Watch ‘Form’: John Florence’s Ode To Mother Pipeline

Pipeline is the most famous, spectacular, and deadliest wave on earth. It’s also John Florence’s backyard.

It’s impossible to measure the impact that growing up at Pipeline has on a human. But in John’s case, it played no small part in making him the world’s best surfer.

In his latest short film, ‘Form’, John (via his production company, Parallel Sea) has produced an 11-minute ode to the wave that made him. Through a poetic narration that anthropomorphizes Mother Pipeline, we learn about Hawaiian history — from its volcanic origins to its first inhabitants to the crew who pioneered the North Shore — and eventually, about Pipeline herself.

The film places a lot of emphasis around the Ho family, who across multiple generations, have had the longest streak at the top of Pipe’s pecking order, from Mike and Derek originally, to Mason and Coco (and Mike) today.

Then, of course, there’s the surfing. This is one of the best Pipe compilations we’ve seen, right up there with View From a Blue Moon and some of Jamie O’s old sections.

While the style and soundtrack of this film might not be for everyone, it’s a powerful and reverent look at the most important wave in surfing, ridden by the best surfers ever to do it. In other words, a must-watch.

Tune in above.