Watch: John John at Waimea

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
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I'm assuming this was shot recently. I don't recall any recent swells being this big, however John John is riding the same board he took to the recent Eddie ceremony.

At any rate, it's great surfing at a wave that's these days overlooked in favour of other spots.

Also worth noting that this is two videos in a month I've seen big wave surfers switchfooting at size: first Kai Lenny at Jaws, now JJF at Waimea.

Comments

nickdid's picture
nickdid's picture
nickdid Friday, 6 Jan 2023 at 1:24pm

The free fall at approx 5min mark is nuts

sean killen's picture
sean killen's picture
sean killen Friday, 6 Jan 2023 at 3:03pm

Some of them take offs are unbelievable !!!!

frog's picture
frog's picture
frog Friday, 6 Jan 2023 at 3:45pm

Some of the best, latest big wave takeoffs i have seen. Worth a watch or two.

manic- mat -rider's picture
manic- mat -rider's picture
manic- mat -rider Friday, 6 Jan 2023 at 6:39pm

First time for Jack Robinson to surf Wai mea. JJF was frothing to surf it .Wonder how many others of the WSL rank feel the same.? Time to put a big wave contest on their schedule I reckon.

crg's picture
crg's picture
crg Friday, 6 Jan 2023 at 11:45pm

I imagine the ceiling on big wave paddling will change considerably when JJF retires from the Woz and focusses on big waves...

freeride76's picture
freeride76's picture
freeride76 Saturday, 7 Jan 2023 at 6:46am

Watch his positioning on every single wave he catches.
flawless.

Island Bay's picture
Island Bay's picture
Island Bay Saturday, 7 Jan 2023 at 7:16am

He knows his shit, aye.

billie's picture
billie's picture
billie Sunday, 8 Jan 2023 at 8:16pm

So true mate

bluediamond's picture
bluediamond's picture
bluediamond Sunday, 8 Jan 2023 at 8:50pm

Well spotted FR. I thought the same. And his paddle angle. He paddles into the wave at an angle that almost looks like he's bodysurfing down the face and then at the very last second as he's properly plummetting down the face, he throws his board under him. This is some of the best footage i've ever seen of big wave surfing. John John on another level to the rest of the surfing universe. Anyone worked out which swell it was yet?? Also don't recall hearing of any huge Waimea swells over in the islands this year. Surprised this footage has only just surfaced considering how much of a leap in big wave surfing he has taken here. Cheers for the clip SN.

lives in hope's picture
lives in hope's picture
lives in hope Monday, 9 Jan 2023 at 8:26pm

heard on a pod he released some video content from last season that is in a new movie on his channel or behind a paywall, could be from that. hes definately head and shoulders above the rest

lives in hope's picture
lives in hope's picture
lives in hope Monday, 9 Jan 2023 at 8:42pm

made a phone call, confirmed, last seasons footage

udo's picture
udo's picture
udo Saturday, 7 Jan 2023 at 7:49am

Who is the Guy @ 2:50

FriarTuck's picture
FriarTuck's picture
FriarTuck Saturday, 7 Jan 2023 at 8:49am

not you lol

udo's picture
udo's picture
udo Saturday, 7 Jan 2023 at 9:49am
Robwilliams's picture
Robwilliams's picture
Robwilliams Saturday, 7 Jan 2023 at 10:44am

Vest, tick
board, tick
going no matter what, even if out on the shoulder and stuffing someone, tick
Rippin'.

We are going to see more carnage in the future, more death until crew return to regulating stupidity, But maybe he called party, or didn't look inside? Board to the head is like a piece of timber, vest wont do shit for a head knock. At least he got the shot. All fun, Got no problem with crew regulating this behaviour, could save a life or improve the lineups . John john charging as usual. Boards look mint.

Robwilliams's picture
Robwilliams's picture
Robwilliams Saturday, 7 Jan 2023 at 11:05am

Fully get that Waimea waves are often shared but we are seeing a proliferation of riders surfing out of their depth putting other's at risk in many waves of consequence regardless of vests or helmets. This has become a regular occurrence in surfing. Nothing wrong with pushing ones own limits but when it jeopardises the safety of others or lineups sometimes it should be evaluated with reality. Again the idea of the commodity of limited resources present itself amongst the chaos of man (woman) and the problems we create chasing pleasure and progress. Sometimes at our own or others expense despite the glaring obvious of what is playing out.

mattlock's picture
mattlock's picture
mattlock Sunday, 8 Jan 2023 at 7:17pm

Tragety of the commons.

juegasiempre's picture
juegasiempre's picture
juegasiempre Monday, 9 Jan 2023 at 4:21am

There's many big waves spots all around the world that are basically empty. If you choose to paddle out into a circus, then that's on you. Same reason I didn't surf the superbank that often when I lived on the gold coast.

Robwilliams's picture
Robwilliams's picture
Robwilliams Monday, 9 Jan 2023 at 9:02am

Totally agree the risk has always been somewhat on the individual, but when the circus comes or is brought to town with the disfunction it sometimes operates under then their will be incident's of unnecessary impact that could possibly have been avoided had a little prior thought been taken for another or ones self. As matt lock said tragedy of the commons, The circus will come as it always does, Accidents will continue, let it rain. We have never tried to do it better whilst we sacrifice ourselves and others. This is livin' or is it? Pipe at size is a A grade wave surfed by Hawaii's best and the worlds best, has been for a long time and still they paddle out hoping, waiting for a shot at glory whilst putting themselves in harms way be it themselves or others, Gotta feel for those who have to surf amongst the flotsam and navigate not only the threat of the wave but the threat of unrealistic expectation or over compensation of ability. Allot of world class waves have become dysfunctional hence why we are seeing pros and their followers seek alternatives to their once common stomping grounds they can no longer deal with. Hawaii is a classic example. There are many others. By all means paddle out, but think before you choose to act, local to worldwide. Big or small, crowded or empty. pro to beginner. And yes, sometimes you gotta accept a circus never leaves town. Just don't take it on the road.

memlasurf's picture
memlasurf's picture
memlasurf Monday, 9 Jan 2023 at 10:44am

This goes for waves in general Bali is the worst. Got people from places like the Czech republic and the Nertherlands dropping in when even at 4-5' you can get hurt they just don't seem to get the consequences or any etiquette. There is no path to learning in Euro just go for it.

Robwilliams's picture
Robwilliams's picture
Robwilliams Monday, 9 Jan 2023 at 11:32am

Rape and pillage, demolish and destroy, repeating theme of man.
You don't need etiquette when all you look out for is yourself and are unable to look at the consequences for others. Entitlement is learned just as is the reinforcement or prevention of crap behaviour both in and out of the surf. The more people that do or call out the right thing the more function a line up will hold.

Money talks but it ain't always pretty. Hanz and his entourage are coming to a beach near you, regardless of generations of culture or common codes of conduct. Entitlement is the new class war or norm in and out of the surf regardless of what or where you surf, or live. again tragedy of the commons. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragedy_of_the_commons. In some situations cognitive dissonance is not and never will be a just excuse. But hey what can you do?

Mother's don't let your sons or daughters grow up to be cowboys.

frog's picture
frog's picture
frog Saturday, 7 Jan 2023 at 11:28am

At 4.20 it is John John's switchfoot in case you missed it - just mucking around at 20 ft

Roadkill's picture
Roadkill's picture
Roadkill Sunday, 8 Jan 2023 at 10:14am

That 4.57 drop was magic.

JJ gets cupping…As stupid as any alternative medicine scam can be.

AndyM's picture
AndyM's picture
AndyM Sunday, 8 Jan 2023 at 2:26pm

Cupping might be good when you’re with a lady friend but as far as a “wellness treatment” goes, not so much.

memlasurf's picture
memlasurf's picture
memlasurf Monday, 9 Jan 2023 at 10:45am

Yeah only good for welts.

walkar's picture
walkar's picture
walkar Sunday, 8 Jan 2023 at 1:42pm

2:55 mark would be a perfect 100 in the Eddie, closes out the bay ... same for the drop at the end.

Reform's picture
Reform's picture
Reform Sunday, 8 Jan 2023 at 9:41pm

Reminds me of that famous picture of Eddie, at 2.58. Stable, so confident, braced stance, trimming, almost hugging the wave face on the steepest and most critical part of that huge wave. JJ's so in tune!! he exclaims "Its so SICK out there!' ..such a great example of living in the moment!

udo's picture
udo's picture
udo Sunday, 8 Jan 2023 at 6:47pm

An Old pic of Flea.... nice Line

burleigh's picture
burleigh's picture
burleigh Sunday, 8 Jan 2023 at 7:08pm

I would pay to watch Toledo paddle out and catch one.......

billie's picture
billie's picture
billie Sunday, 8 Jan 2023 at 8:21pm

I don't why he doesn't?!?! He obviously has the time, skill, means and point to prove. Just go spend three seasons in Hawaii and have the whole surfing world take a bow for you.

manic- mat -rider's picture
manic- mat -rider's picture
manic- mat -rider Sunday, 8 Jan 2023 at 9:03pm

Here he is riding small to medium Waimea
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=270449230330181

memlasurf's picture
memlasurf's picture
memlasurf Monday, 9 Jan 2023 at 10:50am

Or any Brazilian in the top ten.

Kham's picture
Kham's picture
Kham Monday, 9 Jan 2023 at 10:04am

His paddle into the Black Monster around 2:55 when most logical people are scrambling to get over it is insane. 1 wave can make a legend.
His wave sense, understanding of a tricky lineup and willingness to commit sets him apart. Makes most people's go out in (what we consider) large surf pale in comparison.