Jordy Smith Signs With O'Neill

**BREAKING NEWS**

O’Neill proudly announces the addition of South African surfer Jordy Smith to their team. At 19 years old, Smith is the reigning Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Junior World Champion and currently leads the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) ratings with an all-time points record exceeding 14,000. O’Neill’s signing of Smith pairs him with the original surf brand and solidifies his position as one of surfing’s top competitors.

After taking the surfing world by storm in recent years, Smith has thrilled critics by competing successfully against the global surfing elite and racking up some of the most prestigious WQS titles along the way. Following his total domination on the tour this year – including victories on four different continents – the Durban native has already guaranteed himself a spot on the ASP World Tour 2008.

Andreas Adenauer, CEO of the O’Neill Group, is delighted to see Smith joining the team and stated: “We’ve been following Jordy’s progress for a long time, and we’re excited to welcome him onboard. Jordy's drive, commitment and determination for the sport have helped him to become one of surfing's most explosive talents. We look forward to supporting Jordy wholeheartedly and can’t wait to see what he’ll achieve on the ASP World Tour and beyond.”

O’Neill’s newest team member Smith said: "I'm honored and stoked to join the O'Neill team and I'm excited about all the new opportunities that lie ahead. O'Neill is a company that has a tremendous history, heritage and shares my passion for the sport of surfing. With my family and O'Neill's support, I am able to live my dream of surfing and I'm looking forward to representing the best brand in the surf industry, as I enter into my rookie year on the WCT in 2008."

As the leader of a new generation of young surfers, Smith is already one of the most well rounded surfers on the planet. His complete repertoire of aerials, power carves, and buttery smooth style makes him the most highly anticipated surfer to join the ASP World Tour in over fifteen years. Already World Tour proven following a handful of wild card invitations, Smith finished third at Jeffrey’s Bay in 2006 and took down top seeds at the Boost Mobile Pro only last month.

O’Neill Clothing USA CEO Toby Bost said: “Adding Jordy to the team is a great accomplishment for O’Neill worldwide. He’s an incredibly talented surfer that will achieve monumental status on the World Tour in due time. Jordy and O’Neill have clearly found common ground in terms of passion for the sport of surfing and the vision to push it to the next level. O’Neill is honored to take part in staging the future of a young, gifted surfer who is destined for superstar stature."

www.O'Neill.com

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