John John Florence put in the performance of a lifetime at the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro, setting a new standard for powerful rail surfing in big, open-faced waves.
This was all the more spectacular, as he'd come into this season after an incredible run the previous year, when he won the Eddie, The Triple Crown, and the World Title. No one would have blamed him for easing up.
Instead, he found an entirely new level of brilliance, with a commanding run through the event relying on huge carves - exited, somehow, with more rather than less speed - the likes of which had never been seen before in competition.
In this episode of World Surf Weekly, we take a dive into Florence's pivotal performance in Western Australia.
This event is being celebrated in this week's edition of WSL Rewind, where you can relive one of the most naturally-gifted and compelling surfers in history absolutely toying with one of the most challenging waves on the Championship Tour.
So, how did Florence become such a master in big, shifty open-ocean waves? His childhood on the North Shore of Oahu certainly helped, with ready access to plenty of big, powerful reef breaks.
In fact, you'd be forgiven for thinking Main Break, on its day, bore something of a resemblance to Pupukea, a wave which has played a staring role in Florence's development as a surfer.
This was also shortly after Florence began working full-time with coach Ross Williams. He recently told the WSL that Williams helped him connect some dots, and work on his "in between" surfing.
The reigning World Champion delivered a jaw-dropping exhibition on Saturday.
"I spent my whole life taking off on a wave and going as fast as I could to get from point A to point B on the end, rather than figuring out what's in the middle there. I would just pump and try and do something big," Florence said, during an interview for The Lineup podcast.
However he did it, this was the event at which an athlete who was already at the cutting edge - widely considered one of the most exciting, progressive and entertaining surfers of a generation -- somehow found an entire new level, and put on one of the best shows in the history of competitive surfing.
John John Florence's historic run at Margaret River won't soon be forgotten.
The JJF Performance That Set A New Standard For Rail Surfing
Ben Collins
John John Florence put in the performance of a lifetime at the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro, setting a new standard for powerful rail surfing in big, open-faced waves.
This was all the more spectacular, as he'd come into this season after an incredible run the previous year, when he won the Eddie, The Triple Crown, and the World Title. No one would have blamed him for easing up.
Instead, he found an entirely new level of brilliance, with a commanding run through the event relying on huge carves - exited, somehow, with more rather than less speed - the likes of which had never been seen before in competition.
This event is being celebrated in this week's edition of WSL Rewind, where you can relive one of the most naturally-gifted and compelling surfers in history absolutely toying with one of the most challenging waves on the Championship Tour.
So, how did Florence become such a master in big, shifty open-ocean waves? His childhood on the North Shore of Oahu certainly helped, with ready access to plenty of big, powerful reef breaks.
In fact, you'd be forgiven for thinking Main Break, on its day, bore something of a resemblance to Pupukea, a wave which has played a staring role in Florence's development as a surfer.
This was also shortly after Florence began working full-time with coach Ross Williams. He recently told the WSL that Williams helped him connect some dots, and work on his "in between" surfing.
"I spent my whole life taking off on a wave and going as fast as I could to get from point A to point B on the end, rather than figuring out what's in the middle there. I would just pump and try and do something big," Florence said, during an interview for The Lineup podcast.
However he did it, this was the event at which an athlete who was already at the cutting edge - widely considered one of the most exciting, progressive and entertaining surfers of a generation -- somehow found an entire new level, and put on one of the best shows in the history of competitive surfing.
John John Florence
This year the North Shore "winter" season was pleasantly extended, and the Florence Brothers made the most of the curtain call swell.
Massive waves, Perfect 10s, epic wipeouts and a changing of the guard.
The North Shore on the cook, Tyler Wright on the revamped Tour, Rewind heads to France and Surfrider's Supreme Court win.
The bones of surf coaching come down to being a good mentor, first and foremost.
Here are five must-see heats from an epic year at the wild and rugged Margaret River, in Western Australia.
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