John John Florence has been a few things in his surfing career. First, he was the grom who might. Then, he was the best surfer in the world who couldn’t win a world title. After that, he became the best surfer in the world with a world title. And with his performance at Margaret River, he’s become something else entirely: untouchable.
Florence surfed the entire event like no one else was in it. No one else came close to his performance–not Kelly, not Owen, not Mick, not Gabriel, not Kolohe. John John Florence was miles ahead of the pack, and he sprinted through the finish line with plenty of gas left in the tank.
Margaret River isn’t generally the most exciting event to watch. Main Break, while an amazing wave for the everyday surfer, isn’t conducive to exciting surfing… unless you’re watching JJF. It was wonky, warbly, and weird, but the world champion surfed it with a certain aplomb that no one else possesses.
With Ross Williams in his coaching corner, Florence has made his intentions to stay on top clear, although he’s doing it in characteristically quiet fashion. Now, with his most recent win, he’s back in the yellow jersey, and if he continues performing the way he just did, there isn’t anyone on tour that can touch him.
