John Florence: “Kolohe Used To Smoke Me All The Time!”

The world can’t get enough double J. Why? Because he’s the champ, and everyone’s been waiting for the young gent to take that title for years… and he’s only 24. Ah, it stings a bit that someone could accomplish what John has the first quarter of his life – assuming he’ll live to be 100. Because if Kelly Slater can stay on tour at 44, then why can’t John live to be 100? He might even stay on tour until he’s 50…

So here’s how it went down yesterday: John won the world title by watching Conner Coffin beat Jordy Smith in the semis. He was showered with beer, drank some, raised the Hawaiian flag then paddled out for his final heat and went nuts against Mr Coffin. By 9:30 am the event was over and the drinking began. John had lunch, then surfed thumping beach break for two plus hours before going to dinner to have the title handed off to him by Adriano de Souza. And going into his home event at Pipe in December, he’ll enjoy the victory lap. 

So, here’s the newest instalment of #Tournotes.