JJ Florence Prepares For Triple Crown
Shred Prodigy
While there been plenty of criticism for ASP’s new two-tiered system, the elite 32-man World Tour, and the mid-season shuffles – for one of the most famous groms ever – John John Florence – it’s all good. He lives mere steps from the Pipeline and he’s also one of the top young surfers on the ASP World Tour.
Having just turned 19, he’s been accumulating the points of late – he won the Volcom Pipeline Pro back in January, which helped shuffle him into the top 32 – and soon he’ll be surfing close to home in the upcoming Vans Triple Crown.
Check out video from the 2011 Volcom Pipeline Pro Final here:
Jon Coen of ESPN recently caught up with him:
Q: So, you’re on tour now. Is it everything you’ve ever dreamed?
It’s definitely different than what I expected from the time I was little. It’s hard. You have to go into every event with 100 percent confidence and just surf your best because everyone there is there to win and no one is going to give you the heat. You have to win by a mile to really make a heat.
Q:What has been the hardest part of adjusting to the tour, in and out of the water?
Yeah, ever since I got on the tour my schedule has been crazy. Going to contests back to back, World Tour and Primes, I’ve noticed a lot more things with my surfing that could be improved for my heats to improve. Staying focused throughout all of those events for months at a time is hard to adjust to, but definitely fun.
Q:Of the guys who’ve done some miles on tour, who has been the most helpful?
That’s a hard one because everyone on the tour is really into what they’re doing and focused on winning. No one wants to tell you their secrets because you never know when you might get a heat with them. Kelly has told me a couple things.
Q:What has he said to help you out?
He didn’t say much, just some things that I could improve.
Q:You finished 13th at Trestles and 9th in Portugal. A lot of people expected you to only excel in hollow waves. But you’ve proven pretty versatile.
Like I said earlier, you have to go into every event with 100 percent confidence that you’re going to do well and no matter the waves or the weather, you have to find the right board and heat strategy.
John John Florence, the most famous grom ever, is now one of the top young surfers on the ASP World Tour and in good shape heading into the Hawaiian season.
Q:Do you feel like you’ve gotten some instant respect just because of where you’re from and your reputation at Pipe?
Maybe a little, but that’s just because I’ve been surfing out here for so long — it’s the same as Nat Young at the Lane or Kolohe Andino at Lowers, you know. It’s your home spot and you surf there every day.
Q:I imagine you’re just completely fired up for the Vans Triple Crown. How will this year be different?
I’m so stoked, I can’t wait. Just being home and surfing in warm water will be fun. This year is pretty different though, because I’m going into it much more focused and in more of a contest mode.
Check out JJ Florence at this years ASP Rip Curl Pro Portugal here:
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