John Florence Is About To Capture The Attention Of The Entire Surf World (Again)
This is why the 3x World Champ won’t be returning to the tour.
Last wek, as Laguna Beach’s South Coast Theater filled with longtime surf industry heavies like Bob Hurley, Keith Malloy, Jamie Brisick, Pat O’Connell and more, a certain 3x World Champion hosted a private screening of his new film series.
John John Florence has spent the time since his CT departure sailing around the world with his wife Lauren and son Darwin — existing in what appears to be the sort of liminal, off-grid fever dream of aspirational freedom accessible to surfers only of a very specific breed.
See: Dave Rastovich.
As is now evident, the time spent at sea was a significant reason for John’s decision not to return to the Championship Tour. And, of course, alongside his knack for enormous barrels, impossible rail engagement speeds, and self-sufficient sailing, John has a well-known passion for filmmaking.
Named after his high-performance sailing catamaran, VELA is a six part video series borne of his time spent exploring the planet’s more remote saltwater venues — and the first episode will be released on March 11th.
Yes, it’s going to hurt your feelings.
No, you’re not gonna want to miss it.
As John showcased the series in Laguna Beach this Sunday, Jamie Brisick asked him a few questions surrounding the intricacies of raising a family on a sailboat while hunting for waves.
“It’s amazing to see Darwin interacting with different cultures,” said John, onstage. “Connecting with people on remote islands and getting so excited to meet new people.”
They shared a few shots of Darwin with some kids in a tribe on one of the islands — quite impactful.
“Sometimes when we’re doing a crossing, Lauren and Darwin both get sea sick,” continued John. “It’s pretty amazing how strong Lauren is. We’re just stuck on the little boat, and there’s definitely pressure on learning how to navigate to keep my family safe.”
“He’s comfortable being uncomfortable,” says his wife Lauren, at the start of the series. “He actually likes it. It’s how he bonds with people.”
As you’d expect, the series is centered around exploration, with perfect waves as one of the many focal points — enjoyed by John alone or with brothers/deckhands Nate and Ian.
Throughout the six episodes, however, there are countless other threads to be tugged on that offer a glimpse into the truths behind life at sea, and the intricacies hidden behind the persona of Pupukea’s reluctant messiah.
Tune in to John’s YouTube this Wednesday for the first dose. Photo gallery below.
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