyndall and to his father.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“I think just for South Africa in general, this means a lot. I can’t believe it, to be honest,” Smith said.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“If I could dedicate this to two people. My wife, and all the wives and husbands who let us do this, it means the world to me. And to my father. I wanted to ride my father’s board in this final and win on it, and to do it is incredible.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“I just kept telling myself you can do it, you’re going to do it. It’s just four more waves, and you’re going to do it. It’s just so hard to take it all, it’s been so long. And I’m just happy to do it with another fellow South African.”</span>\r\n\r\n<strong>Read more:</strong><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-07-22-inspirational-jordy-smith-still-riding-the-crest-of-the-wave-as-olympic-dream-comes-true/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Inspirational Jordy Smith still riding the crest of the wave as Olympic dream comes true</span></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He also praised McGillivray, who took down event favourite Yago Dora from Brazil and the highly rated Colapinto brothers Crosby and Griffin, on his way to the final.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“I can’t say enough good words about Matthew [McGillivray]. He’s a long-time friend and to share a final with him is really, really special,” Smith said. </span><b>DM</b>",
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"description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eight years is an entire career for many elite sports people, but South Africa’s Jordy Smith is no ordinary professional.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He has been surfing on the World Surf League (WSL) Tour for 18 years, starting back in 2008 when it had a different name and when Kelly Slater was in his pomp.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On Saturday, 12 April, Smith – now 37 and the oldest man on tour – won the Surf City El Salvador Profor his first WSL title in eight years.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smith’s previous win on tour came in 2017 at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach in Australia, where the WSL Tour heads next for round five of the 2025 season.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eight years between titles is massive, but is testament to his skill, drive, longevity and commitment to the sport.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2675590\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2560\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2675590\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Jordy-Smith_25ElSal_ESH_4012_Emma-Sharon-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" /> <em>Jordy Smith of South Africa celebrates winning the Surf City El Salvador Pro at Punta Roca, La Libertad, El Salvador. (Photo: Emma Sharon/World Surf League)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To add to the glorious day for South African surfing, Smith met fellow South Africa Matt McGillivray on the right-hand point break at Punta Roca in the final.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was the first all-South African final in the history of the WSL, marking a significant milestone for McGillivray himself on his maiden appearance in a final.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It also led to some last-minute logistics issues for the 28-year-old McGillivray, who had booked flights out of El Salvador on the day of the final.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Punta Roca break is not dissimilar to Jeffreys Bay where McGillivray lives and where Smith surfs regularly and where he has previously won on the WSL.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For South African surfing it was a huge moment, similar to</span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-07-29-sas-surfing-medallist-bianca-buitendags-next-challenge-is-all-about-giving-back/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bianca Buitendag’s silver</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at the Tokyo Olympics.</span>\r\n\r\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkHaKNEtKfM\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The four- to six-foot sets for the final were not massive, but enough for Smith to show his skills, riding a board shaped by his father, Graham.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smith dropped a score of 7.33 (out of 10) on the first wave of the final, showcasing his full array of skills, which, as it turned out, was a decisive blow right out of the gates.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">McGillivray just couldn’t find the right wave to unseat the experienced Smith, who added a 6.93 score late in the heat for a combined total of 14.26.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">McGillivray could only muster a combined total of 9.33 in the tricky and inconsistent conditions for the final.</span>\r\n<h4><b>Tears and thanks</b></h4>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2675587\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2560\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2675587\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Men-Finalists_25ElSal_AH2_5649_Aaron-Hughes-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" /> <em>Matthew McGillivray and Jordy Smith of South Africa after the Final at the Surf City El Salvador Pro at Punta Roca, La Libertad, El Salvador. (Photo: Aaron Hughes/World Surf League)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A tearful Smith, who is now up to fifth on the overall standings after four of 11 rounds, dedicated the win to his wife Lyndall and to his father.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“I think just for South Africa in general, this means a lot. I can’t believe it, to be honest,” Smith said.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“If I could dedicate this to two people. My wife, and all the wives and husbands who let us do this, it means the world to me. And to my father. I wanted to ride my father’s board in this final and win on it, and to do it is incredible.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“I just kept telling myself you can do it, you’re going to do it. It’s just four more waves, and you’re going to do it. It’s just so hard to take it all, it’s been so long. And I’m just happy to do it with another fellow South African.”</span>\r\n\r\n<strong>Read more:</strong><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-07-22-inspirational-jordy-smith-still-riding-the-crest-of-the-wave-as-olympic-dream-comes-true/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Inspirational Jordy Smith still riding the crest of the wave as Olympic dream comes true</span></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He also praised McGillivray, who took down event favourite Yago Dora from Brazil and the highly rated Colapinto brothers Crosby and Griffin, on his way to the final.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“I can’t say enough good words about Matthew [McGillivray]. He’s a long-time friend and to share a final with him is really, really special,” Smith said. </span><b>DM</b>",
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Jordy Smith of South Africa celebrates winning the Surf City El Salvador Pro at Punta Roca, La Libertad, El Salvador. (Photo: Emma Sharon/World Surf League)
Matthew McGillivray and Jordy Smith of South Africa after the Final at the Surf City El Salvador Pro at Punta Roca, La Libertad, El Salvador. (Photo: Aaron Hughes/World Surf League)