John Florence, Newport, CA

John Florence, pictured here, was claiming this was the best Newport ever. A big call, especially from a Hawaiian so used to perfection. “He just loves small, draining waves,” says photog Blake Kueny, who shot this. “He said it was really similar to his favourite little wave out in front of his house in Hawaii.” And, like most good surfers, John sees things in the water that no one else does. “I thought the waves looked walled and shitty,” continues Blake. “And that we weren’t gonna get much when we first rocked up. But, JJ made me eat my words. His first wave was, like, an eight-second barrel. It’s crazy how fucking good he is in the barrel, whether it’s pipe or draining Newps.” Ain’t that the truth.