Yes, Mikey February Once Beat John Florence At Pipeline

In 2014, Mikey February was in heat No. 9 of the Volcom Pipe Pro with Parker Coffin, Evan Geiselman and John Florence. In 8-12 foot (non-Hawaiian) faces and northeast trades, Mikey finished third, ahead of fourth-place John, already a three-time event winner. (Evan took the win in his first heat at Pipe). 

“But I lost, so it doesn’t really count,” Mikey says with a laugh. 

While the bragging rights are justifiable, Mikey is quick to admit that Pipeline isn’t exactly his comfort zone. The dangerous a-frame is a different world from the cold righthand points and beachies he was raised on. 

But the unexpected result eight years ago highlights something intriguing about competitive surfing — especially in a thunderdome like Pipeline. If you find yourself on the wave of the day, you can win the heat. It doesn’t matter who is watching you take off. And not only is Mikey one of 40 male competitors vying for those prestigious bragging rights at Vans Pipe Masters (the waiting period is from December 8-20), they’re also jockeying for $100K.

While Mikey’s eyes are on the prize, he sees the no-priority rule as a way to get the reps he normally couldn’t, rather than wait out the back. He’s also well accustomed to a leaderboard format both as a judge and competitor at Vans Stab High presented by Monster Energy.

Hit play above to learn why questions about style are annoying, how his family’s surname came about, and why Mikey February won’t be drinking caffeine on the morning of the Vans Pipe Masters.