John John Florence discovered he was inching closer to his first World Title via text. Having led the tour rankings for a good portion of the year, this wasn’t exactly a revelation. But the reality of it all started to sink in when the WSL began its European leg in France, and by Portugal every interview he fielded was peppered with number crunching scenarios and World Title possibilities.
So he wrapped up his Round 3 heat at the MEO Rip Curl Pro in Portugal and left the beach.
“Gabriel was in the next heat against Jeremy. I laughed,” says Florence. “I was like I can’t watch this I gotta go right now. I have to go get ready for tomorrow. And then I just got a text saying Gabriel lost.”
The next day he stayed and watched it all, with Jordy Smith still in mathematical contention. Conner Coffin eliminated Smith in those semifinals and the deal was sealed. Then John John went out and capped it off by winning the final.
Hear Florence detail it all, from the build up in Europe to his awesome North Shore homecoming parade, in Hurley’s sixth episode of “Twelve.”
