Photographer’s Iconic Underwater Surfing Shot of Renowned Surfer Gets to ‘Live a Second Life’

Published 06/05/2023, 5:31 PM EDT

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In the world of professional surfing, John John Florence has made a name for himself. Florence’s talent caught the attention of the surfing community in 2011 when he joined the prestigious World Surf League Championship Tour. He was the youngest surfer at 13 to ever compete in Triple Crown Surfing. Hailing from Hawaii, he is now representing Team USA.

A remarkable moment unfolded when a skilled photographer seized the opportunity to capture Florence in action, riding a wave with unmatched precision. This iconic underwater shot has now taken on a new lease of life, captivating audiences and showcasing the skill of this renowned surfer in a truly unique way. What could the picture be about?

Glaser’s captivating photo captures Florence’s remarkable surfing

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Renowned photographer Todd Glaser recently shared a stunning image on Instagram. It was a brand collaboration, featuring the two-time World Champion. The photograph showcased Florence surfing underwater with incredible skill. This never-before-seen picture took on a new life as it graced billboards in Los Angeles, courtesy of Yeti and Val Surf. As an ambassador for the travel gear brand, Florence’s remarkable achievements are sure to draw in fans to the stores. 

 

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A post shared by Todd Glaser (@toddglaser)

Florence has secured a range of significant sponsorships throughout his career, including Hurley International, Machu Picchu Energy, Stance, Futures, Nixon, Dakine, Clif Bar, Electric, Yeti, and Pyzel surfboards. His departure from Hurley in 2020 led to the creation of his own brand, Florence Marine X. Through diligent effort, John Florence has secured notable brand deals, a testament to his remarkable achievements.

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After coming achingly close to the world championship title in 2013, Florence’s persistence paid off when he achieved the coveted feat in 2016. Not content with just one victory, he repeated his triumph in 2017, becoming one of only five men in the sport’s history to secure back-to-back championships. His journey to the top has been marked by unique experiences and personal growth.

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The surfing champion overcame injuries to make his mark at Tokyo Olympics

John John Florence’s path to the Tokyo Olympics was far from smooth. The journey commenced in 2018 when the American surfer suffered a significant setback, tearing his anterior cruciate ligament while surfing in Bali after a competition. Despite the setback, Florence remained determined and successfully returned for the 2019 season. Impressively, he achieved remarkable results, securing a third-place finish and consecutive first-place finishes on the Championship Tour.

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However, fate dealt him another blow as he encountered an unimaginable setback, another ACL tear, necessitating surgery. Undeterred, Florence made a remarkable comeback in December. He fiercely competed against fellow surfing veteran Kelly Slater to secure his spot on the Tokyo Olympic team. Although Florence faced further challenges with knee surgery just prior to his Olympic debut, he exhibited tremendous resilience and finished a commendable 9th place. Fans eagerly await his future performances, hoping for an exceptional showing at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

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Written by:

Gincy Abraham

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Gincy Abraham, an accomplished sports news writer at EssentiallySports, has a profound passion for surfing and a talent for covering the latest developments in sports. With expertise in Olympic news, Gincy captures the essence of the global sporting event. With a bachelor's degree in journalism and years of experience as a news reporter, Gincy is always in pursuit to deliver accurate content religiously.
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Edited by:

Anupama Ghosh