Surfing, Kiteboarding, Windsurfing and Bodyboarding News Center. Breaking News, Surfing Games, Surf Movies, Board Size Charts, Surf Videos, Wind and Wave Forecasts, Surf Shop, Surf Spots, Surf Cams, Surf Travel.
John John Florence claims the World Cup of Surfing
Saturday, 03 December 2011 13:38

John John Florence: yellow means gold

Hawaii's John John Florence won the Vans World Cup of Surfing, at Sunset Beach, Hawaii. the 19-year-old prodigy led a spectacular tube-riding battle in perfect 10-foot surf against Michel Bourez, Adam Melling and Hank Gaskell. His two-wave heat total of 17 points (9.5, 7.5) eclipsed the field. W

Florence began his Vans Triple Crown campaign two weeks ago at Haleiwa, where he placed fifth. The third and final leg of the Vans Triple Crown now awaits him on his home doorstep at Pipeline. "I'm having fun, I surf for a living and that's a dream in itself," said Florence. Watch the final video highlights, here.

"This is my first 6 star Prime win, it's at home, it's one of my home breaks and all my family and friends are here, so it's one of the best moments of my life, for sure. It means everything. I've watched these guys since I was so little growing up here and coming to events when I was six years old, getting their autographs."

On the upcoming Pipe Masters: "I live right there at Pipe and I surf there almost every day in all conditions. Its going to be fun, for sure."

There was as much adrenaline on the beach as there was on the waves for the final. Sunset turned on like a giant wave machine, pumping out a succession of rides that saw every finalist get barreled. But Florence's performance was astounding; he covered an expansive lineup seemingly picking off waves at will with every one of them offering an impossible amount of tube time. Bourez and Melling fought hard to catch him in the 30-minute final.

At one point, Melling found himself inside a game-changer of a tube ride, traveling for more than 100 yards and disappearing for six seconds, but he failed to emerge through the curtain of whitewater.

After his runner-up finish at Haleiwa, and his third here today, Melling is ranked second on the Vans Triple Crown ratings and will follow John John to Pipe.

"It would have been good to go one better than the last contest, but I guess that's how it is," said Melling, from Australia's Lennox Head. "But if there's barrels and John John's around I'm sure he's in them somewhere."

On his tube ride that was the longest of the final: "It wasn't that great! I didn't make it! But it would have been good. I was coming through it, I raced, and I got through one hard bit and then just into the next and it dropped out on me. I thought I had it there for a little bit. It would have been nice to come out of it.

"The Triple Crown means everything. Since I was young coming over here I've always wanted to win it, which would be amazing. Last year I did alright out at Pipe but I'm guessing this year's going to be a little bit different. I think it's going to be big Pipe. I'll have to get out there this week and get a bit of practice in."

The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing is a three-event series staged on Oahu's North Shore. It is famous for its three equally challenging venues of Haleiwa, Sunset Beach and Pipeline that represent the ultimate test of a surfer's ability. To win the Vans Triple Crown is second only to winning the ASP World Title.

Final:

1st - John John Florence (HAW) 17.00pts, $40,000
2nd - Michel Bourez (PYF) 12.30pts, $20,000
3rd - Adam Melling (AUS) 11.96pts, $12,000
4th - Hank Gaskell (HAW) 11.53pts, $10,000


 

Join our surfing community in Facebook!   Get the top news stories in your Twitter account!   SurferToday.com on Google +   Follow us on Pinterest   SurferToday on Youtube

The best surf watches in the world
Wave Height Forecast
Wind Speed and Direction Forecast
Wave Period
Surf Videos
Surf Books
Surf Movies
Online Surfing Games

SURFING

The surf earplugs that allow you to hear
22/05/2013
article thumbnail

The new Seals Balance Pro by EQ earplugs allow surfers to protect their ears and hear everything when wearing them.
When spring and summer start, everyone surfs more often. Also, all-year round surfers are more exposed to severe ear injuries, such as the surfer's ear (Exostosis) and swimmer's ear (Otitis). This problem can be developed after 3000 hours of cold water surfing. Neoprene hoodies and ear plugs are the best way to avoid surgery.


The equestrian experience of horse surfing
22/05/2013
article thumbnail

Horseboarding is the modern version of chariot racing that promises to pump extreme hearts and classic horse lovers.
They say taking off is the hardest part. Please welcome the world of horseboarding, where horsepower is, in fact, the power output of a horse. Not a jet ski. Horseboarding can be enjoyed both in the water of oceans and rivers and in countryside race tracks. If you live by the sea, grab a surfboard, kite board, wake board or skim board and prepare to speed up to the 40 miles  [ ... ]


+ Surfing News

KITEBOARDING

"Kite Surfer" is the new wind riding game for iOS
22/05/2013
article thumbnail

"Kite Surfer" is the latest kitesurfing game for iPhone and iPad.
Lemondo Entertainment has announced the release of its newest game, "Kite Surfer", an arcade kitesurfing game designed for both iPhone and iPad. "Kite Surfer" is an endless running game, in which players take control of a character by swiping on the display or tilting a mobile device.


Pudla Narapichit hailed Kiteboard Tour Asia 2012/2013 champion
21/05/2013
article thumbnail

Pudla Narapichit and Doque Delos Santos have been crowned the Kiteboard Tour Asia 2012/2013 champions.
With 120 riders from 30 countries, the final and decisive Chinese stage once again broke all records, at Pingtan Island, also known as Haitan Island. The spot is regarded as China's windiest location - regular wind speeds of over 30 knots are recorded over the winter monsoon season and all of the island's old traditional style stone houses need to have rocks placed on top of their tiled roo [ ... ]


+ Kitesurfing News

WINDSURFING

Taty Frans and Kiri Thode blast the Curacao Challenge 2013
17/05/2013
article thumbnail

Taty Frans and Kiri Thode have claimed the Slalom and Freestyle titles at the Curacao Challenge 2013, in the Netherlands Antilles.
A total of 85 windsurfers from some of the world's best sailing countries like Bonaire, Aruba and Curacao competed in front of hundreds of spectators. The 5th edition of the Curacao Challenge showcased an high level of competition mixed with a great atmosphere. The event held a Tow-In Freestyle contest, Slalom races and a SUP battle.


The windsurfing book for young people
14/05/2013
article thumbnail

"Go Windsurfing!" is a windsurfing book for young people published by the Royal Yachting Association.
Written and illustrated by Claudia Myatt, "RYA Go Windsurfing!" offers easy reading style and engaging content to children aged between 7-12 years old. The entertaining and clear format takes the reader from the beginnings through to starting to race and what they need to know to stay safe while out windsurfing. There is also an informative section at the back which explores Windsurfing amaz [ ... ]


+ Windsurfing News

BODYBOARDING

Nuno Azevedo sweeps fourth Luso Galaico Championship title
22/05/2013
article thumbnail

Nuno Azevedo has conquered the bodyboarding division of the XV Luso Galaico Championship, a competition between Portuguese and Galician riders.
Up to 64 bodyboarders and surfers from the North of Portugal and the Spanish region of Galicia have competed at Cabedelo Beach and Arda Beach, in Viana do Castelo. With a mobile structure and a new live scoring system, the level of competition was high in the 2-4 foot waves on offer. Portuguese riders claimed four out of five titles at the XV Luso Ga [ ... ]


What happens in Teahupoo stays in Teahupoo
22/05/2013
article thumbnail

What happens in Teahupoo stays in Teahupoo. Don't tell anyone about the wipeouts you're about to witness.
When surfers are out of the game, bodyboarders go for it. During the infamous mid-May swell of 2013, a group of prone riders decided to taste the real power of the Tahitian barrel. Maui Leetham, Richard Niko, Jurd Heimana, Thibault Casabianca, John Duval prepared their boards, leashes and cameras and paddled into the devil, with fin power only.


+ Bodyboarding News