Watch: John John at Waimea

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 Friday, 6 Jan 2023 at 01:24 pm new

The free fall at approx 5min mark is nuts

sean killen Friday, 6 Jan 2023 at 03:03 pm new

Some of them take offs are unbelievable !!!!

frog Friday, 6 Jan 2023 at 03:45 pm new

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

manic- mat -rider Friday, 6 Jan 2023 at 06:39 pm new

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 Friday, 6 Jan 2023 at 11:45 pm new

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

freeride76 Saturday, 7 Jan 2023 at 06:46 am new

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

Island Bay Saturday, 7 Jan 2023 at 07:16 am new

He knows his shit, aye.

billie Sunday, 8 Jan 2023 at 08:16 pm new

So true mate

bluediamond Sunday, 8 Jan 2023 at 08:50 pm new

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 Monday, 9 Jan 2023 at 08:26 pm new

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 Monday, 9 Jan 2023 at 08:42 pm new

made a phone call, confirmed, last seasons footage

udo Saturday, 7 Jan 2023 at 07:49 am new

Who is the Guy @ 2:50

FriarTuck Saturday, 7 Jan 2023 at 08:49 am new

not you lol

udo Saturday, 7 Jan 2023 at 09:49 am new
Robwilliams Saturday, 7 Jan 2023 at 10:44 am new

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 Saturday, 7 Jan 2023 at 11:05 am new

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 Sunday, 8 Jan 2023 at 07:17 pm new

Tragety of the commons.

juegasiempre Monday, 9 Jan 2023 at 04:21 am new

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 Monday, 9 Jan 2023 at 09:02 am new

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 Monday, 9 Jan 2023 at 10:44 am new

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 Monday, 9 Jan 2023 at 11:32 am new

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 Saturday, 7 Jan 2023 at 11:28 am new

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

Roadkill Sunday, 8 Jan 2023 at 10:14 am new

That 4.57 drop was magic.

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

AndyM Sunday, 8 Jan 2023 at 02:26 pm new

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

memlasurf Monday, 9 Jan 2023 at 10:45 am new

Yeah only good for welts.

walkar Sunday, 8 Jan 2023 at 01:42 pm new

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

Reform Sunday, 8 Jan 2023 at 09:41 pm new

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 Sunday, 8 Jan 2023 at 06:47 pm new

An Old pic of Flea.... nice Line

burleigh Sunday, 8 Jan 2023 at 07:08 pm new

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

billie Sunday, 8 Jan 2023 at 08:21 pm new

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 Sunday, 8 Jan 2023 at 09:03 pm new

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

memlasurf Monday, 9 Jan 2023 at 10:50 am new

Or any Brazilian in the top ten.

Kham Monday, 9 Jan 2023 at 10:04 am new

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.