We Talk Surfing with Jordy Maree

At only 15 years old, Jordy Maree has already stamped his name in the local surfing scene. We hooked up an interview with the ambitious young surfer who, with an already highlight stacked career, is going places. See what Jordy had to say and mark our words when we say “keep your eyes on this kid”.

Full Name: Jordan Maree

Nickname: Jordy

Age: 15

Home Town & Home Break: Kalk Bay

Surfboard: DVG

Sponsors: Hurley, Nixon, Futures Fins, Dakine, Von Zipper and DVG Surfboards

Tell us how you got started in Surfing and what is your passion for the sport?
I started surfing when I saw my dad going into the water at our local break and I wanted to be a surfer just like him, so I grabbed my body board ran down and started surfing on my body board. The next week I asked my dad for a surfboard and he bought me a Spider Murphy surfboard. That is the day I started surfing, at age 4. Now my motto is “Every day is a Surfing day” [laughs].
I am passionate about the water, the waves, how the ocean works, doing well and being respected in the water.

You are one of the top up and coming groms. What have been some of the highlights of your career so far?
Some of my best highlights are finishing 11th in the 2013 world junior surfing games, winning the Billabong Junior Series (U12, U14, U16), winning SA Champs, doing the best in my team at World Games and being the youngest surfer to be selected to be in the Invitational “Kalk Bay Shoot Out”.

What division will you be competing in this year?
I will be competing in Under 16 boys. I would also like to do some pro junior events which means U20.

Who do you think will be your main competition?
Matt McGillivray, Shane Sykes and Steffen Burrows.

Where would you like to see the sport of surfing take you?
I would like the ocean to be my office and I would like surfing to take me around the world. I surf around SA and have surfed in Namibia, Nicaragua, Bali and Australia. Being a competitor also pushes me and I would like to go to the highest level possible as a World Tour Contestant or even World Champion. I want to either be a pro surfer or a professional paid free surfer, to surf perfect waves. I want to become a World Champion first, surfing for South Africa.

With school back up and running now, how often do you get to surf?
Every day is a surfing day. I go to a Tutor Centre and am doing the Cambridge educational system in the afternoon, so I get to surf everyday in the morning. Sometimes I surf twice a day before and after school.

“I have surfed Skeleton Bay and that was my ultimate wave to surf because it is the longest left in the world I reckon and it is so perfect”

What are some of your favourite spots to surf?
My favourite spots are my local home break Kalk Bay, J-Bay, Elands Bay and Dunes because they are all tricky waves. I haven’t perfected them yet. I want to get bigger and better barrels.

What big contests during 2014 are you looking forward to competing in?
Competing in this year’s World Games, Hurley SA Champs and the Billabong Junior Series.

Who are your surfing role models, both locally and internationally?
Internationally Bobby Martinez and locally Mikey February and Llewellyn Whitaker.

What one wave would be your ultimate to surf?
I have surfed Skeleton Bay and that was my ultimate wave to surf because it is the longest left in the world I reckon and it is so perfect, you get about 7 barrels in one wave. It is amazing but right now my ultimate place to surf would probably be Fiji, Cloud Break or any crazy barrelling reef break.

When you’re not hitting up the surf, what do you get up to?
I go chill with my friends, hang out with them, have fun , cause chaos [laughs], do what normal boys do. Get my boards ready, equipment ready, order more boards, get my grips, get my stickers ready. I enjoy editing my short movies and right now I am learning to drive.

Give us a rundown of a day in the life of Jordy Maree?
I wake up normally around 9am because my school only starts at 1:30pm. Go for a surf, get barrelled and do airs. Its difficult surfing early because Cape Town’s water is so cold. Then I get ready to go to physio, or to do coaching with my coach. Then school time and afterwards maybe a surf at Kalk Bay, which is a couple metres from my door. I love jumping on my dad’s scooter to go and look at the waves. I get to spend a lot of time with my family. My mom and I have started mountain biking, running and swimming in the Silvermine Dam. A good play fight with my dad is also fun, just to see who is boss. Sharing and watching “series” with my sister, Brittany.

Who do you think is going to take the world title this year?
I think Kelly Slater or even Mick Fanning again.

Any shout-outs?
To my sponsors Hurley (Jevon and Ant) for being there for me the whole time, they have been great and have been very helpful getting me to the World Games. To my family for being so nice and taking me surfing every day, helping me surf, taking me to contests, spending lots of money on me [laughs]. My coach Chris for coaching me, taking me to physio, and making me surf new spots. Llewellyn Whitaker for developing my surfing, he’s been a great help for me. My physio Bruce, he has really helped me. Dave from DVG has been shaping my boards since I was 7. I have some amazing people around me.