A celebrated surfing prodigy for more than a decade, 20-year old Hawaiian North Shore local John Florence with an avg heat score of 13.03 is hardly a rookie.Better known by the surf industry as “John John,” Florence entered the surfing stage at a mere 5 years old, garnering his skills at one of the most renowned surf breaks in the world conveniently situated literally in his backyard, the Banzai Pipeline. Known for his dominating tube riding skills, striking aerial technique and effortless style, John Florence is no stranger to big wave surfing.
At 13, John Florence became the youngest surfer to ever compete at the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, demonstrating a remarkable performance against surfers twenty years his senior. In 2011, Florence followed an impressive rookie performance at Pipeline in 2010 with an unprecedented victory as the 2011 Vans Triple Crown Champion at age 19. In 2012, John earned ASP Rookie of the Year, took his first WTC title at Billabong Pro Rio and placed 4th in the ASP World Tour Title rankings.
John Florence narrows the field, merging competitive surf prowess with impeccable freeriding ability that is paving the way for a new generation of surfing. Often touted as the next Kelly Slater, the personable Florence remains incredibly humble despite his early success.
Florence's signature move is getting shacked at pipe, and his worst injury was a broken back. He also enjoys skateboarding,snowboarding and drawing. Most recently, Florence changed sponsors ,joining Hurley International,after surfing for O'Neill since he was six years old.
John is the oldest of three surfing Florence brothers including Nathan, 18, and Ivan 16. The boys learned how to surf from their mother Alexandra while growing up in Hale'iwa in an ocean side beach house at the Banzai Pipeline.John John claims to have rode a surfboard with his dad at the age of 6 months then on his own at age 3 I guess you could say John was born to surf.
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