Press Release:
FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif., Sept. 23, 2010 – Oakley is proud to welcome Jordy Smith as the newest member of the global surf eyewear team. The partnership unites one of the most progressive athletes in the water with the most progressive eyewear on the market.
“I am excited to join the Oakley team,” says Jordy. “I’ve always been a big fan of the brand and I am happy for the opportunity to be a part of this creative and fun team.”
Currently number two on the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Tour behind nine-time world champion, Kelly Slater; Jordy brings strength to an already powerful Oakley global surf team. He joins ranks with the likes of 2004 Pipeline Masters Champion, Bruce Irons and star of Scratching the Surface, Julian Wilson, among other international powerhouses. “We are very excited that Jordy Smith has signed a deal with Oakley,” says Ronny Nelson, Oakley Surf Marketing Manager. “We feel that adding him to our already influential team will solidify Oakley as a global leader in eyewear.”
Oakley combines style and innovation to create eyewear that is both fashionable and functional, allowing world-class athletes like Jordy to look as sharp on the sand as they do in the water. “Jordy is one of the most innovative surfers in the world,” continues Nelson. “Oakley prides itself on matching the innovation of our athletes with the most innovative eyewear technology available.”
Jordy’s swift rise to the top was not incidental. At three years old Jordy’s father, a surfer and shaper himself, was already pushing his son into waves along the South African coast. Jordy’s natural talent quickly became apparent, but his talents were not limited to surfing. As a junior Jordy played on the South African National soccer team and was invited to play abroad in England at the age of 11. Even at that age however, he knew surfing was his true calling. He declined the offer. Needless to say, his intuition and dedication have paid off. At the ripe age of 22, Jordy has accomplished things many surfers only dream about and Oakley is pleased to support him as his continues along this exciting journey. “With the new criteria changes on the ASP World Tour you can bet to find Jordy on the podium for years to come,” concludes Nelson.
Look for Jordy and the rest of the Oakley team to shine at the seventh stop of 2010 ASP World Tour in France later this week.
For more from Jordy including a dedicated profile, results, updates and more log onto Oakley.com/sports.
About Oakley, Inc.
Established in 1975 and headquartered in Southern California, Oakley is one of the leading sports brands in the world. The holder of over 600 patents, Oakley is continually seeking problems, solving them with inventions and wrapping those inventions in art. This philosophy has made Oakley one of the most iconic and inimitable brands on the market, with innovations that are depended upon by world-class athletes around the globe in order to compete at the highest level possible. Oakley is famed for its insuperable lens technologies such as High Definition Optics® (HDO®) which is incorporated into all Oakley sun and prescription eyewear, and goggles. Oakley has extended its leadership position as the world’s leading sports eyewear brand into their apparel, footwear and accessories collections. Laser focused on the consumer, Oakley has both Men’s and Women’s product lines which target the Sports Performance, Active and Lifestyle consumers. Oakley is a subsidiary of Luxottica Group (NYSE: LUX; MTA: LUX). Additional information is available at Oakley.com.
