Friends, family, and fans lined the highway as Florence arrived home. – WSL / WSL/Freesurf/Heff
What more can the young living legend say?
It was an emotional day for newly crowned World Champion John John Florence as he returned home to his tight-knit North Shore community for the first time since claiming the Title in Portugal last week. The neighborhood came out to celebrate, lining the streets of Kamehameha Highway between Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach to cheer, wave Hawaiian flags and flash their homemade signs to celebrate Hawaii’s first men’s champ since the late Andy Irons in 2004.
Florence can’t wait to get back in the water at Pipe as The Champ. – WSL / Kirstin Scholtz
By far the most vocal supporters were the hundred-plus kids from Sunset Beach Elementary, where Florence went to school. Students were let out of class to join in the festivities.
Naturally, Florence was moved by the outpouring of love and support. “I was so surprised,” Florence said. “This is everyone I’ve grown up with. I couldn’t have dreamed up anything like this. I’m just stoked.”
