The Emma Smith Interview
Cover image: Alan Van Gysen
Emma Smith absolutely shreds. But perhaps even more impressive is how she behaves in the water. She could have her pick of waves in the J-Bay line-ups, but you’ll mostly find her at the bottom of the line-up helping other girls onto waves and cheering them on.
Emma did the CSALT programme in J-Bay in 2013 and has since carved out a career as a professional surfer/model/influencer. She boasts a wisdom and closeness with the Father that is far beyond her years.
How do you actively practise being “Christian” in the water?
It used to bother me that the same people that preached about God’s love and kindness on land, showed completely different behaviour in the water. God really challenged me to see the people I pass as souls and hearts, not just on land but in the water too. I chose to take a step back, humble myself and show others love in the water. I try to really see everyone in the water, as humans with hearts, souls and their own stories.
What’s your favourite surf spot in the world?
Philippines and J-Bay
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt in life?
The greatest lesson I’ve learnt is that I can’t do life without the Lord. I’ve learnt that regardless of any mistakes I make, I can always come back to God. I’ve learnt that the Lord is always in control and works all things out to His good. This quote from CS Lewis always stays with me:
Emma Smith and Justin Van Niekerk share a moment. Image: Kody McGregor
“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.”
― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Where would your ideal next surf trip be?
I dream of traveling more in Africa! Maybe West Africa next…
What’s your favourite verse?
Corinthians 13:1-10
It starts like this: “If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing. “
Emma and her sister. Image: Chappy
How did the CSALT programme impact your life?
The CSALT programme was an amazing season for me. I had just finished school and had lived most of my faith in church. CSALT really pushed me to dig into the word and be equipped in the word. My understanding of the Lord and myself grew.
I had spent a lot of my childhood competing at contests and it was truly incredible going back to serve at the same contests, praying in the dark before setting up and helping behind the scenes. While surfing was once my whole life, I found so much peace in finding something bigger than contest results to define me.
What’s your greatest strength?
Loving people! People in general! Having faith, if that could be considered a strength.
Who’s been the most influential surfer to you?
Bethany Hamilton.
Point break, Reef Break or Beach Break?
Point break, hands down.
What does being a Christian Surfer mean to you?
Being a Christian Surfer means taking the same urgency we have for sharing God’s love and word on land into the ocean when we surf.
Yep, Emma shreds. Image: Craig Kolesky
Wanna connect with more girls who surf and love Jesus? Then be sure to give our Christian Surfer Girls Instagram accounts a follow! @christiansurfergirls or @christiansurfergirls_sa