After his disappointing start to the year – what some are calling a slump – news broke this week that John John Florence injured his knee during a free surf following his loss at the Corona Bali Protected. He has since pulled out of the Margaret River Pro, er, Uluwatu (Pro?), which is likely a disappointment to everyone except Mikey Wright who will now sail into Round 4.
Yesterday John took to Instagram to explain the situation and addressing his so-called slump. He didn’t reveal the prognosis, though, from the MRI in the video above.
“This year has been so much fun regardless of my results,” he said. “Through some of the tough losses I’ve learned more than I have in the past couple years. That’s why I love competing — the chance to learn is always there, win or lose. I love the drive to win you get from a loss. I feel like I’m more driven to win than ever from this year. Unfortunately, I hurt my knee during a freesurf here in Bali, and I have to pull out of the next event to get back and heal up as quickly as possible. I was trying bottom turns in the yard last night to see if there is any way for me to possibly surf this event, but nothing about it felt right. Haha! I think it’s best I heal 100% before I get back in the water. When I was a little kid I watched my favorite surfers winning events and trying big airs and big maneuvers and dreamed of doing those things. I will never lose that. I’m excited for everything to come. I hope to come out of this injury smarter and more excited than I have ever been.”
Coach Ross Williams explained that after disappointing losses John John is often wont to rage surf – looking for big air sections like the one that crumpled his knee.
“I was holding my breath the minute he paddled out,” said Williams in an Instagram post. “I knew he was feeling jumpy. At one point I looked at him from the beach and gestured to take it easy! Haha. In my position it’s sketchy watching him surf like that cause I want him to be ready for the next comp, but you can’t tell someone like John to just surf safe. It’s not in his nature……..thankfully so.”
Here’s to hoping for a speedy recovery for the reigning world champ.
