If you head out to the Ballito Pro this month, you’re likely to hear Emma Smith commentating on the action. Down-to-earth, kind and easy to be around, the former professional surfer is making waves as one of only a few female commentators in the country, and is committed to using her platform for positive change.
“I love how surfing connects people,” says Emma. “In the water, everyone looks the same because you’re all just wearing wetsuits. You don’t know where anyone is from or what they’ve done, but it doesn’t matter.” Emma’s love for the ocean was sparked by her dad who taught her and her two sisters to surf when they were young girls growing up in East London in the Eastern Cape. In 2009, when Emma was 14 years old, her family moved to Jeffrey’s Bay. This move proved pivotal, as it was also the year Emma and her sisters were sponsored by Billabong, marking the start of their professional surfing careers.
A FAMILY AFFAIR
Surfing has always been more than a sport for the Smith family; it’s a way of life. “What we loved most about it as kids was that we could do it together,” Emma says. “It became a lifestyle for our family.” Emma’s talent quickly propelled her to the international stage. By the age of 16, she was representing South Africa, travelling the world, and competing at prestigious events such as the ISA World Surfing Championships.
BEYOND COMPETITIONS
In recent years, she has stepped back from competitive surfing, but her love for the sport remains. Now based in Umhlanga, she continues to work with brands like Billabong and RYD and has found a new passion in commentary and interviews, enjoying the opportunity to engage with the sport from a different perspective.
Emma’s professional journey has also taken her beyond the surfboard into the realm of philanthropy. Together with her husband, Jordan, she works for a non-profit organisation called Sport for Lives. Founded during the lockdown, this initiative uses sports to bridge community gaps and support various causes. “It uses sport to play for a purpose,” Emma explains. Using sport to activate generosity, the organisation partners with schools and other groups to raise funds and awareness for existing non-profits, making a tangible difference in communities across the country.
AN ADVENTUROUS SPIRIT
True to her adventurous spirit, Emma is also involved in a travel documentary project with Jordan. They are filming their overland journey to an undocumented wave in Kenya, capturing stories along the way. This project is more than just a surfing expedition; it’s an exploration of communities and cultures, offering a deeper connection to the places they visit.
A STRONG SUPPORT SYSTEM
Emma’s journey has been shaped by the support of her family and the close-knit surfing community. Despite facing personal challenges, including the recent loss of her dad, she remains grounded and focused on what matters most. “Losing my dad has put a lot of things in perspective,” she says. “There really is nothing more important than family.”
Details: www.sportforlives.org; IG: @emmaninasmith; @sportforlives
Text: Jennifer Campbell Images: Shren Media
Makeup: Michelle Haywood Outfit: Billabong Womens
