John John Flirts With Perfection, Wins Pipe Pro!

The best thing about everything that John John is doing right now is that it's all just the beginning. We're all witness to what is becoming the next level. A well-roundedness that is beyond comprehension and an approach that will take things further.

John John was not 100% at the Volcom Pipe Pro. He had a deep cut in his hand, and his back (which he broke about a year ago) was not feeling good. In all honesty, it was a bit of a struggle for him. But, this is where true grit prevails, and John was defending his title. He was surfing for neighborhood supremacy, which means more than points or money, when you live at Pipeline.

Every heat he came from behind. Guys were packing 8-10 foot bombs, and John was waiting for the good ones. Good enough ones to get through the heat, a few times. His intimate knowledge of the reef bailed him out more than once, and when he got to the Semis he could smell another event win at Pipe. But, with 11:26 seconds left in the heat he was in 4th. Seven and a half minutes later, with 3:50 left on the clock, he was in 1st. A minute later, he was further ahead. Things happen fast.

Things stayed on the same pace during the Final. John started slow. J.O.B. did not. He was throwing away an 8.00 and sitting on two 9's in the first 10 minutes of the Heat. John had 3 points. But, things happen fast at the Pipeline, and after taking one massive Pipe closeout to get the blood flowing, John came to. With 16:54 seconds left on the clock he got a 6.33. Signs of life, but he went quiet again. Twelve more minutes ticked away, and then the flood gates opened. A 10.0 with 4:00 left, and then a 9.93 Backdoor buzzer beater.

Seven hundredths of a point from perfection, but a third Pipe event win, all before his twentieth birthday.

The neighborhood is ripe with talent, and the rivalry between John and J.O.B. is strong and healthy. The boys were high fivin' and hugging it out on the beach. Nothing you can say about a double near perfect performance from the hood's two superstars. Volcom Pipeline Pro rules, again!

Congrats John! We love you...

John John takes Sunset, Vans World Cup

As if he were only good in front of his house at Pipe. Just saying...

JJ put on a clinic up the road the last two days, showing the world that North Shore knowledge is all encompassing. He kind of re-wrote the book, actually. With Futures teammate and Sunset kingpin Pancho Sullivan in his corner, John took his talent and Pancho's knowledge and let it rip. It was a beautiful display.

Bear in mind, last week in Haleiwa he made the Semi-finals at the Reef Hawaiian Pro, with a bag of tricks spawning from insane backside airs, that looked something like this. But, this week was different. It was classic. Late drops, long bottom turns, deep tubes and vicious hacks. The kind of stuff a purist's dreams are made of.

At the end of the day John had four of the Top 10 Heat Scores of the event, including the highest score of 18.40 in the Semi-finals. He had the 2nd and 3rd highest Waves Scores, with only Ola's perfect 10.0 scoring higher.

Enjoy it all via the Vans Heat Analyzer, as many times as you want.

Congrats John. See you at Pipe next week.

My Set-Up: John Florence

He's become iconic at Pipe. But, John John carried on this year and has shown his ability in all types of waves. In September he made the jump onto the ASP World Tour. Thanks to a lack of swell on the North Shore today, he's out riding his small wave board. Here's his take...

"This is a Grunt, it's a 5'11" and it's made for small waves. I don't know the rest of the dimensions, all I know is it is 5'11". Pyzel is keeping things a little secret these days, which is fine for me. These are the new Proto-Type fins that were just made. They're a tiny bit bigger than the F4's, a little bit different template, and working well so far. Backdoor was fun."