Bio taken from Grindtv.com
The 21-year-old prodigy born and raised in the rough and tumble land of Durban, South Africa is set to embark on his second year on the ASP Dream Tour after completing his long-awaited rookie year. The powerful regular-footer's spotless season in 2007 saw him claim both the 2006 ASP World Junior Championships as well as the ASP WQS season, qualifying for the coveted ASP Dream Tour in only one year. Before ever officially setting foot on the ASP World Tour stage as a regular campaigner, Smith had already earned results as a wildcard that exceed what some ASP Dream Tour surfers had ever achieved. Smith earned an astonishing third place finish at the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay in 2006 at the age of 18, and then returned as a wildcard in 2007 at the Boost Mobile Pro pres. by Hurley and smashed the likes of Joel "Parko" Parkinson and former ASP World Champ Andy Irons on the way to his ninth place finish.
With an innovative free-surfing approach compared to that of groundbreaking aerialist Dane Reynolds and a competitive mindset compared to that of nine-time ASP World Champ Kelly Slater, it is no wonder critics are touting Smith as the next surfer to eventually dominate the ASP World Tour scene. His novel approach to surfing combined with an intense competitive prowess leave the remainder of the top 45 fearing a draw against the youngster and it's a safe bet to say that there will be amazing things to come from Smith as he matures while his career progresses.
