It's been nearly three months since John John Florence went under the knife for his ACL following the unfortunate injury that took him out of the Australian leg of the Tour. He was destined for a great season after finally bringing home his long-awaited and well-deserved Pipe Masters presented victory to kick off the 2021 season.
He's now back in the water in Southern California and looking tack-sharp. In his latest Instgram post, he can be seen putting pressure on both knees, drawing out his turns and throwing straight airs -- all with a huge smile. He may be holding back a little, but just wait until he pulls on a jersey. After all, John's never been one to show his cards.
Everything was thrown into question for Florence following this injury at Margaret River this season. Whether or not he'd join his longtime friend Kolohe Andino in Chiba this July loomed over him. Then there was the question of whether he'd be able to return to the CT and earn a spot in the Rip Curl WSL Finals.
In tempered Florence fashion, he took it day by day, listened to his doctor and physical therapist, and now he's ready to get to work. When he's healthy and inspired, he can be unstoppable. Especially in waves that offer some open-ocean power.
Up next on the CT schedule, the Tour returns to the mystical sand-bottom point of Barra de la Cruz for the Corona Open Mexico presented by Quiksilver. Then it's off to Tahiti, where Florence has averaged a 5th place result in the six events since the start of his career. He's never won there, but he is one of the best backhand tube riders in the world, and this could be his time. There has been no official word from Florence's camp about his plans for the remainder of the CT season at this time.
John John Florence celebrating his first Pipe Masters victory after defeating Gabriel Medina in the Final. - WSL
Nine Weeks After Knee Surgery, Florence Shows The World What He's Got
Bryan Benattou
It's been nearly three months since John John Florence went under the knife for his ACL following the unfortunate injury that took him out of the Australian leg of the Tour. He was destined for a great season after finally bringing home his long-awaited and well-deserved Pipe Masters presented victory to kick off the 2021 season.
He's now back in the water in Southern California and looking tack-sharp. In his latest Instgram post, he can be seen putting pressure on both knees, drawing out his turns and throwing straight airs -- all with a huge smile. He may be holding back a little, but just wait until he pulls on a jersey. After all, John's never been one to show his cards.
Everything was thrown into question for Florence following this injury at Margaret River this season. Whether or not he'd join his longtime friend Kolohe Andino in Chiba this July loomed over him. Then there was the question of whether he'd be able to return to the CT and earn a spot in the Rip Curl WSL Finals.
In tempered Florence fashion, he took it day by day, listened to his doctor and physical therapist, and now he's ready to get to work. When he's healthy and inspired, he can be unstoppable. Especially in waves that offer some open-ocean power.
Up next on the CT schedule, the Tour returns to the mystical sand-bottom point of Barra de la Cruz for the Corona Open Mexico presented by Quiksilver. Then it's off to Tahiti, where Florence has averaged a 5th place result in the six events since the start of his career. He's never won there, but he is one of the best backhand tube riders in the world, and this could be his time. There has been no official word from Florence's camp about his plans for the remainder of the CT season at this time.
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