John John Florence wins the Billabong Pro Rio - Enters the World Title Race

John John gives notice! (Photo: ASP)

I can only chuckle away thinking of the last year of surf media and commentary. No one denied that John John Florence had the talent or the desire to be a world champion. It is just that such a song and dance have been made over Gabriel Medina and Kohole Andino. The entire surf media have been claiming these two young and phenomenal surfers as the future, with little to no similar treatment of John John. They would reply, sure John John is amazing at Pipeline and will be a definite threat at Fiji and Tahiti, but that is really, is it not? Well surf media and the world, John John just gave notice in the beach breaks of Brazil, it does not matter what the waves are doing, he wants to win and he wants a world title! Joel Parkinson swooped to the finals with his usual tube riding and incredible turns, but he had nothing to give against John John in the final, where he found himself in combo land after just 4 minutes. The old guard are starting to show chinks in their armor especially when the waves are asking for massive punts and technical aerials. John John has these on demand along with his phenomenal tube riding skills.

The results in Brazil see Joel Parkinson take the lead in the World Title race, with good mate Mick Fanning right behind him and Josh Kerr rocketing into 3rd place. John John's win takes him into 6th place on the rankings just in front of our own Jordy Smith. Heading to Fiji and the possibility of giant Cloudbreak and endless tubes, John John must be a favorite and no one on tour is going to want him in their heats with his confidence this high! I cannot wait for the event, though it is going to be night owl hours for those of us watching in South Africa.
Congrats John John!