In 2006 John Florence was 13 years old. 10 years later he’d win his first world title. Today he’s still (arguably) the best surfer in the world.
Watching this edit back, could you have seen it coming? Sure, John is shredding J-Bay alongside his Mom, Alex and his brothers Nathan and Ivan. But at 13 John wasn’t otherworldly good yet. He wasn’t sticking huge airs, and he was still developing the strength and power for his patented frontside wrap.
Florence was definitely a late bloomer. A reminder that not every teen phenom pans out, and also to never overlook a surfers potential just because they aren’t dominating as an early teen.
“John John Florence, Nathan Florence, Ivan Florence and Alex Florence (aka Mom John) enjoying an 18-day adventure on the rugged South African Coast,” writes Nalu TV in the description alongside this throwback film. “In June 2006, the Florence family took their first trip to Jeffreys Bay with Filmmaker Sonny Miller, Writer/Photographer/Surfer Jamie Brisick and Cinematographer Derek Hoffmann. The trip was fun, and the surfing was a telling glimpse of the greatness that would be coming from this classic surfing family. The Florence family love South Africa so much that they have made it an annual tradition.”
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