Photo: WSL
John John Florence surfed all of three heats in 2025 — the Opening Round through Round of 16 in January’s Pipe Pro. It would have been a result worth keeping in the Championship Tour standings had Florence gone into the event with any intention to defend his 2024 world title. Instead, Florence had announced just a couple weeks earlier that he’d be taking the entire season off. On Wednesday, Florence and the WSL announced he’ll return to full-time CT competition in 2026. The league is granting the three-time world champ a season wildcard to do so.
“JJF is back,” the WSL wrote in an announcement Wednesday morning. “3X World Champ, Pipe Master, Eddie Winner, and one of the most progressive surfers of all time. The dynamic approach John brings to wave riding is truly one of a kind. He blows minds and raises the bar for what’s possible on a surfboard every time he paddles out, and now, he’s back in the jersey.”
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Florence’s year off tour looked like an eventful one. He surfed, dove head first into R&D for his brand, Florence Marine X, and traveled with family, most recently sailing with his brothers across the Pacific.
“I’ve decided to focus on surfing in a different way this year,” Florence said back in January. “I want to create the time to explore, find new waves, and draw different lines. I intend to compete full on for another world title in 2026, but right now this idea of adventure and creatively pushing my surfing as far as possible is really exciting!”
JJF will obviously come back a heavy favorite to contend for a world title in 2026 under the WSL’s new season format. In his 2024 world title campaign, Florence appeared in four finals, including a win at the Surf City El Salvador Pro. He then won the WSL Finals at Trestles by beating Italo Ferreira in back-to-back heats.
