John John Florence Surfs Secret, Perfect Wave Alone (Video)

Originally posted on SURFER | By Dashel Pierson | Last updated Sep 11, 2025 6:08 PM ET

In lieu of witnessing John John Florence on the Championship Tour this season, the 3x world champion has provided glimpses into his life on a boat, as he explores new waves in the South Pacific, accompanied by his young son Darwin and wife Lauryn.

Every now and then, like a little gift, JJF drops a clip on social media from some far-flung wave, with him surfing all alone, in perfect, tropical conditions.

And his latest might just be his biggest score yet. A wave resembling Fiji’s crown jewel, Cloudbreak, off Tavarua Island. Ironic, somewhat, as that’s where the WSL Finals Day recently went down, and JJF was absent. Although perhaps, he was not so distant after all. Check out the clip below, as the Hawaiian knifes overhead tubes solo.

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“It’s a special feeling for me to be exploring different places and then finding a corner reef with a wave like this,” JJF captioned the clip. “Not a soul around, the water as blue as it gets, getting barreled all day. Today was a good day.”

Of course, John doesn’t give any hint as to where the wave is actually located. But it does bear a resemblance to the lefthand reefbreak tubes of Cloudbreak. Maybe not as long and drawn out as the famed reef off Tavarua; more of a chip shot; yet still, similarities.

John explained, without giving too much away:

“This wave had so many faces to it. It has this really cool chip shot in from behind the peak into a perfect bowl bending back at you. And I think it could handle a bit more swell! It’s a small kink in the reef where you wouldn’t expect a wave to be when you look at charts. Makes me realize how many waves are hiding, you just have to be there on the right day.”

As many chimed in via the comments, this wave, this path that John John has chosen for this season – scoring waves with his family, instead of chasing points on the CT grind – fellow Hawaiian waterman, Mark Healey, commended:

“What it’s all about!”

This article first appeared on SURFER and was syndicated with permission.

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