John John Florence out for the season

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
Swellnet Dispatch

After re-injuring his knee in the Quarter-finals of the Oi Rio Pro, John John Florence has pulled out of J'Bay and "likely the rest of the CT season."

The news was posted on JJF's Instagram account. The full quote here: 

"This has been a really fun year in competition and outside of the jersey. Unfortunately, in Brazil I ruptured my ACL. I'll be pulling out of J-Bay and likely the rest of the CT season. I'm opting for surgery so I can be 100% next year. I'm excited for this new adventure and everything I will learn along the way. Thanks for all of the support!"

This is how John described the wave that caused the injury:

 “I had a ton of speed on my last wave and I was going to do a turn and it was kind of breaking already and so I just tried to do a fly away, but the wave broke on my back leg and buckled the same knee I injured last year."

“It just got tweaked and I was in a little bit of pain. In my head I just felt like I should leave the water and go rest it and try to make sure it’s all good. I’m going to get it looked at and see how it feels tomorrow.”

JJF is currently leading the rankings with a near-5,000 point lead over Kolohe Andino in second place. It's the first time a surfer has pulled out of the CT while leading, effectively eliminating themselves from the title race.

Comments

indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming Tuesday, 2 Jul 2019 at 3:40pm

Man that sucks.

I guess it makes it a bit more interesting though its a very different mix in the current top 5.

Im now rooting for Filipe.

wallpaper's picture
wallpaper's picture
wallpaper Tuesday, 2 Jul 2019 at 4:44pm

you mean routing

ps. he is a nice boowee though ;)

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Tuesday, 2 Jul 2019 at 3:46pm

None of the new top five have won a title before, and realistically it's only those guys who could win. Gonna be an entertaining title chase, and yeah, go Fili.

Pops's picture
Pops's picture
Pops Wednesday, 3 Jul 2019 at 9:30am

Medina can't catch up even with a late charge?

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Wednesday, 3 Jul 2019 at 9:54am

Theoretically yes, but the six surfers ahead of him would all have to stumble badly.

Last year Gabs was coming 7th after the fifth contest - exactly the same position as this time last year - however, the pack was tighter in 2018. Jules was leading on 27,215 and Gabs was in 7th on 20,940, for a 6,275 spread.

This year it's Kolohe Andino leading on 27,760 and Gabs in 7th on 16,895, for 10,865.

Maybe not much, but remember Gabs won three events in the second half last year and semied in the others. Singularly dominated in a display of surfing that was rare even for him, and he'd have to do even better than that.

If he stumbles even once - and by that I mean not making a quarters - he's gone.

Pops's picture
Pops's picture
Pops Wednesday, 3 Jul 2019 at 10:07am

https://i.imgur.com/ex0rqf4.jpg

Does seem unlikely when you put it like that... but there is something to say for knowing how to win, and the sheer mongrel he seems to have.

DeXtrus's picture
DeXtrus's picture
DeXtrus Wednesday, 3 Jul 2019 at 12:16pm

Filipe has firmed up as bookies fav @ $2.75
Kelly now in 6th spot (counting JJF out) and paying $17 - and his pet events to come.
Imagine ole Baldy winning one more title!

lucky-al's picture
lucky-al's picture
lucky-al Tuesday, 2 Jul 2019 at 4:42pm

"excited for this new adventure and everything i will learn along the way" whaaat?

zoddle's picture
zoddle's picture
zoddle Tuesday, 2 Jul 2019 at 9:33pm

that some rude corp speak right there

JackStance's picture
JackStance's picture
JackStance Tuesday, 2 Jul 2019 at 10:26pm

perhaps he's more into process and doesn't give a shit about competition results.

who are his sponsors?

goofyfoot's picture
goofyfoot's picture
goofyfoot Tuesday, 2 Jul 2019 at 5:00pm

Ah man that sux. He’s the only reason I watch the contests these days

Bnkref's picture
Bnkref's picture
Bnkref Tuesday, 2 Jul 2019 at 5:31pm

Bugger. He's been in such good form and entertaining to watch. Seems to be more relaxed this year and he's come out of his shell.

Whoever ends up winning will have an asterix next to their name with JJF bowing out.

DeXtrus's picture
DeXtrus's picture
DeXtrus Wednesday, 3 Jul 2019 at 12:16pm

exactly what i thought

lucky-al's picture
lucky-al's picture
lucky-al Tuesday, 2 Jul 2019 at 5:33pm

what if poor john john ends up with an asterisk next to his name forever!

Terminal's picture
Terminal's picture
Terminal Tuesday, 2 Jul 2019 at 6:07pm

That would be unfortunate, as he is in my opinion the only surfer who holds a candle to Slater in terms of flow x style x power x technical ability, some would argue he surpasses him. I think if he hasn't already, splitting hairs at present, it's inevitable he will (body permitting).

Smart move with the withdrawal, it's just a trophy, there's plenty more of them, but you only get one body and once it's clapped out, that's it.

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Tuesday, 2 Jul 2019 at 5:41pm

Every day is a lesson in self-improvement, Al.

lucky-al's picture
lucky-al's picture
lucky-al Tuesday, 2 Jul 2019 at 6:05pm

next thing you know john john's house will be demolished to make way for a hyperspace bypass and he'll have to spend the rest of his life in his dressing gown!

belly's picture
belly's picture
belly Tuesday, 2 Jul 2019 at 6:07pm

Go Jordy!!

JackStance's picture
JackStance's picture
JackStance Tuesday, 2 Jul 2019 at 10:28pm

No Jordy!!

you can imagine the internal fist pump jordy did when he got wind of this.

belly's picture
belly's picture
belly Wednesday, 3 Jul 2019 at 7:23am

Since when did Jordy do internal fist pumps :-)

memlasurf's picture
memlasurf's picture
memlasurf Wednesday, 3 Jul 2019 at 2:18pm

Yeah I have been on the Jordy bandwagon for a while. 4th and very consistent however he never seems to go well after J Bay. He is lean and hungry this year so fingers crossed as I love the way he surfs.

Blowin's picture
Blowin's picture
Blowin Tuesday, 2 Jul 2019 at 6:30pm

Kelly Slater - 47 years of age - is now the 6th highest ranked surfer in the world and could very well be going to the Olympic Games.

And he would be Forty Fucking Eight years old by the time they come around. Stuff the world title * , Kelly is who I’m cheering for ......Kelly , Kelly , Kelly for Gold !!!!

That’s how you bookend a career .

Tell me he doesn’t have a JJF voodoo doll in his travel bag.

*Jordy for the title. Not sure why I’m saying this , never had any real love for him before . But if it feels good ....do it. Go Jordy !

Solitude's picture
Solitude's picture
Solitude Tuesday, 2 Jul 2019 at 8:34pm

There was no choice. Although athletes can return to sport from a full ACL rupture without surgery in some cases, it’s months not weeks. The kinds of turns John John would need to win heats would be pretty tough with that level of knee instability

memlasurf's picture
memlasurf's picture
memlasurf Wednesday, 3 Jul 2019 at 2:20pm

Tell me about it I had one done when I was 23 from a ski which didn't release. Much easier operation these days as they are a dime a dozen in yank parlance with every second AFL player having one if not multiple.

Billyw's picture
Billyw's picture
Billyw Tuesday, 2 Jul 2019 at 9:49pm

Brazzo WC confirmed if this is true. and just a heads up, your Captcha tool is the worst on the internet

velocityjohnno's picture
velocityjohnno's picture
velocityjohnno Friday, 5 Jul 2019 at 6:54pm

By the time we fully train the AI via captcha, no crosswalk, traffic light, shop front, car or bike will be safe from the Robot onslaught.

JackStance's picture
JackStance's picture
JackStance Tuesday, 2 Jul 2019 at 10:34pm

I want Medina to win: he's the only one who's taken the initiative to set up a foundation for kids who have been dealt a really shit hand in life.
The mark of a true champ.
How many past or future world champs can you see doing that?
Occy? Parko? Jordy? Brother?
To think I found him repulsive for years - speaks more about myself at that time than it does he.

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Wednesday, 3 Jul 2019 at 2:32am

JJF has a shot at 3rd world title but will worsen injury to miss out on Olympics.
Say he withdraws,recovers & still makes Top 10 for US Olympic Team.
Then JJF would be in top shape as firm favourite for 1st Surfing Gold Medal.

tbb again reminds that Olympics are toying with this years WSL Rankings.
Everyone & everything would be backing JJF to go for Gold.
Put it to the vote ...1st Surfing Hero Gold Medal or Dump 3rd WSL Title or both.

tbb is saluting national hero USA & Hawaiian Surfers climbing the charts.(Go for Gold)
Should JJF slide outta the Top 10 then he's still fighting fit for Top 4 - ISA showdown.
Be fairer if a US Olympic Team Player gets a nipple rash & surrenders his spot to JJF.
Shades of Oz Olympic swimming..."Craig! The Stop sign!" (Now don't slip up Thorpie!)

Rumour: Tomic & Kyrgios boycott Olympics to pimp Oz Surfers a spot on the Team.

Spuddups's picture
Spuddups's picture
Spuddups Wednesday, 3 Jul 2019 at 5:09am

Be nice if Jordy won I reckon.

belly's picture
belly's picture
belly Wednesday, 3 Jul 2019 at 7:30am

Wednesday morning and no article on the WSL app, is this fake news? Is their media team asleep? Or are they still trying to work out a spin?

Surfalot67's picture
Surfalot67's picture
Surfalot67 Wednesday, 3 Jul 2019 at 9:13am

Go Jordy. Fil will probs win, but as much as he rips, it doesn't feel right to have a champ who couldn't win at Pipe or Chopes. Or The Box.

pilgrimfox's picture
pilgrimfox's picture
pilgrimfox Wednesday, 3 Jul 2019 at 9:58am

John John will get another 1590points added for being injured for the next 6 events so by years end he could potentially still be ranked higher than all of the Australians on the mens tour.

barrytheblade's picture
barrytheblade's picture
barrytheblade Wednesday, 3 Jul 2019 at 10:45am

JW would be kicking himself for a shitty start to the year

memlasurf's picture
memlasurf's picture
memlasurf Wednesday, 3 Jul 2019 at 2:30pm

Maybe last gasp for Jordy and I think Jaydub has missed the boat on any WC aspirations. Both are getting on and there is a hungry pack behind. Both could end up like Taj which is a shame. We could end up with a lot of zipper, flippers from Brasil if airs are the way the WSL want to go. Flippy is a good rail surfer he is just so light that the sprays are small and arcs tighter than the larger gents. Great surfer but just don't like watching him for me it is like comparing SRV to a metal head guitarist: The former has some space and picks his hits whilst the latter just runs non stop.

B.B.Blitz's picture
B.B.Blitz's picture
B.B.Blitz Wednesday, 3 Jul 2019 at 8:53pm

Classic line re SRV!Agree Jay Dubya lost the fire and passion, reckon Kelly is the smokey and happy to have backed him at $41 earlier this year.....reckon this has been the shittest WSL year so far.

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Wednesday, 3 Jul 2019 at 3:16pm

WSL sick note milks Olympic Payola in Disney World Surf League Top 10.
Protest! "It's so unfair how they make us surf...Why can't we just play a game instead?"

tbb nominates sly 'pilgrimfox' for head coach of Oz Olympic surf team...
{Dawn Patrol NEWS} (Aussie surf team quarantined in Nipple Rash contagion scare!)

Mort's picture
Mort's picture
Mort Wednesday, 3 Jul 2019 at 8:58pm

You could write shit.

Mort's picture
Mort's picture
Mort Wednesday, 3 Jul 2019 at 9:00pm

Or you could buy a building were people could write shit.

Mort's picture
Mort's picture
Mort Wednesday, 3 Jul 2019 at 9:03pm

I remember in a chip shop across from Rip Curl at Bells Beach. There was this writers call. Looking for somewhere quiet, I can write. I thought it was so humorous.

mibs-oner's picture
mibs-oner's picture
mibs-oner Wednesday, 3 Jul 2019 at 9:03pm

On the bright side does this mean we get Ross back in the commentary booth?

ddrew's picture
ddrew's picture
ddrew Friday, 5 Jul 2019 at 5:56pm

Great point. Easily the best commentator.

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Thursday, 4 Jul 2019 at 11:36am

Ok! tbb had better stick to the rails then...(Mom's Apple Pie version!)

WSL advanced Kelly with an injury wild card to complete swansong year.
Kelly himself ruled out Olympic Quest & 2020 WSL year.
Kelly's fine in Top 10 but trails Top 2 (US/Hawaii) Olympic Qualifiers.

Kelly did add that if somehow he Qualifies for Olympics he'll stay on.
Kelly has openly admits he's a gold digger & WSL...a 2nd rate ramp?
So how could Kelly possibly Qualify for Olympics?

Should JJF pull out of WSL then he also pulls out of 2019 ISA (US team) ...
Limps away & tears up {Gold Wonka Ticket} Kelly swoops & tapes it back together.
As said JJF could bag enough sick points to finish 2nd top US surfer in WSL Top 10.
Kelly scores Top 4 USA in ISA & also qualifies.(Nice Teamwork < > doubles chances)

[NEWS] Media have already ruled out JJF for USA Olympic Team but not so Kelly?
https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2019/07/02/john-john-florence-surfing-kel...

(Not so fast!) JJF can return to Kelly's Surf School for his Masters Degree.
http://wavepoolmag.com/john-john-florence-does-physical-therapy-at-kelly...
The new improved JJF gets a bonus chance to qualify Top 4 USA at 2020 ISA

Everyone's dream comes true as Sheriff & Deputy saddle up WSL"Aloha Team USA".

Elephant in the room! (Kolohe Andino #2) Main rival JJF is gone now fav to lead Tour.
Shock! "#1 2019 WSL surfer Kolohe Andino fails to make the Olympic Team?"
Plan 1)Does he take one for the team & get injured or gear down his WSL title bid?
Plan 2)Vengeful Surfer X claims WSL prize & Salutes Olympians for the warm up lap.

Here's hoping Groms get what they paid for...wiping mud from the Grown Ups faces.

If you haven't noticed by now, the Olympics have corrupted Professional Surfing!
WSL must be kept separate from Olympic Surfing...Oops! Too late!

tbb swears he never went overboard nor got wet...sorry if tbb unsettled the crew!

seen's picture
seen's picture
seen Friday, 5 Jul 2019 at 9:42am

I agree, TBB. olympic surfing should be like olympic boxing, the crown for the amateurs.

gcuts's picture
gcuts's picture
gcuts Thursday, 4 Jul 2019 at 6:32pm

And he's had the surgery already?

gcuts's picture
gcuts's picture
gcuts Thursday, 4 Jul 2019 at 6:34pm

So, hang on a sec, who is Andino sponsored by?

And.

How is the US Olympic team to be decided?

Oh, yeah, OK then ... this all makes sense now.

derra83's picture
derra83's picture
derra83 Thursday, 4 Jul 2019 at 6:48pm

I dip my tin foil hat to your level of paranoia.

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Thursday, 4 Jul 2019 at 6:58pm

tbb only gave crew a small glimpse of just one Olympic nation...so not to alarm you!
Team USA (Men Cont...)

Feb 2018 WSL / USA Surfer Kanoa Igarashi forfeits USA Olympic Team spot.
(Wiki) Correctly attributes Kanoa's wins accordingly to his Nationality at time of win.
WSL whitewashed all trace of Kanoa's 'US' wins...too good of a job if you ask me!

Only sports cheats have results altered?...Did WSL script Kanoa out of US Team?
Because that's one hell of a neat Job, writing off his US wins as Japanese wins?
How many other contest sheets are being altered & can WSL do this now?

Kanoa qualifies #1 for Japan so his bonus WSL Top 10 invite is worth gold.
2nd Japanese Surfer should equally now qualify? (Host is limited to one male surfer!)

Coincidentally his spare ticket rises in value for his ex US team mates (Late Qualifiers).
WSL JJF & Kelly's eyes are burning holes clean thru it...You can look but don't touch!
Battle for WSL #10 is valued higher than #1 rank...(No prizes to guessing why!)

Should Kanoa finish top 10 his ticket goes to #5 in 2020 ISA (JJF's comeback comp!)
National Coaches bypass WSL checkout to steer crew towards ISA's hot spots.
Understudies hoover Gold Tickets for sponsors, stitchin up best deal for Top Guns.
In that respect does US gift a clear run for Andinho WSL#1 to cough up Gold Ticket?

Soon half of WSL title races in (Olympic Years) never again represent the best surfer.
Fans will ever debate WSL#1 vs Olympic Hero vs "Fallguy X" as best surfer.

WSL vs National Team vs Olympic sponsor's crew vs Surf Branded. (Mate vs Mate)

Surfing joins the Mob alongside 'Cycling Team Hero,Tennis Bratz,Rep Football bans'.

'Johnny can't come out to play Pipeline Masters...his Olympic Dad says it's too rough'

'Come on Coach! So what if he fits into the suit, he still can't surf!'

"Shoosh! You can ring the Bell next time, just use yer priority to block the bad guys!"

[Surfboard Abuse!] [Code violation!] (Minus one Corona!)

'So why did surfing sell out..Do Today's Kidz prefer Olympic brands to Surf Brands?'
https://www.bandt.com.au/marketing/surf-brands-considered-daggy-aussie-k...
I guess that makes Olympics a front for WSL 'Surf Brand' liquidators!

dangerouskook2000's picture
dangerouskook2000's picture
dangerouskook2000 Thursday, 4 Jul 2019 at 7:21pm

WTF??????

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Thursday, 4 Jul 2019 at 11:26pm

tbb is no Nancy Drew but it takes all of 2 mins to check WSL history rewrite!

1) Wiki WSL 2016/2017 (Original WSL stats) Kanoa surfed for (US) 100% True!
These stats are authentic & can be relied upon for Surf History research.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_World_Surf_League

WSL 2016/2017 (Altered Stats) Kanoa never surfed for Japan until 2018
Changed stats have corrupted 2 years of World Surf history WTF??????
Changed stats mean most of 2016/17 WSL surfers & rounds share corrupted history.
That's right..every surfer that surfed against Kanoa has a corrupted history...(A lot!)

Yes! WSL should restore World Surf history & apologize to all Surfers involved.
https://www.worldsurfleague.com/athletes/tour/mct?year=2017

tbb has no idea why WSL fabricated 2016/17 Surf History or for what gain?
[disclaimer] tbb has never stood on a board since 1981 & is half blind (Really!)
Sure! Whistleblower tbb is the crazy one...just thought i'd do Surfing world a favour.
tbb trips over buckets of shitty Surf Hero rewrites so lets not pretend it's odd!

Terminal's picture
Terminal's picture
Terminal Friday, 5 Jul 2019 at 9:13pm

Didn't Tatiana Weston-Web do the same thing?

Jono's picture
Jono's picture
Jono Thursday, 11 Jul 2019 at 1:15pm

Not sure about fabricating history, probably just a lazy bit of web development. I dare say they just updated Kanoa's country in their database, and then the website automatically displays Japan next to his name whenever a page is displayed.

ddrew's picture
ddrew's picture
ddrew Friday, 5 Jul 2019 at 5:53pm

That’s a real shame. He has unique style and grace does jjf- no one else on the tour in his league. Big hole on ‘19 CT now. Gotta say am less likely to tune in unless waves are amazing.

mibs-oner's picture
mibs-oner's picture
mibs-oner Friday, 5 Jul 2019 at 6:07pm

Tbb how the fuck do you have the time and or energy to dig this up. I’m not even mad.
I love a good conspiracy theory.

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Friday, 5 Jul 2019 at 11:28pm

Right you are mibs-oner...Did you conjure up a Conspiracy for crew to uncover?
Terminal doubled tbb's high score! (Every kiddie gets a prize!)
(tbb got nervous uncovering Russian interference into US men's Olympic Surf Team)
Pretty much talked myself outta diggin' my own grave.
Even if Crew find truckloads more! [There is no KGB/WSL Collusion] Fake News!

Terminal uncovers WSL whitewash of nations/surfers/towns/comps TWW 2014-17

[10] [10] [10] [10] [10] Wave of the Day ~~~~^~~~~/(`~~~~/(C...[Terminal )

(WSL 4 year Surfing history rewrites directly corrupt 4 nations) How good is that?
There is no end as rewrites alter prize Purse >Tax offices > Town Records...ect
You have a Go! ... You get a Go!

Remigogo's picture
Remigogo's picture
Remigogo Saturday, 6 Jul 2019 at 9:47am

My 2 cents.

Really disappointed to here about jjf. Jj and Kelly showing to be the stand out for wozzles progression and performance in my eyes (even if Kelly gets underscored for a change).

One less excited follower here.

Come on Jordy!!!!

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Thursday, 11 Jul 2019 at 12:52pm

Repercussions from JJF getting one of next year's injury wildcards (which he will):

Mikey Wright will likely get bumped off the CT.

Both he and Adriano De Souza are injured, and regardless of what happens from here to the end of the season, both will be hard pressed to qualify inside the Top 22. If that happens, they'll both apply for an injury wildcard, however as ADS is a past world champ and as Mikey Wright was gifted a CT spot without ever qualifying through the QS, you can only assume that ADS will get the second wildcard.

mfatt's picture
mfatt's picture
mfatt Thursday, 11 Jul 2019 at 1:06pm

JJF should be able to requalify based on his points he's already collected - he would have finished 9th in the world last year based on his current points. And probably could be better if he gets a few more points for the last place points he gets while injured.

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Thursday, 11 Jul 2019 at 1:14pm

Ah fuck, yeah, that's true...

Maybe forget about my post above, eh?

mfatt's picture
mfatt's picture
mfatt Thursday, 11 Jul 2019 at 1:30pm

Haha yeah, It's pretty incredible how good a start to the year he had had.