John John Florence dominated the field at the Haleiwa Challenger. Photo: WSL
John John Florence put on a performance for the books at Haleiwa. It was good enough to do two things: win the whole thing and snag a perfect 10 in the final. This is Florence’s second win at Haleiwa, and it’s an indicator that his knee, which was injured last year, is back in fine shape.
“It’s so much fun being here, competing and being back in it again,” Florence said. “Going through the injuries the last couple years, it just feels good to be here.”
Florence has been working with Ross Williams for a while now, and it appears that it’s a good partnership, to say the least. The perfect 10 had everything one could ask for in a perfect 10: huge turns, a few casual airs, and a barrel for good measure. “It was like a dream run at a skatepark,” said Joe Turpel.
“I just want to say thanks to my wife, my family and everyone who’s been there supporting me,” Florence continued. “Ross Williams, we’ve been working a lot. My whole team behind me. It’s been huge going through these last couple of years and to be here winning again is awesome.”
The event also solidified the qualifiers for the 2022 Championship Tour, which starts off in January at the Billabong Pro Pipeline. Some of them are brand new to the tour, while a handful have been there before.
The additions to the 2022 Tour are Ezekiel Lau, Jake Marshall, Imaikalani deVaul, Nat Young, Connor O’Leary, Liam O’Brien, Callum Robson, Lucca Mesinas, Joao Chianca, Jackson Baker, Carlos Munoz, and Samuel Pupo.
Samuel Pupo, who is from Brazil and the brother of Miguel Pupo, made it all the way to the final. He faced off against an incredibly stacked heat: John John Florence, Jack Robinson, and Kanoa Igarashi.
“It’s been such a long journey,” Pupo said. “I’ve been competing on the QS since I was 15. It just doesn’t feel real … to be on tour with my best friend [Chianca] and my brother.”
Watch the Women’s Finals Day on Worldsurfleague.com.
