A Sneaky Favorite To Win The Vans Pipe Masters?

A Google search for “Ivan Florence interview” reveals slim pickings.

While his older Florence siblings have amassed hundreds of thousands of online followers and become well accustomed to the flashing red recording button on cameras and mics, Ivan has largely slid under the radar and let his ability, particularly at flexing Pipeline, speak loud and clear. 

Ivan’s not one to put himself in the spotlight, and his chat with Nathan Fletcher in The Pick Up was the most I’ve ever seen him talk on camera. Let’s not forget Ivan (briefly) had John on the ropes in the 2021 HIC Pipe Pro courtesy of a 10-point screamer that landed squarely on his big bro’s head. Big bro got him in the end.

Speaking of contests, Ivan is one of 20 Hawaiians and 40 male surfers invited to the Vans Pipe Masters, which has an event window from December 8-20. And he’s a genuine threat to win. 

Why? Because for as much time as Ivan’s spent at Pipeline (100-plus sessions a year, he says), he is just as adept in the bowl of the Banzai Skatepark. With a format that rewards barrels and airs, Ivan may see the oncoming end section as his favorite quarterpipe, and the years of flying above and falling onto concrete could finally pay off for the youngest Florence sibling.

“I think airs and turns could be excellent scores,” says Ivan, sitting comfortably in the (skate) bowl. “It depends how gnarly you want to get and how big of a section you want to attack.”

Fresh off a sailing sojourn around Fiji and getting some Pipeline practice at Cloudbreak with his brothers, Ivan takes Vans to his usual jaunts and shares the last person he wants in his heat at Pipeline, his desire to win, and what it’ll take to do well in the new format. 

If Ivan has his way, John and Nathan might never hear the end of it.