John John Florence facts for kids
Quick facts for kids John "John John" Alexander Florence |
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Florence at the 2013 Triple Crown of Surfing
|
|
| Personal information | |
| Born | October 18, 1992 Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. |
| Residence | Haleʻiwa, Hawaii, U.S. |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg) |
| Surfing career | |
| Best year | 1st: 2016, 2017, 2024 - WSL World Champion |
| Sponsors | Machu Picchu Energy, Stance, Nixon, VEIA Supplies, Clif Bar, Therabody, Yeti and Pyzel surfboards |
| Major achievements |
|
| Surfing specifications | |
| Stance | Regular (natural foot) |
John "John John" Alexander Florence (born October 18, 1992) is an American professional surfer. He is known as one of the best surfers at Banzai Pipeline, a famous surf spot. He won two world titles in a row on the World Surf League (WSL) Men's Championship Tour in 2016 and 2017. He is the first surfer from Hawaii to win back-to-back world titles since Andy Irons. John John also represented the United States in surfing at the 2020 Summer Olympics and qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Contents
Growing Up with Waves
John John Florence was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is the oldest of three brothers, Ivan, Tal, and Nathan Florence. He grew up in Haleʻiwa, Hawaii, right by the ocean at Banzai Pipeline. His mom, Alexandra, who is also a surfer, taught him how to surf.
He first rode a surfboard when he was only six months old! By the time he was five, he was surfing all by himself. Besides surfing, John John also enjoys skateboarding, snowboarding, and drawing. He was named "John John" after John F. Kennedy Jr., who was also called "John John" by the media.
Amazing Surfing Career
When John John was just 13 years old, he became the youngest surfer ever to compete in the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. This event has three big-wave contests in Hawaii. Even though he didn't win that first time, he scored higher than some older professional surfers.
A famous pro surfer, Kelly Slater, once said that John John would know the waves on the North Shore of Oahu better than anyone. This prediction came true!
Over the years, John John has had some injuries, including a broken back, wrist, leg, arm, and an ankle injury. But he always came back to surf again.
Becoming a World Champion
John John Florence has achieved amazing things in surfing:
- In 2011 and 2013, he won the Vans World Cup of Surfing. He was the youngest person to win this award.
- He won the prestigious SURFER POLL award in 2014-2015.
- He has won the Volcom Pipe Pro four times, showing he is a master of the Banzai Pipeline.
- In 2014, he won the Quiksilver Pro France.
One of his biggest achievements was winning "The Eddie" Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational in 2016. This event only happens when the waves are huge! He is one of only ten surfers to ever win it.
On October 25, 2016, John John won the Meo Rip Curl Pro in Portugal. This win made him the WSL World Champion! He was the first Hawaiian surfer in over a decade to win this title since Andy Irons in 2004.
He continued his strong performance in 2017 and won his second straight world title in December 2017 at Banzai Pipeline.
Olympics and Recent Years
In 2019, even after an ACL injury, John John qualified for the 2020 Summer Olympics. He competed in surfing's first-ever appearance at the Olympics but was eliminated in the third round.
In December 2020, he won the Billabong Pipeline Masters. He then won the Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold Haleiwa Challenger in December 2021. He also kept the Triple Crown of Surfing title for 2021. In December 2023, he won the Vans Pipe Masters.
In 2024, John John Florence won his third world title at Lower Trestles. This made him a three-time WSL World Champion!
In January 2025, John John announced he would take a break from the WSL Championship Tour. He wants to focus on surfing in different ways. He will get a special wildcard spot for the 2026 Championship Tour.
Sponsors and His Own Brand
John John has had many sponsors throughout his career. In 2013, he joined Hurley International. Later, he partnered with Machu Picchu Energy, a new energy drink brand. He is currently sponsored by Machu Picchu Energy, Stance, Futures, Nixon, Dakine, Clif Bar, Electric, Yeti, and Pyzel surfboards.
In 2020, John John also started his own clothing and surf brand called "Florence Marine X."
Surfing Films
John John Florence has starred in and narrated several surfing films.
- Done
His first surfing film, Done, came out in 2013. It won the Surfer Poll 2013 Movie of the Year Award. John John also won the Best Performance Award for his role in the film.
- Departure Delayed, Free to Roam, Begin Again, Again, And Again
These are five short films released in 2013. Begin Again won the Surfer Poll 2013 Short of the Year Award.
- View from a Blue Moon
Released in 2015, View from a Blue Moon is a film about John John and his friends surfing around the world. It was the first surf film ever shot in 4K quality. Helicopters were used to film all the amazing aerial shots!
- Let's Be Frank
In 2016, John John narrated Let's Be Frank, a film about big wave surfer Frank Solomon.
- Twelve
In 2016, John John released the first episode of his series called Twelve. This series had seven episodes that followed his journey to win his first world title.
Personal Life
John John Florence is married to Lauryn Cribb. His brother, Nathan, is also a professional surfer who competes on the Big Wave World Tour.
See also
In Spanish: John John Florence para niños
