Intro:

South Africa's Jordy Smith claimed his fourth career win on the ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals) Tour on Thursday (18th September), out-scoring John John Florence of Hawaii in the final at the Hurley Pro Trestles event in San Clemente, California, USA.

Script:

Round eight on the Surfing World Tour reached it's climax in California on Thursday and after championship leader Gabriel Medina had been eliminated in the quarter-finals, another big name fell in the last four.

11-time world champion Kelly Slater was beaten 15.10 to 14.10 by John John Florence of Hawaii, with the 21 year-old going through to his first final of the season.

There he would meet Jordy Smith.

The lead changed several times, Smith opened with a 9.33, but Florence was always in contention and it was not until Smith found the winning wave in the final minute of competition that the outcome was settled.

The south African required a score of 6.54 or better to take the title and went well beyond that, registering 7.1 to seal victory, his first of the season and fourth of his career.

SOUNDBITE (English) Jordy Smith:

"I just knew I had to get, like, on a bigger wave, do some good turns and if I could link it all the way to the inside and finish well, I was going to be in a good position, depending upon what John (John John Florence) was going to do on his last wave. I just really kind of stuck to what I know, you know, I knew John - he had been getting 9s the whole event and I don't think I had one, right up until my first wave in the final, so I just wanted to peak at the right time and sure enough I did, you know. Gosh, I'm just over the moon and just... I can't believe it. I'm just... it's been a dream of mine to win the Open Trestles, so... moved into town with my wife... yeah, just a great way to start it."

The win means Smith moves up to 11th in the world rankings.

The world tour moves on to France next week.