John John Florence, Ballito, Durban, South Africa

“There were some solid eight-footers coming through today,” says Hawaiian John John Florence of the wave y’see here. “That thing was a crazy double-up, I so thought it was going to let me out but it just closed down on me. It was nuts!” John John Florence may just be set to take over the world. With the impending release of Kai Neville’s new film Lost Atlas (in which Johnny-Boy has a starring role and some of the project’s best throws) and the prospect of qualifying for the dream tour (if he can manage, like, two more semis – not impossible at his skill-level), John’s got the makings of a superstar. At somewhere like Lowers, which has become this epoch’s performance proving-ground, John flares as hard as anyone else in his age bracket (and above), often harder. But the real magic of the kid is in his genetic makeup, his Hawaiian roots, the upbringing that’s de-sensitised him to thick, powerful juice and the inside of a throwing tunnel. Case-in-point: This sequence/video combo, taken during the Mr. Price Pro, Ballito, in South Africa. With photos shot by superstar photog Ryan Miller and clip shot and cut by the man behind Ginger Vision, the loveable Blake Kueny, we get solid evidence that John’s comfort in the big stuff extends far beyond Hawaii. Oh, and to give you an idea of John’s froth and attitude: Three days ago, after contest organisers had called off the event for the day due to onshore, choppy, heaving surf, the kid convinced officials to keep running and easily smashed his heat. Kai Otton, who John beat in heat he gunned the above barrel in, said of the kid: “I’ve never seen a young kid with such amazing tube-sense. He finds all the best waves and is in the right spot every time. He can turn 6’s into 8’s.” Jonathan from Blake Kueny on Vimeo.