John John Florence: A Rising Star
John John Florence, one of the most dominant Pipe surfers of his era, has proven to be a rising star as he recently won the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach for his third world title.
Florence was born to be a surfer. Growing up with the beach as his backyard at Banzai Pipeline in Hale’iwa, Hawaii and having a mom who is also a surfer, it was inevitable Florence would dedicate his life to riding the waves.
By the time Florence was surfing on his own, he was just five years old. At the age of 13, Florence became the youngest surfer ever to compete in the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. Following his debut, Florence would go on to collect numerous accolades including becoming the youngest contestant to win the Vans World Cup of Surfing in 2011 and 2013.
Florence began his historic year in 2016 where he won the “The Eddie” Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational, which was the first time the event ran in seven years. To follow, Florence collected another win at the Oi Rio Pro in Brazil to kick-off a life-changing season. On October 25, 2016, Florence clinched his first world title at the Meo Rip Curl Pro in Portugal and became the fourth Hawaiian men’s World Champion.
After an impressive year, Florence upped his game during the 2017 season as he won his second straight world title at the Billabong Pipe Masters in front of his home crowd. Florence is one of only five surfers to win his first two world titles back-to-back and is also the first surfer to win two consecutive world titles since Kelly Slater in 2011.
Following a 2018 injury, Florence came back to the Championship Tour in 2019 more ready than ever to claim his third world title, which is exactly what he did. After competing in some of the biggest and most challenging ocean conditions since 1981 in Victoria, Australia, Florence went on to raise the legendary trophy at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach for the first time in his career. The win was done in nail-biting fashion as Florence defeated Brazilian Filipe Toledo 14.30 to 13.98.
Last year was filled with so many learning experiences and gave me a whole new perspective on competing. I’m really enjoying being here in the position I am in. I’d like to thank my family and all my friends who have been there along the way. I couldn’t have done it without you guys.”
The outstanding victory is just the beginning of another successful year back in the ocean for Florence. In years to come, Florence will continue to make Hawai’i proud as he demonstrates his remarkable talent as a competitive surfer around the world.
