John John Florence Interview: 3x World Champion in Surfing
It’s not every day that you get to chat with a World Champ. It’s even rarer to speak to someone who has done it three times, the most recent being less than a week ago. Just days before his landmark third world title, John John and I were able to have a meaningful conversation about life and surfing.
Originally posted on The Inertia, it was heavily edited for a larger, more generic audience. In fact, I was curious what the ol’ chat bot thought about the changes and this was what it had to say:
The original article is more “core,” offering deeper context, storytelling, and candid conversation that hardcore fans of John John Florence and surfing would appreciate. It provides rich details about his career, mental state, and personal experiences, which engage readers who are already invested in the sport. However, it can feel lengthy and less polished.
In contrast, the revised version is more concise and polished, focusing on readability and engagement for a broader, more casual audience. It cuts down on background and storytelling, making the piece more accessible but losing some of the raw, intimate charm that resonates with dedicated fans. Overall, the original is tailored to the “core” surfing audience, while the revision appeals to a wider readership.
Sounds about right to me. Anyway, here’s the original:
Don’t call it a comeback.
John John Florence has been doing it for years. Twelve years on the WCT, in fact. Over those years he has been no stranger to the yellow jersey, but now, it’s different. For the first time in the winner-takes-all finals format of the WSL, John John is the frontrunner where the world title will come down to one heat, with four others battling it out in one day in successive elimination rounds to determine who will leave the water the champion of professional surfing for 2024.
It’s strange to even fathom the idea of John John Florence’s status on surfing’s top shelf being in question and needing to remind people that he’s one of the world’s best to ever paddle out. But here we are, on the eve of the crowning moment for the WCT, where before this season, many had written him off. Coming off last year in eighth place, it wouldn’t be an unpopular opinion to say that John John’s best competitive days were behind him.
Since taking home back to back world titles in 2016 and 2017, John John has built his own brand, Florence Marine, and climbed the ranks of endorsements to have a laundry list of support from some of the world’s biggest brands. One of those big-name sponsors is Samsung, who was also a key supporter of athletes in the Olympics, of which John John represented the Stars and Stripes in Tahiti for a contest to remember. Being the heavyweight sponsor they are, Samsung connected me with their golden boy to share his experience at the Olympics, but the conversation soon digressed.
In this interview, John John opens up about the lessons learned from his Olympic experience, the balance between his passion for competitive surfing and his love for exploration, and how fatherhood has reshaped his perspective on life. Whether he’s scoring a perfect 10 in competition, sailing the South Pacific, or navigating fatherhood, John John’s approach is nothing short of inspiring—a testament to the power of perseverance, purpose, and staying true to what you love.
Steve: So, let’s begin with last month at the Olympics. How was that experience for you? Obviously, not the best competitive outcome, but what was the event like from your perspective?
John John: Yeah, the whole experience was really fun for me. I learned a lot about how I approached the event and how I’d approach it differently in the future. I think I underestimated going and being a part of a team like that—like being part of team USA we’re such a big team. So it was just different to how we do our normal tour. And it was actually really fun to be a part of that, so I thought that part was really cool.
Steve: How would you compare the Olympics to a typical WSL event?
John John: It was a lot more structured. Everything was scheduled—practice surf sessions, how you got to your heat, kind of just everything around the event was a lot more structured. Like you only get to surf between 9:30 and 11:30 with these surfers, and that’s your practice session for the day. Things like that. It was just a different experience, a different way of competing.
Steve: Do you think the Olympics helped bring more attention to surfing? I think about how the photo of Gabriel Medina became one of the most popular photos from surfing in the Olympics. Do you think that that’s representative of the attention that surfing got? Or do you think that the event opened people up to the sport of surfing, rather than the spectacle?
John John: Yeah, I think on that day of those waves when that photo was shot. For me, I lost on that day, and it hurt, and it was sad, but when I look back on it now, I’m super stoked. Because for surfing as a whole to get the waves like that on a stage like that, in competition, I thought it was amazing, and kind of unexpected, you know? It was kind of exactly what I thought that surfing needed to really blow up and for people to see it like “whoa, that’s crazy looking.”
Steve: Do you think that shows how powerful surfing’s presence was, even being so far removed from the main event?
John John: Yeah, that’s wild. It just goes to show that even though we were in Tahiti, it didn’t matter. The allure of the waves, the place, the energy—it all came through. It was perfect for showcasing what surfing is all about.
Steve: Yeah, totally. It made me look back, and I can’t believe it’s been 10 years, but to your heat with Slater in the semis in Tahiti. In mine and many others’ opinion it was one of the best heats of all time. Do you think people will start looking back and seeing events like that and help fuel even more interest?
John John: It’s hard for me to say, because I live in this world so much, that it feels like it’s a lot. And a lot of people bring up that year and the waves were pumping. For the outer circle, not in surfing, I’m not sure if it gets people to go and check it out. In the inner circle it definitely feels that people talk a lot about what each year was like, and things like that.
Steve: Have you noticed any changes in how the media covers surfing, especially after the Olympics? How has the energy felt around the sport lately?
John John: Yeah, I think I felt a really good energy toward surfing. To be honest, it’s kind of hard to say. There was definitely a lot of buzz after the Olympics. But it’s hard for me to tell just what kind of buzz it is because I’m so in the surf world. I think I’ll have a better perspective once the tour ends and I can step back a little. For now, it’s hard to see how far the Olympics was able to push surfing.
Steve: Switching gears, let’s talk about your Samsung partnership. I saw a video you did with Lionel Messi and you’re associated with some big names in the larger sports world. How has that relationship brought you a bigger audience?
John John: Yeah, the Samsung relationship has been really cool. Just to be a part of a team like that, specifically for the Olympics… they’re such a big platform. To be a part of something like that in and around the stage of the Olympics was incredible. It does tie you in to these other big names in other sports, and give you different perspectives on it, which gave me a broader perspective on the whole experience.
Steve: How did you feel connected to the rest of the Olympics, being so far from Paris?
John John: Yeah, I mean connecting with the rest of the Olympics was definitely tough. We were so far away. And I think everyone did it a little bit different, but for Team USA they had the other sports playing, and we had our opening ceremony at the same time as they did in Paris. So that was fun to be a part of when we did our thing, and then just sat down and watched on a big screen. But I think it’s always a bit tough being that far separated from it.
Steve: Do you think it was worthwhile doing it in Tahiti, and not in France?
John John: I think with technology and with the connection of the world in this day and age, I think it’s super worth it. Because, like you mentioned that photo of Gabriel – I heard it was one of the most viewed photos of the entire Olympics, which is incredible for surfing to be one of the sports to do that. And I think it goes to show that it didn’t matter if it was in Paris or Tahiti, and just being in Tahiti gives it that allure of the waves and the energy of that place.
Steve: Were there any jokes when the photo came out that it was just a claim, and not a shot in the barrel that went viral?
John John: (laughs) Yeah, I mean, I think it’s funny, but it’s a cool photo… like when you look at it and you think, “oh that’s a cool photo”. I see how that would get a lot of attention, you know? But when you know the wave that led to that, it was probably the best wave of the whole event.
Steve: Let’s talk about the upcoming finals. This is your first finals with the new format, right?
John John: Yeah.
Steve: What do you think of it?
John John: I think it’s super exciting. It’s a fun way to approach it, because I’ve won two world titles under the old format. It brings back all that nervous energy again. Not really nervous energy, but nervous excitement around something new. It feels like winning a world title for the first time again.
Steve: Yeah, and I guess you feed on that energy as a competitor to have everything boiling down down to a certain moment or just one heat.
John John: Exactly. In both my world titles I wasn’t in the water when I won. Obviously I was really stoked, but it felt a bit anticlimactic. Like you win because someone else loses their heat. And even one world title was won before the end of the year, so it was even funnier.
Steve: It reminds me of 2013 when you won the Triple Crown, Kelly Slater won Pipeline, and Mick Fanning took the world title, but you guys were all in the water winning at different times, in the same event.
John John: Yeah, that was a fun too. I felt like there was a lot more going on in surfing at that time, you know? I mean the Triple Crown felt like it was so important and it’s not even a thing anymore. Yeah, just different times in surfing, I guess.
Steve: Are you approaching this finals with a different strategy, knowing it’s just one heat?
John John: Not really a different strategy, just the culmination of everything I’ve worked on this year. Just knowing what my sweet spot is and how I want to feel before a heat. I think what I’ve been focused on is the small steps and getting myself ready for the event as if it was any other event. And then, you know, knowing that this event does have a lot more attention around it and a lot more pressure, and just spending a lot of time visualizing those feelings of being down there from start to end. My goal is to just be able to go surf without being too tense and just being relaxed and just enjoying surfing, because that’s why I’m here and that’s what I love to do.
Steve: I was looking back at your year and a big highlight was your perfect 10 at Margaret River. In that moment where the wave was closing in on you, did you realize how far off the board you were?
John John: Yeah, I remember that I took off on the wave, and was going up and was going to do a big a carve, and the wave kind of changed a bit from what I thought it was going to do. And so I kind of had to make a last-minute decision and throw my whole body weight and my tail with the lip, because it was a bit steeper than I was anticipating. So I kind of just threw that out there, and the rest was kind of I guess… I don’t know. When you’re in those moments surfing, it’s just kind of like… flow. And you’re just kind of going with it. And then, all of a sudden, I was up and bottom turning, and then I was like, “okay, here we go”. Like I didn’t know if it looked good, or bad, or what it was.
Steve: Yeah I think flow is the best way to define it, and I think you’re one of the few who could have actually stuck that.
John John: (Laughs) thanks.
Steve: When you score a perfect 10, do you know it before the score comes in?
John John: That one I had no idea, to be honest. Maybe more on the reaction from the announcers right after the wave, and the crowd I could hear… So I was like, “oh maybe that’s actually going to be a big score.” But the other 10 I got at El Sal I thought, “I think this is going to be a 10”.
Steve: And that claim you threw afterward was pretty wicked!
John John: Yeah, so in that moment, I definitely felt it was a 10.
Steve: How long do you want to surf competitively? Is there a point where you say, “okay, I’m ready to move on to the next chapter”?
John John: Yeah, I think that point will come. I’m not sure, to be honest, when. I haven’t made any decisions on anything. I know that I enjoyed this year a lot. So I’m just taking it year by year just to see what I’m enjoying doing at the moment. And I feel like I’m at a point in my life where I don’t need to be doing things that I don’t want to do. Which I feel I’m very privileged to get to have the opportunity to get to there.
Steve: I saw another interview where you talked about mindset and confidence changing this year. Can you walk us through what’s different from this year to last?
John John: Yeah, I think this year I’m just 100% committed to this tour and doing these events and competing. And you know, in past years, I’ve kind of been half in, half out. And when you’re half in, half out, you don’t do as much work behind the scenes, you’re a little more tense, and losing feels a little more scary. And it just kind of adds to breaking down the confidence. Where now I feel like I’m just committed and, win or lose, whatever I’m doing, I’m going to just keep trying to surf my best. And that, for me, gives me a lot of confidence. And it kind of relaxes me, in a sense. And when I’m relaxed, and I’m having fun, I have a lot of confidence.
Steve: What motivated you to give it 100%?
John John: Last year, I hit a low point mentally, right around El Salvador. I didn’t really want to be there, and I was in that stage of half in, half out. And after that event I almost didn’t even want to do the rest of the year. And then I was like, “okay, I’m going to go to Brazil and I’m just going to have fun and relax.” And I went there with that mindset and ended up having a good event, and having such a great time, just being relaxed and enjoying it.
And I think that for me really turned things around and going like, “okay, that’s how I like to compete”. And that was a good reminder for me and then I thought, “okay, if I’m committed to the year and I can go in relaxed and just enjoy it, I can set myself up for the best.”
Steve: I can relate. Any time away from your kid feels more meaningful.
John John: Exactly.
Steve: With all that, how are you adjusting to fatherhood? It must be a big change from the jet-setting life.
John John: Fatherhood has been amazing. It gives you a whole new perspective and a sense of purpose. Competing is still fun, but now, I know it’s not life or death. I’ve been traveling so much, and it’s tough leaving home, but I’m excited to bring my family with me once my son is a bit older. It’ll be a new way to experience everything.
Steve: How old is your son now?
John John: He’s four months old.
Steve: That’s wild! I just had a son too—he’s four and a half months. It’s amazing watching their little personalities come to life.
John John: Yeah, it’s incredible. Right around this time, he’s really starting to smile and become his own little human. I’m excited to bring him along for more of the journey.
Steve: I also want to talk about your sailing trip. It’s kind of the opposite of the whole Olympic spectacle, just with you sailing the Pacific. It seems like a huge yin and yang aspect of life that not many people get to experience. I mean it’s a really unique thing that you get to compete on this world stage winning titles and then you take off on a sailing trip around the south Pacific. How do you embrace that yin and yang?
John John: I think for me, sailing and surfing, and going to these places and the curiosity of seeing what’s around the corner is deeply ingrained in me. For whatever reason, it’s something that’s equal to the competitive side. For me, the competing has always been about surfing. Surfing is it for me, regardless of whether I’m surfing in a jersey or not. Being in a jersey is just a different way of doing it. I think it’s a fundamental side of the jersey thing to put yourself into these positions, these high pressure situations, and to try and be able to let go and just surf. But on the flip side of it, going sailing and the challenge of going from Hawaii to Fiji like we did last year, and going under your own power. For me, I just really love the idea of that.
And so when I do get to do that, it just fills me up in a whole different way than competing does, I guess. I always loved that part of the ocean.
Steve: How do you grow when you go on these trips?
John John: I think that I grow a lot on these trips because of the challenge in itself. There’s a difference between a surf trip where you go somewhere and you fly in and have fun waves and everything is about performance or filming or just in having fun. But sailing has a challenge all around it. It’s like, you’re on day 15 of sailing nonstop and something breaks, and you’re 1000 miles to Fiji or wherever you are in the ocean and you have to be a good problem solver, which I’m finding I really enjoy that side of it.
And I feel like I’m becoming a better problem solver, and working problems backwards and being able to fix things and keep moving forward. And weirdly enough, I think that learning that helps me apply it into the rest of my life, whether I’m competing and thinking about things mentally or physically. There’s a lot of what I learned on these trips because you have no other choice but to figure out what’s going on.
Steve: What’s an example of something that went wrong on the trip where you had to problem-solve on the fly?
John John: We broke one of our rudders about 2,000 miles from Fiji and had to make an emergency stop in the Phoenix Islands. We fixed it temporarily, but later the main pin holding the rudder snapped. You don’t want to rely on just one rudder that far out, so it was a constant problem-solving process. We had to figure it out, day by day, adjusting as we went. That’s sailing—something always breaks, and you just have to keep moving forward.
Steve: As someone with multiple world titles and an Olympic appearance, how has your approach to surfing changed now compared to when you first started?
John John: I’m much more mindful about what I’m doing now. Early in my career, I just went as fast as I could, trying the biggest airs or turns. Now, I enjoy the process more. Winning is great, but it’s the journey that matters. Last year, I struggled mentally on tour, but this year, I’ve committed to enjoying every step—win or lose, I’m just here to keep pushing and learning. It’s all about growth.
JJF with John Pyzel. Photo: Samsung
The moment at Margaret River where he almost lost his board but got out with a perfect 10. Photo: WSL Youtube (screenshot)
