SNAPPER ROCKS, Queensland/Australia (Sunday, March 10, 2013) - John John Florence (HAW), 20, 2012 ASP World No. 4 and ASP Dream Tour sophomore, has withdrawn from the opening event of the 2013 ASP World Championship Tour (WCT) season, the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by Land Rover, citing an ankle injury sustained during yesterday's expression session.

Florence secured a convincing Round 1 win over Kai Otton (AUS), 33, and Patrick Gudauskas (USA), 27, last Tuesday and looked like a contender to post a big result in the season-opening event. However, an injury sustained while attempted a full-rotation aerial in Saturday's expression session resulted in his withdrawal from the event today, just hours before his Round 3 match-up with Adam Melling (AUS), 27.

Melling will advance directly to Round 4 of competition.

More information to come.

The ASP wish John John a speedy recovery and look forward to him returning to the water soon.

The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by Land Rover will be webcast via quiksilverlive.com

For more information, log onto ASPWorldTour.com

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