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Photos: John John Florence Sneaks A Hurricane Swell Session At Lowers

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  • Photos: John John Florence Sneaks A Hurricane Swell Session At Lowers
John John Florence creates some space between himself and the pack at Trestles.

Brent Flaaten

The WSL Finals are less than a month away and was just a John John Florence sighting at Lowers. No coincidence, it happened to correspond perfectly with the best tropical swell of the summer. Fresh off his Olympic showing in Tahiti, Florence was in Southern California to help celebrate the accomplishments of his brother, Nathan, who was honored as Waterperson of the Year at the SIMA Waterman’s Ball up in Huntington Beach over the weekend. While in town, the current world number one figured he’d squeeze in a few laps at the most high-performance summertime break in California.

Of course, like any session at Lowers, he wasn’t alone. Among the crowd there was no shortage of A-list surf talent bobbing around the lineup with Florence, including Championship Tour grinders Matty McGillivray and Sammy Pupo, as well as local hero Kolohe Andino. Needless to say, with the surf hovering in the six-foot range and the conditions nice and lean, the performance level in the water was through the roof. 

And on the subject of the WSL Finals, Florence’s last world title came in 2017. As noted above, he’s currently ranked number one in the world. He’s never been in contention for a title since the WSL switched to their one-day, winner-take-all finals format. And while Florence has spent ample time competing at the cobblestone point over the years, he’s never pulled the jersey on there with that kind of pressure. Logic would dictate that this quick strike at Lowers was at least a chance to get in few laps and reacclimate with the wave. Given the crowd and prying eyes at Trestles, uninterrupted “training” sessions aren’t really a thing, but judging by a few of these shots from lensman Brent Flaaten, Florence will be ready to go when it’s game time. 

The unmistakable style of a John John Florence wrapping cutback on full display at Lower Trestles. Note the guy on the inside getting ready to paddle out, sometimes you just have to stand and watch the master at work.

Brent Flaaten

Where most surfers pump down the line and punt an air reverse on the inside section at Lowers, Florence throws down a layback jam with power and authority. 

Brent Flaaten

If you didn’t see Florence at Lowers was he even there? He’d probably say no. 

Brent Flaaten

Native son Kolohe Andino with room to move on the open face. Splitting time between the swell at home and the U.S. Open up in Huntington Beach, Andino made it all work and even came away with a quarterfinal appearance at the Open, his best finish of the year so far.

Brent Flaaten

Matt McGillivray lurking in the bushes at Lowers. 

Brent Flaaten

McGillivray with a blow tail on a clean wall at Lowers. 

Brent Flaaten

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