John Florence, Tahiti, Tubes, Need We Say More?

Is it too early to speculate the addition of Web Series of the Year to John’s ongoing list 2016 awards? Especially since Twelve set out to track John’s road to the title–a box which he ticked before the season’s end. The two remaining episodes will document his World Title in Portugal, his Triple Crown run and end in his backyard at the Pipe Masters. It’s gonna be hard to beat that level of documentation.

There’ve been a grip of quality series to hit pixels this year. The web series or edit is the new surf film – it’s 2016 – a heady time where long form films are not-yet-dead. 

But, is it safe to say they’re nearing their expiration date? Nah! Dane Reynolds just rocked us with his 37-minute memoir, Chapter 11, of which if you haven’t set aside the viewing time, we recommend you do so, right here. We also made a film with Dane in South Africa; we called it Stab in the Dark, not sure we’ve notified you…

As far as web series go, the Vacation Club’s Whatever Beach, brought a delightful aura of psychedelia, with just the right amount of art driven editing laced with progressive surfing. It featured Bobby Martinez, Conner and Parker Coffin, Griffin Colapinto and Eithan Osborne. It was a California affair; it was lovely!

Toby Cregan’s Real Axe is another worth revisiting. Where Creed McTaggart travels the world, drives across Australia, hits West Oz, New Zealand, Japan, Europe, Israel and more with likes of Ozzie Wright, Occy, Dave Rastovich and more. 

Mason Ho’s License to Chill was a thrill. A beautiful throwback to the old …lost films, shot by his good friend and filmmaker Rory Pringle with cameos by Tom Curren, Chris Ward, Pops Ho (Michael), Coco and of course, anxiety spurring rock antics. 

And Rip Curl’s Search series had its moments. Mason and Mick Fanning surfing the glaciers in Antartica being the apex. 

But, when it comes down to it, who’s going to outdo John? Mr Florence doesn’t want to fall into the class of pump and dump edits. Therefore, Hurley runs these high production clips at John’s request directly through their personal channel. The world’s highest profile surfer chooses quality over play counts.