The five best #TOURNOTES of 2015

#TOURNOTES won best series at the Surfer Poll Awards this year because it’s the best web series in surfing. It doesn’t base itself in surf porn (though, covers this area extremely well when necessary), instead it focuses on behind the scenes action and brings to light the colourful personalities that make up the world tour. It’s hard to argue that John John Florence isn’t the star of this series, but as the episodes unfold they leave us asking for more Simpo. The first of this list is featured above:

1. #TOURNOTES: To Claim or Not To Claim? Our beloved Brett Simpson weighs in heavily on the claiming dilemma and offers wonderful imitations of his Brazillian pals, along with assorted members of the top 34. “I saw Medina claim a 6 at Bells once!”- Kelly Slater.

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2. #TOURNOTES: The John John Florence West Oz Clinic
John John Florence’s Western Australia prowess is so real that he may just be from the place. Well, the same could be said for most waves across the globe, the kid’s an absolute freak… but we all knew that. Outside of the water though he slides in just fine, vacationing as a fisherman, doctor, wine connoisseur then gives the Box a proper, ribbed for pleasure knifing. Also, isn’t Carissa Moore just delightful? She’s the sweetest thing. This episode additionally features the recently retired Cj Hobgood speaking his mind about somebody… but who?

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3. #TOURNOTES: J-Bay Reactions
It shouldn’t be too hard to guess what this one’s about. Maybe Mick Fanning, a shark and Julian Wilson? This incident put a halt to what could have been the most exciting final of the year and coincidentally created the most exciting final of the year, but for reasons uncharacteristic of what we’d expect. Here are the initial reactions to the Mick Fanning shark attack, a happening that would spur what’s surely been the one of the wildest years of Mr Fanning’s life. “I said shit online,” – Martin Potter.

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4. #TOURNOTES: French Freesurfing with John John and Kolohe
Ahh, the pleasures of watching Mr Florence and Brother knife a fast hollow French beachie. In this episode of #TOURNOTES John and Kolohe go wave for wave and John can’t stop screaming. Keanu Asing gets the autograph he’s been looking for after backstage madness of Mick keeping his title hopes alive in the final seconds at Hossegor. And Tom Curren explains what happens when he tries to do cutbacks like Kelly Slater.

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5. #TOURNOTES: View from a Blue Moon Premiere
Follow John around on his big day while he suffers from premiere anxiety. “I’m not stressed,” Mr Florence claims but Koa Smith says otherwise before their 3 pm pressure reducing surf session. “Well it’s already rated the best surf film of all time,” says Craig Stecyk, “but I hope it’s better than that…”

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