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John John Florence

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John "John John" Alexander Florence
Florence at the 2013 Triple Crown of Surfing
Personal information
Born (1992-10-18) October 18, 1992 (age 32)
Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
ResidenceHaleʻiwa, Hawaii, U.S.
Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight185 lb (84 kg)
Surfing career
Best year1st: 2016, 2017, 2024 - WSL World Champion
SponsorsMachu Picchu Energy, Stance, Nixon, VEIA Supplies, Clif Bar, Therabody, Yeti and Pyzel surfboards
Major achievements
Surfing specifications
StanceRegular (natural foot)
Websitewww.johnjohnflorence.com

John "John John" Alexander Florence (born October 18, 1992)[1][2] is an American professional surfer. He is considered 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.[4] Florence qualified to represent the United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics in surfing's debut, as well as qualified for the Paris Olympic Games.

Early life

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Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, the oldest of three brothers. 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] He also enjoys skateboarding, snowboarding and drawing.[1]

He was named after John F. Kennedy, Jr., who was dubbed "John John" by the media while his father was president.[6]

Career

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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][7] 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".[8] 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]

In 2011, Florence suffered a broken back while riding a wave at Banzai Pipeline.[9] He has also had a broken wrist, broken leg, broken arm and ankle ligament tear.[10]

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 and 2017 WSL Champion.[11] He ranked 35th in 2018, 5th in 2019, 11th in 2021, and 12th in 2022.

Florence won the Vans World Cup of Surfing in 2011 and 2013. He is the youngest contestant to have won this honor.[12]

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."[13] Florence won the prestigious SURFER POLL award in the 2014-2015 year.[14] He has won the Volcom Pipe Pro an astonishing 4 times and has been declared the all-time ruler of this contest.[15] In October 2014, he won the Quiksilver Pro France.[16] In February 2015, Florence won the 2015 Volcom Pipe Pro, which was his fourth win at this event in five years.[17][18]

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.[19] He is one of the only nine surfers who have won the event.[20] 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.[21]

After a dominating 2016 season, Florence continued to show a strong performance in the 2017 WSL season, alongside his new coach Ross Williams.[22] 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.[23]

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.[24] Florence finished the 2019 WSL Tour ranking seventh after competing in 6 of the 11 events.[4] At the Olympics, he was eliminated in the third round by teammate Kolohe Andino.[25]

Florence won the Billabong Pipeline Masters in December 2020, beating Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina in the finals, but missed most of the 2021 season after incurring an injury at the Boost Mobile Margaret River Pro, finishing 11th at the end of the year. In December 2021, Florence won the Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold Haleiwa Challenger, scoring an excellent heat in the final.

He retained the Triple Crown of Surfing for 2021, in an event held in January 2022, alongside fellow Hawaiian Carissa Moore. In December 2023, Florence won the Vans Pipe Masters, alongside fellow Hawaiian Moana Jones Wong.[26]

In 2024, Florence was the first seed at the conclusion of the WSL season, clinching his third world title at Lower Trestles against Italo Ferreira.

Sponsorships

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In 2013, Florence changed sponsors, joining Hurley International, after surfing for O'Neill since he was six years old.[27] 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.[28] Most recently, Florence partnered with Machu Picchu Energy, a new energy brand that uses natural caffeine and organic ingredients. In his Instagram post, he also mentioned his excitement about the brand's dedication to giving back to the communities by helping kids get outdoors and giving them opportunities to thrive. He is now sponsored by: Machu Picchu Energy, Stance, Futures, Nixon, Dakine, Clif Bar, Electric, Yeti and Pyzel surfboards. In addition to his sponsorships, Florence launched his own apparel and surf brand entitled "Florence Marine X" in 2020 as a joint venture with former Hurley owner Bob Hurley.[29][30]

Surfing films

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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.[31][32][33][34][35] JJF received Surfer Poll 2013 Best Performance Award for his role in Done.[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.[36][37][38][39][40][41] Begin Again received Surfer Poll 2013 Short of the Year Award.[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 biography featuring Florence and his friends surfing around the world.[42][43] On November 11, 2015,View from a Blue Moon, the first surf film shot in 4k, premiered with seven screenings worldwide.[44]

The film was shot using aerial photography provided entirely by helicopters.[44]

Let's Be Frank

In 2016, Florence narrated the film Let's Be Frank, a rockumentary film based on big wave surfer, Frank Solomon.[45][46]

Twelve On July 8, 2016, Florence released the first episode of his series Twelve.[47] The series consists of 7 episodes, which were released approximately every month, about Florence's quest for the first world title of his career.[47]

Surfing results

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Victories

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WSL Finals Wins
Year Event Venue Country
2024 Rip Curl WSL Finals Lower Trestles, California  United States
WCT Wins
Year Event Venue Country
2024 Surf City El Salvador Pro Punta Roca, La Libertad  El Salvador
2021 Billabong Pipeline Masters Banzai Pipeline, Oahu  Hawaii
2019 Margaret River Pro Margaret River, Western Australia  Australia
2019 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, Victoria  Australia
2017 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro Margaret River, Western Australia  Australia
2016 MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Supertubos, Peniche  Portugal
2016 Oi Rio Pro Rio de Janeiro, RJ  Brazil
2014 Quiksilver Pro France Hossegor, Nouvelle-Aquitaine  France
2012 Billabong Rio Pro Rio de Janeiro, RJ  Brazil
WSL Challenger Series Wins
Year Event Venue Country
2022 Haleiwa Challenger, at Home in The Hawaiian Islands Haleiwa, Oahu  Hawaii
2021 Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold Haleiwa Challenger Haleiwa, Oahu  Hawaii
WQS Wins
Year Event Venue Country
2016 Hawaiian Pro Haleiwa, Oahu  Hawaii
2015 Volcom Pipe Pro Banzai Pipeline, Oahu  Hawaii
2013 Volcom Pipe Pro Banzai Pipeline, Oahu  Hawaii
2012 Telstra Drug Aware Pro Margaret River, Western Australia  Australia
2012 Volcom Pipe Pro Banzai Pipeline, Oahu  Hawaii
2011 Van's World Cup Sunset Beach, Oahu  Hawaii
2011 Volcom Pipe Pro Banzai Pipeline, Oahu  Hawaii

WSL World Championship Tour

[edit]
Tournament 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2021 2022
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast - 13th 13th 25th 13th 5th 3rd 25th 3rd - 9th
Rip Curl Pro - 9th INJ 3rd 13th 13th 3rd 13th 1st - 5th
Margaret River Pro - - - 13th 2nd 13th 1st 13th 1st INJ 2nd
Rio Pro - 1st INJ 13th 9th 1st 13th 9th 5th - INJ
Corona Bali Protected - - - - - - - 13th 17th - -
Fiji Pro - 5th 3rd 5th INJ 5th 13th - - - -
J-Bay Open - - - 13th INJ 2nd 5th INJ INJ - INJ
Billabong Pro Teahupoo - 3rd 5th 3rd 13th 2nd 5th INJ INJ - INJ
Hurley Pro at Trestles 13th 5th 25th 2nd 25th 13th 3rd - - - -
Quiksilver Pro France 25th 3rd 5th 1st 5th 3rd 3rd INJ INJ - -
MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal 9th 5th 9th 3rd 13th 1st 5th INJ INJ - 3rd
Billabong Pipeline Masters 5th 13th 2nd 5th 9th 5th 2nd INJ 5th 1st 5th
Oakley Pro Bali - - 9th - - - - - - - -
O'Neill Coldwater Classic - 25th - - - - - - - - -
Rip Curl Search 25th - - - - - - - - - -
Rip Curl Newcastle Cup - - - - - - - - - 17th -
Rip Curl Narrabeen Classic - - - - - - - - - 9th -
Rip Curl Rottnest Search presented by Corona - - - - - - - - - INJ -
Surf Ranch Open - - - - - - - INJ - INJ -
Hurley Pro Sunset Beach - - - - - - - - - - 17th
Quiksilver Pro G-Land - - - - - - - - - - 9th
Surf City El Salvador Pro - - - - - - - - - - INJ
Rank 34th 4th 10th 3rd 14th 1st 1st 35th 5th 11th 12th
Earnings $47.250 $211.250 $117.500 $266.500 $131.500 $406.000 $181.250 $59.200 $268.500 $106.000

Personal life

[edit]

Florence is married to Lauryn Cribb.[48]

His brother, Nathan, competes on the Big Wave World Tour after qualifying in 2018.[49]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Schreiber, Dave (December 2, 2005). "Sports: Up Close: John John Florence". Sports Up Close. St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved September 20, 2007.
  2. ^ a b c "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. ^ a b c "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". March 2006. Retrieved November 19, 2007.
  6. ^ "Things you probably didn't know about John John Florence". Surfer Today. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  7. ^ Doherty, Sean (December 10, 2011). "THE SURFER PROFILE: JOHN JOHN FLORENCE". Surfermag.com. Surfer Magazine. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ "John John Breaks His Back". Stab Magazine. February 6, 2011.
  10. ^ "The 100 Greatest Surfers of All Time". surfeuropemag.com. Surf Europe Magazine. September 11, 2013. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  11. ^ "John John Florence". Worldsurfleague.com. World Surf League. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
  12. ^ "Past Vans Triple Crown of Surfing Champions - 2019 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing". Vans Triple Crown of Surfing 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  13. ^ Crews, Mitch. "10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT TEAHUPO'O WITH MITCH CREWS". Monster Children News. Monster Children. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  14. ^ "SURFER Magazine - Surf News, Fantasy Surfer, Photos, Video and Forecasting". SURFER Magazine.
  15. ^ "Results - - Volcom Pipe Pro 2016 Surf Competition". Archived from the original on February 22, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  16. ^ Mull, Jeff (October 5, 2014). "John John Wins Quik Pro". surfermag.com. Surfer Magazine. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  17. ^ Mull, Jeff (February 2, 2015). "Four for Florence". Surfer Magazine. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  18. ^ "John John Florence wins the 2015 Volcom Pipe Pro". Surfertoday.com. February 3, 2015. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  19. ^ "John John Florence". Worldsurfleague.com. World Surf League. February 25, 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  20. ^ Hernandez, Juan (February 10, 2016). "Meet the 9 Men Who Have Won the Eddie". The Inertia. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  21. ^ "John John Florence wins '16 World Surf League". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  22. ^ "In The Hot Seat: Ross Williams". SURFER Magazine. May 7, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  23. ^ "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.
  24. ^ McDougall, Chrös. "SURFER JOHN JOHN FLORENCE, SUPPOSEDLY OUT FOR THE SEASON, COMES BACK AND CLAIMS OLYMPIC BERTH". teamusa.org. Archived from the original on December 20, 2019.
  25. ^ "Surfing - ANDINO Kolohe vs FLORENCE John John - Round 3 - Heat 2 Results". Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Archived from the original on July 27, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  26. ^ read, Events·2 min. "John John Florence and Moana Jones Wong Win the 2023 Vans Pipe Masters". Freesurf Magazine. Retrieved December 19, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  27. ^ Weisberg, Zach (January 5, 2013). "John John Florence Joins Hurley". The Inertia. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  28. ^ "John Florence No Longer Rides For Hurley". Stab Magazine. January 28, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  29. ^ "Exclusive: John Florence Unveils His New Brand, Florence Marine X". Stab Mag. August 13, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  30. ^ Haro, Alexander (August 12, 2020). "John John Florence Announces that He's Starting His Own Brand: Florence Marine X". The Inertia. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  31. ^ "John John Florence and Vans Premiere "Done" at the House of Vans". SurferMag. February 19, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  32. ^ a b "John John Florence". Wedge & Lever. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  33. ^ a b c "The Surfer Poll Results: Slater wins his 19th, John Florence dominates the rest". SurferMag. December 7, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  34. ^ a b c "2013 Surfer Poll Highlights". SurferMag. December 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  35. ^ a b c "The 2013 Surfer Poll: A roundup of the best shots from the biggest night in surf". SurferMag. December 12, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  36. ^ "John John Florence and Friends: Departure Delayed". The Inertia. January 4, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  37. ^ "Departure Delayed". Surfer. January 3, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  38. ^ "Free to Roam". Surfer. April 3, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  39. ^ "Begin Again". Surfer. May 7, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  40. ^ "Again". Surfer. September 19, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  41. ^ "& Again". Surfer. October 7, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  42. ^ 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.
  43. ^ 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.
  44. ^ a b 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.
  45. ^ Hopewell, John (September 20, 2016). "'Let's Be Frank's' Peter Hamblin on Reinventing Surf Films". Variety. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  46. ^ Let's Be Frank, retrieved August 7, 2020
  47. ^ a b "John John Florence Opens Up In New Series 'Twelve'". SURFER Magazine. July 8, 2016. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  48. ^ Lai, Gladys (January 10, 2023). "John John Florence and Lauryn Ashley's riverside wedding brought a slice of Australia to the Hawaiian tropics". Vogue.com.au. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  49. ^ "Athletes". World Surf League. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
[edit]
Achievements
Preceded by World Surf League Surfing World Champion (men's)
2016, 2017 		Succeeded by
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