Watch: John John Florence // Slow it down
Good little study in style, this video. The common refrain about John John's style is that he hangs his arms low, but watching his waves in slow mo you realise that's only in between turns; during the big moments his arms are up near horizontal, and sometimes higher, acting as counterweights to the forces unleashed.
Comments
The low arms between moves and more subtle and flexible use of arms compared to the stiff armed pterodactyl style of some overly coached surfers is a huge part of what make John John so appealing to watch.
Surfers should skateboard more and take note of skater style. You can be radical with minimal arm movements. Pull out the big arms briefly on critical turns and keep them a bit more loose and floppy in between.
agreed!
Check the flow of water off the board whilst bottom turning at 1.33..... and the drive achieved from a second bottom turn/pump a little later... sweet
Such an epic little vid. I always appreciate the chance to observe and analyse the techniques of great surfers through slow motion. The slow mo even adds a soulful touch when it captures the rain during his session.
It’d be really nice if some tech wiz out there put a goofy foot version of this on YouTube.
More slow mo please.
“More slow mo please”
Perhaps the most contrarian and incendiary comment in the history of Swellnet.
Swellnet hardly has a history, what a joke. Haha! No one even had internet when I was growing up. We just had nature and our wits about us. With what history Swellnet has, it has helped to heap crowds where they are not wanted and where they once did not exist. It has destroyed a lot of peace and joy for a lot of people including me and I have surfed all over Australia for decades. I know many people who once enjoyed lineups with just a few guys, now struggling to get a park spot in places you would often surf alone. Some of these surf business guys have a lot to answer for! Don’t worry though, they’ve always got a smart answer, always a step “ahead” always more clever!
Just doing your bit by switching off?
"Im just posting here to prove (to myself) i am not complicit"
Why you here SI?
Yep. Being pro-slow motion does seem against the grain on here.
I love that shit.
Perhaps the best comeback/comment I've ever read on SN.
Well done!
here ya go bud, goofy
Delvec......you’re a friggin legend.
Nice work and thank you very much.
It'll be interesting to see how the top guys go in the modest waves likely in the 4 X Oz Wozzle contests.
Italo and Gabs looked they were trying hard in their recent @Newy drops - imagine for JJF who gets to ride great waves at home and trips (and sometimes on tour) - can he/they stay interested. Occasionally I like seeing them in shit waves coz u see how much they can do and it reminds u to stop blaming your 'tools' - but I think 4 X contests over several weeks in a year when a crown may not be won, or always questioned will be a stretch
Also enjoyed the vid, the chance to try and learn from the best in slo mo
For me absolute perfection. Hand placement, foot position, centre of weight. Far out you could analyse that 6 mins over and over and keep on learning
Slow it down to go fast.
(saw the drive at 1:33 as well Mr Older)
3:58 is a highlight!
smooth is fast.
After the move at 2:30 there are still diamonds falling from the sky when they cut to the next move. Incredible!
I reckon he sees it in the inner workings of his subconscious it closer to this speed than real time, this is flow state exemplified.
A lot to learn from this. For me I notice how his front arm aligns his shoulders and hips and board as he approaches the manoeuvre. Something I need to get better at. What else do people notice?
"What else do people notice?"
Lots of noticing coming in an interview to be posted tomoz.
Here’s the trifecta for the slo-motion/ Technical/Goofyfoot fetishests out there. Clay Marzo-the fella can surf.
Here’s the trifecta for the slo-motion/ Technical/Goofyfoot fetishests out there. Clay Marzo-the fella can surf.
Are you sure that was Marzo? I didn't see one layback-snap-blast-footloose turn in there. Must be another bloke.