Jordy Smith secured his seventh championship tour victory and first in eight years as he overcame Matthew McGillivray in a historic all-South African final at the the Surf City El Salvador Pro. Here is all you need to know:
Smith advanced through the men’s draw in impressive fashion, excelling as the waves improved in the final days of the competition. The 37-year-old overcame American Cole Houshmand by a score of 15.67 to 10.00 in the semi-finals to book a final against fellow South African Matthew McGillivray.
The first exhcanges came just moments after the horn sounded and Smith wasted no time showcasing his powerful form to post a 7.33 (out of a possible 10) over McGillivray, who fell on his opening maneuver.
Smith backed up his strong start and held a commanding lead heading into the back half of the final. McGillivray was able to respond and get in the heat with a 5.00, but as time dwindled, Smith found another Punta Roca wall that allowed him to showcase more of his powerful style and post a 6.93 to take the win.
Victory in the fourth event of the 2025 World Surf League season has moved Smith to fifth in the rankings, a position he’ll be hoping to maintain or improve on to ensure a place in finals day in Fiji.
“I think just for South Africa in general, this means a lot. I can’t believe it, to be honest. If I could dedicate this to two people, my wife and my father. I wanted to ride my father’s board in this final and win on it, and to do it is incredible. I just kept telling myself you can do it, you’re going to do it. It’s just so hard to take it all, it’s been so long. I’m just happy to do it with another fellow South African. I can’t say enough good words about Matthew. He’s a long-time friend and to share a final with him is really special.”
Smith, whose remarkable career spans 18 years among the world’s best on the CT, said:
Over in the women’s event, American Gabriela Bryan secured back-to-back Surf City El Salvador finals appearances and the second CT victory of her career. The 2022 Rookie of the Year eliminated reigning World Champion Caity Simmers in the semi-finals to book a place in the final against Isabella Nichols of Australia.
The duo went blow for blow in the final before Bryan was presented with a pristine set of waves, belting multiple power gauges to post a 7.83 and secure the victory. The 23-year-old moves into the number two spot in the world rankings as she goes in search of making her maiden appearance in the Final 5.
“That was such an insane rollercoaster final. I made some mistakes, but I was just thinking, ‘please give me one more wave, and I won’t mess it up.’ I’m feeling so good. I’ve had an amazing time in El Salvador. Right-hand point breaks are my favorite, and this is one of the best in the world. Getting to compete at it is amazing, and the crew I’m surrounded with is the best.”
Bryan said:
The next stop on the 2025 Championship Tour will be the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy. The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach will hold a competition window from Friday, 18 April through Monday, 28 April 2025.
