Shaping Jordy. Surf tripping with MFeb and Jordy

For itinerant professional surfers Jordy Smith and Michael February, the proverbial ‘silver lining’ on the cloud that shrouded, was a spitting barrel in an uncrowded lineup... On home soil.

Many spitting barrels. Each. Too many to count in fact. Unable to travel internationally, Jordy and the man known as ‘MFeb’ took full advantage as soon as lockdown restrictions were lifted locally, to load up Jordy’s Jeep Wrangler and go surf tripping.

The duo’s timing turned out to be perfect, and they scored some of the best spots in South Africa in what was one of the best winters for waves in recent memory.

Now, MFeb and Jordy had never done a trip together because of their busy schedules and Jordy’s plan was to ‘take a few feathers out of MFeb’s stylish cap.’

You see, February did his time on the competitive circuit and ticked the Championship Tour box in 2018. After not re-qualifying for the 2019 CT, he smoothly shed the contest singlet for good. He then carved a niche as the poster boy for smooth lines, alternative craft and one-footed Judo floaters. Jordy wanted to tap into those vibes.

Jordy, finding the best barrels of the trip.

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The boys started their journey up in Durban, where Jordy grew up. From there they made their way southwest down the East Coast stopping at some known (and other much-lesser-known) spots along the way, connecting with various surfers as they went. Then, via the famed right-hand pointbreak of Jeffreys Bay with which Jordy has such a close connection, and the Southern Cape (known as the Eden District) they ended up in the clear, icy barrels of Cape Town. An epic journey of well over 1,000 miles (1,600km).

“I don’t think it could have come at a better time,” Jordy says. “On tour, your mindset stays in that

Mikey as far as his style goes I mean, it’s just really effortless. It’s easy on the eye. He’s very pleasing to watch. I think he’s an old soul as far as a surfer goes. Jordy

MFeb, ready for the dawnie.

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competitive zone the entire year. This year – with everything that’s happened – it’s allowed me to break away from that and just really relax. That’s really been refreshing.”

Jordy, always in the air, always rotating.

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While the underlying theme is about the coast and people who ‘shaped’ Jordy’s career, it is also very much about the alternative surfboard shapes Mikey chooses to ride. For Jordy, fully focused on performance the entire year, it was an eye-opener to a different angle on approaching waves. And, it got him just more amped to surf.

Jordy, spreading the love of surfing wherever he goes.

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Power moves on the east coast.

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South coast perfection

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Waves for days. If you know, you know.

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“I think the more I free surf, and the more I score those excellent days, the more I grow, and I fall even more in love with surfing.” says Jordy.

MFeb, finding his groove.

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On a world tour title hunt this year. Go Jordy!

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“I often think to myself: ‘Is that even possible?’ But I do! I just continue to get that excitement of where you’re just chomping at the bit to be able to get on that next swell. To drive all hours of the night just for that single wave - you know, it’s the greatest high ever.”