John John Florence

John "John John" Alexander Florence (born October 18, 1992)[1][2] is an American professional surfer. He is known as "one of the most dominant pipe surfers of his era"[3] and won back-to-back world titles on the 2016 World Surf League and 2017 World Surf League Men's Championship Tour.[4] He is the first Hawaii-born surfer to win back-to-back world titles since the late Andy Irons and one of five to ever achieve the feat.[4]

John "John John" Alexander Florence
Florence at the 2013 Triple Crown of Surfing
Personal information
Born (1992-10-18) October 18, 1992
Honolulu, Hawai'i
ResidenceHale'iwa, Hawai'i
Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st)
Websitewww.johnjohnflorence.com

Early life

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, as the oldest of his brothers, Ivan and Nathan Florence, Florence grew up in Hale'iwa in an ocean-side house at Banzai Pipeline. He was introduced to surfing by his mother, Alexandra, who is a surfer herself.[1][5] With his mother's help, Florence first rode on a surfboard when he was six months old, and he was surfing on his own by the age of five[1] . His brother Nathan now competes on the Big Wave World Tour after qualifying in 2018.[6] Florence is engaged to longtime girlfriend Lauryn Crib.[7]

He was named after John F. Kennedy, Jr., who was dubbed "John John" by the media while his father was president.[8]

Career

At the age of 13, standing at 4'11" and weighing 85 pounds, Florence became the youngest surfer ever to compete in the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, which consists of three big-wave surfing contests in Hawaii.[2][9] He had previously won five amateur awards, the 2003 1st NSSA Nationals Open Mini Grom, the 2005 1st NSSA Nationals Open Boy's, the 2005 NSSA Open Boys and the Explorer Menehune Champion.[1] He did not pass the first round, but he did score higher than Shane Dorian, a professional surfer twenty years Florence's senior.[2] Afterwards, Florence said he was "pretty scared," but that he was "happy with how [he] did".[10] When Florence was still a youngster, pro surfer Kelly Slater said, "John John's going to know the waves on North Shore like no one we've ever seen before."[1]

Since joining the World Surf League (WSL) and competing against the best surfers in the world, Florence has ranked 34th in 2011, 4th in 2012, 10th in 2013, 3rd in 2014, and 14th in 2015. Florence was the 2016 WSL Champion.[11]

Florence won the prestigious SURFER POLL award in the 2014-2015 year.[12] He has won the Volcom Pipe Pro an astonishing 4 times and has been declared the all-time ruler of this contest.[13]

In 2011, Florence suffered a broken back while riding a wave at Pipeline.[14] He has also had a broken wrist, broken leg, broken arm and ankle ligament tear.[15]

According to surfer Mitch Crews, who witnessed Florence's performance at the 2014 Billabong Pro Teahupoo, "He makes it look stupidly easily no matter how big or small the wave is. He is the man out there, rules the line up and makes everyone look silly. He is the man, and most of us are not."[16]

Florence won the Vans World Cup of Surfing in 2011 and 2013. He is the youngest contestant to have won this honor.[17]

In October 2014, he won the Quiksilver Pro France.[18] In February 2015, Florence won the 2015 Volcom Pipe Pro, which was his fourth win at this event in five years.[19][20]

In 2013, Florence changed sponsors, joining Hurley International, after surfing for O'Neill since he was six years old.[21] He also enjoys skateboarding, snowboarding and drawing.[1] On January 27, 2020, John John announced he would be leaving Hurley after Hurley's owner, Bluestar Alliance, walked back John John's contract and offered him a $2,000,000 buyout deal.[22]

He is now sponsored by: Stance, Futures, Nixon, Dakine, Clif Bar, Electric, Yeti and Pyzel surfboards.

On February 25, 2016, Florence won "The Eddie" Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational in memory of Eddie Aikau, at Waimea Bay, the first time the event ran in seven years.[23] He is one of the only nine surfers who have won the event.[24] On October 25, 2016, Florence won the Meo Rip Curl Pro, in Portugal securing the WSL World Championship title. Florence was the first Hawaiian surfer in over a decade to win the title since Andy Irons last won it in 2004.[25]

After a dominating 2016 season, Florence continued to show a strong performance in the 2017 WSL season, alongside his new coach Ross Williams.[26] John John's strong performances all year long made him a clear favorite to take home top honors again. In December 2017, Florence clinched his second straight world title at Pipeline, coming in second in the event to Jeremy Flores.[27]

In December 2019, Florence qualified for the 2020 Olympics despite missing much of the 2019 World Surf League Men's Champion Tour due to an ACL injury. [28] Florence finished the 2019 WSL Tour ranking 7th after competing in 6 of the 11 events.[4]

Surfing films

Done

With videography by director Blake Vincent Kueny and premiering at the House of Vans, in Brooklyn, on February 23, 2013, Done, Florence's first surfing film, received Surfer Poll 2013 Movie of the Year Award.[29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36] JJF received Surfer Poll 2013 Best Performance Award for his role in Done.[31][32][33][34][35]

Departure Delayed, Free to Roam, Begin Again, Again, And Again

Released in 2013, Departure Delayed, Free to Roam, Begin Again, Again, And Again are five shorts from Florence.[37][38][39][40][41][42] Begin Again received Surfer Poll 2013 Short of the Year Award.[30][31][32][33][34][35]

View from a Blue Moon

Released on December 1, 2015, with videography by Blake Vincent Kueny, narration by John C. Reilly, and the track Seasick Dream by Jack Johnson, View from a Blue Moon is a bio pic featuring JJ and friends at surfing spots around the world.[43][44] On November 11, 2015, in association with Brain Farm, John's View from a Blue Moon, the first surf film shot in 4k, premiered with seven screenings worldwide:[45][46]

The film was shot using aerial photography provided entirely by helicopters.[46]

Let's Be Frank

In 2016, Florence narrated the film Let's Be Frank, a rockumentary film based on big wave surfer, Frank Solomon.[47][48]

Twelve

On July 8, 2016, Florence released the first episode of his series Twelve.[49] The series consists of 7 episodes, which are released approximately every month and includes Florence's quest for the first world title in his career.[50]

Surfing results

Victories
WCT Wins
YearEventVenueCountry
2019Margaret River ProMargaret River, Western Australia  Australia
2019Rip Curl ProBells Beach, Torquay  Australia
2017Drug Aware Margaret River ProMargaret River, Western Australia  Australia
2016MEO Rip Curl Pro PortugalSupertubos, Peniche Portugal
2016Oi Rio ProRio de Janeiro Brazil
2014Quiksilver Pro FranceSeignosse, Hossegor  France
2012Billabong Rio ProRio de Janeiro Brazil
WQS Wins
Year Event Venue Country
2016Hawaiian ProHaleiwa, Oahu  Hawaii
2015Volcom Pipe ProBanzai Pipeline, Oahu  Hawaii
2013Volcom Pipe ProBanzai Pipeline, Oahu  Hawaii
2012Telstra Drug Aware ProMargaret River, Western Australia  Australia
2012Volcom Pipe ProBanzai Pipeline, Oahu  Hawaii
2011Van's World CupSunset Beach, Oahu  Hawaii
2011Volcom Pipe ProBanzai Pipeline, Oahu  Hawaii

WSL World Championship Tour
Tournament2011201220132014201520162017 2018
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast - 13th 13th 25th 13th 5th 3rd 25th
Rip Curl Pro - 9th INJ 3rd 13th 13th 3rd 13th
Margaret River Pro - - - 13th 2nd 13th 1st 13th
Rio Pro - 1st INJ 13th 9th 1st 13th 9th
Corona Bali Protected - - - - - - - 13th
Fiji Pro - 5th 3rd 5th INJ 5th 13th -
J-Bay Open - - - 13th INJ 2nd 5th INJ
Billabong Pro Teahupoo - 3rd 5th 3rd 13th 2nd 5th INJ
Hurley Pro at Trestles 13th 5th 25th 2nd 25th 13th 3rd -
Quiksilver Pro France 25th 3rd 5th 1st 5th 3rd 3rd INJ
MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal 9th 5th 9th 3rd 13th 1st 5th INJ
Billabong Pipeline Masters 5th 13th 2nd 5th 9th 5th 2nd INJ
Oakley Pro Bali - - 9th - - - - -
O'Neill Coldwater Classic - 25th - - - - - -
Rip Curl Search 25th - - - - - - -
Quiksilver Pro New York - - - - - - - -
Rank 34th 4th 10th 3rd 14th 1st 1st 35th
Earnings $47.250 $211.250 $117.500 $266.500 $131.500 $406.000 $181.250 $59.200

References
  1. Schreiber, Dave (December 2, 2005). "Sports: Up Close: John John Florence". Sports Up Close. St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved September 20, 2007.
  2. "Stellar Profile: John John Florence". Archived from the original on December 12, 2007. Retrieved September 20, 2007.
  3. Mull, Jeff (February 2, 2015). "Four For Florence". Surfermag.com. Surfer Magazine. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  4. "Pro Surfer: John John Florence - 2018 Men's Championship Tour event results". World Surf League. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  5. "John John Florence - Outside Online". Retrieved November 19, 2007.
  6. "Athletes". World Surf League. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  7. "John's Spontaneous Engagement, Why The Olympics Should Be Held In A Wave Pool, And How Hawaii Became The Home Of The Surf Vlog". Stab Magazine. November 26, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  8. "Things you probably didn't know about John John Florence". Surfer Today. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  9. Doherty, Sean (December 10, 2011). "THE SURFER PROFILE: JOHN JOHN FLORENCE". Surfermag.com. Surfer Magazine. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  10. "Thirteen-Year-Old John John Florence Tackles Huge Haleiwa At Op Pro Haleiwa. - SURF Magazine". Transworld Surf. November 17, 2005. Archived from the original on November 9, 2007. Retrieved November 19, 2007.
  11. "John John Florence". Worldsurfleague.com. World Surf League. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
  12. http://www.surfermag.com/surfer-poll/past-winners/#BOeymzTUPjFR6ijw.97
  13. "Results - - Volcom Pipe Pro 2016 Surf Competition". Archived from the original on February 22, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  14. http://stabmag.com/john-john-breaks-his-back/
  15. "The 100 Greatest Surfers of All Time". surfeuropemag.com. Surf Europe Magazine. September 11, 2013. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  16. Crews, Mitch. "10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT TEAHUPO'O WITH MITCH CREWS". Monster Children News. Monster Children. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  17. "Past Vans Triple Crown of Surfing Champions - 2019 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing". Vans Triple Crown of Surfing 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  18. Mull, Jeff (October 5, 2014). "John John Wins Quik Pro". surfermag.com. Surfer Magazine. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  19. Mull, Jeff (February 2, 2015). "Four for Florence". Surfer Magazine. Surfer Magazine. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  20. "John John Florence wins the 2015 Volcom Pipe Pro". Surfertoday.com. Surfertoday.com. February 3, 2015. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  21. Weisberg, Zach (January 5, 2013). "John John Florence Joins Hurley". The Inertia. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  22. "John Florence No Longer Rides For Hurley". Stab Magazine. January 28, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  23. "John John Florence". Worldsurfleague.com. World Surf League. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  24. Hernandez, Juan. "Meet the 9 Men Who Have Won the Eddie". The Inertia. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  25. Wire, S. I. "John John Florence wins '16 World Surf League". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  26. "In The Hot Seat: Ross Williams". SURFER Magazine. May 7, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  27. "Despite winning back-to-back titles, John John Florence won't call himself the best surfer in the world". For The Win. December 21, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  28. McDougall, Chrös. "SURFER JOHN JOHN FLORENCE, SUPPOSEDLY OUT FOR THE SEASON, COMES BACK AND CLAIMS OLYMPIC BERTH". teamusa.org.
  29. "John John Florence and Vans Premiere "Done" at the House of Vans". SurferMag. February 19, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  30. "John John Florence". Wedge & Lever. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  31. "The Surfer Poll Results: Slater wins his 19th, John Florence dominates the rest". SurferMag. December 7, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  32. "The Surfer Poll Results: Slater wins his 19th, John Florence dominates the rest". SurferMag. December 7, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  33. "2013 Surfer Poll Highlights". SurferMag. December 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  34. "The 2013 Surfer Poll: A roundup of the best shots from the biggest night in surf". SurferMag. December 12, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  35. "The 2013 Surfer Poll: A roundup of the best shots from the biggest night in surf with John John finished at No. 2 on the SURFER Poll, but also nabbed a clean three other trophies for Best Short, Movie of the Year, and Best Performance". SurferMag. December 12, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  36. "The 2013 Surfer Poll: A roundup of the best shots from the biggest night in surf with The most familiar faces of the night, John John Florence and his filmer Blake Kueny". SurferMag. December 12, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  37. "John John Florence and Friends: Departure Delayed". The Inertia. January 4, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  38. "Departure Delayed". Surfer. January 3, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  39. "Free to Roam". Surfer. April 3, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  40. "Begin Again". Surfer. May 7, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  41. "Again". Surfer. September 19, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  42. "& Again". Surfer. October 7, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  43. Doyle, Patrick (November 3, 2015). "Hear Jack Johnson's Love Letter to Surfing: "Seasick Dream" will appear in new John John Florence film, 'View From a Blue Moon'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  44. Haro, Alexander (November 4, 2015). "Listen: Jack Johnson's New Song for John John Florence's View From a Blue Moon". The Inertia. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  45. "View from a Blue Moon". viewfromabluemoon.com. November 11, 2015. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  46. Ito, Daniel Ikaika (November 7, 2015). "North Shore pro surfer, John John Florence, premieres bio movie, "View From a Blue Moon"". Hawaii Magazine. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  47. Hopewell, John; Hopewell, John (September 20, 2016). "'Let's Be Frank's' Peter Hamblin on Reinventing Surf Films". Variety. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  48. Let's Be Frank, retrieved August 7, 2020
  49. "John John Florence Opens Up In New Series 'Twelve'". SURFER Magazine. July 8, 2016. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  50. "John John Florence Opens Up In New Series 'Twelve'". SURFER Magazine. July 8, 2016. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
Achievements
Preceded by
Adriano De Souza		 World Surf League Surfing World Champion (men's)
2016, 2017		 Succeeded by
Gabriel Medina
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