John "John" Alexander Florence (born 18 October 1992) is an American professional surfer. He is known as "one of the most dominant Pipe surfers of his era" and for his tube riding and aerial abilities. In 2013, Florence was listed as the 23rd greatest surfer of all time by Surf Europe magazine.
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, as the oldest of three children, Florence grew up in Hale'iwa in an ocean-side house at Banzai Pipeline. He resides with his mother, Alexandra, and his two younger brothers Nathan and Ivan.[5] He was introduced to surfing by Alexandra, who is a surfer herself.[1][6] With his mother's help, Florence first rode on a surfboard when he was six-months old,[1] and he was surfing on his own by the age of five.
Career[edit]
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. As of August 24, 2016, Florence was positioned 1st in the world for 2016.[7]
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][8] 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".[9]
Florence won the prestigious SURFER POLL award in the 2014-2015 year.[10]
JJ has won the Volcom Pipe Pro an astonishing 4 times and has been declared the all-time ruler of this contest. http://www.volcompipepro.com/results/
In February 2016, Florence won "The Eddie" Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational, at Waimea Bay, the first time the event ran in seven years.[11]
When Florence was still a young teenager, 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] Florence's signature move is getting deeply barreled at Pipeline.
In 2011, Florence suffered a broken back while riding a wave at Pipeline.[12] He has also had a broken wrist, broken leg, broken arm and ankle ligament tear.[13]
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."[14]
Florence won the Vans World Cup of Surfing in 2011 and 2013. He is the youngest contestant to have won this prestigious honor.
In October 2014, Florence won the Quiksilver Pro France.[15] In February 2015, Florence won the 2015 Volcom Pipe Pro, which was his fourth win at this event in five years.[16][17]
In 2013, Florence changed sponsors, joining Hurley International, after surfing for O'Neill since he was six years old.[18] He also enjoys skateboarding, snowboarding and drawing.[1]
On February 25, 2016 Florence won the Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational in memory of Eddie Aikau, one of only 9 surfers ever to win.
On May 2016, Florence won the Oi Rio Pro in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).
On October 24, 2016 John John Florence won the 2016 World Title!