Newly crowned 2016 World Champion John John Florence returned home to gift his community with yet another astounding victory on Friday at the Hawaiian Pro, the first stop of the Vans Triple Crown and World Surf League Qualifying Series 10,000 event.
In one of the tightest finals in competitive history, Florence broke a tie with Frederico Morais (Portugal) for first place, winning with the highest individual wave score on a countback. Marc Lacomare (France) finished third and Adrian Buchan (Australia) was fourth.
“It’s been the best year of my life for sure,” said Florence atop the podium. “So happy to be back home and with my family and friends.”
The start to 2016 saw Florence make the quarterfinal at the Volcom Pipe Pro. He followed that up with a win at the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational
After the breakthrough victory, Florence followed with a win at the Oi Rio Pro and a pair of second place finishes at the J-Bay Open and Billabong Pro Tahiti.
Florence clinched the world title with a victory at the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal.
“I want to win another World Title for sure,” Florence said. “I’d love to win the Triple Crown and I want to win Pipe. I want to win everything. So that’s my goal right now, to be a really good competitive surfer. I think there’s so much to learn about myself and learn how to compete still. I’m really excited looking towards next year for that.”
Florence activated the heat as a three-wave set appeared on the horizon, taking off on the first one for a 6.83. Meanwhile Morais and Lacomare jumped on the succeeding waves for matching 8.33’s from the judges and a tie for first, an early indicator of how the heat – and eventually the win – would progress. The four surfers went wave for wave in the 35-minute final, with Florence taking the lead after posting an excellent 8.83 on his second wave.
With total commitment, Florence stood apart from competitors with his down-the-line speed, but Morais proved equally talented with aggressive maneuvers. Morais impressed the beach crowd with a big frontside snap followed by two more major turns and a big air drop floater to shift the scenario. His calculated yet loose surfing scored him a 7.33 on his second wave, which tied him for first with Florence. Morais needed to secure a 7.34 to jump ahead of Florence and in the dying seconds of the heat had his final shot at it. He came incredibly close to knocking off Florence with a 7.33.
“That was crazy,” Florence said. “I can’t even believe I won, I’m so stoked. I came home and was just going to do Haleiwa for fun and to win it is amazing.”