The finals of the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro 2024 were a long time coming. Days of glassy conditions had left the competition in limbo, surfers twiddling their thumbs and anxiously checking the horizon. But as commentator Michelle Borz boomed over the loudspeakers, the wait was finally over. The semi-final heat between surfing titans John John Florence and Gabriel Medina was about to drop, and the anticipation crackled in the tropical air.
The first wave belonged to Medina, the Brazilian powerhouse. He tore into it with his signature explosiveness, carving sharp turns and launching himself into the air for a series of audacious maneuvers. The crowd roared, already envisioning a Medina victory. But just as it seemed like he would snag a perfect ride, Medina’s board slipped beneath him, and he tumbled into the turquoise water with a frustrated yell.
Undeterred, Florence, the reigning World Surf League champion, calmly paddled out. Patience can be a surfer’s greatest weapon, and Florence knew it. When a head-high wave finally rolled in, he took off with the grace of a ballerina on a skateboard. He weaved through the whitewater like a seasoned navigator, exploiting every pocket of power and opportunity the wave offered. Then, he unleashed his signature move: the coverline. This critical maneuver involves hugging the critical section of the wave, where the energy is most concentrated, performing a series of tight turns that showcase both power and finesse. The crowd erupted as Florence stuck the landing, and the judges rewarded him with a near-perfect score.
The pressure was now on Medina. The long stretches of flatness had disrupted the rhythm of the heat, making it difficult for either surfer to find their groove. But Medina, a two-time world champion himself, wasn’t about to go down without a fight. He paddled relentlessly, searching for a wave that could propel him back into the lead. He found a few, but none with the scoring potential of Florence’s coverline masterpiece.
As the clock ticked down to the final two minutes, Medina’s chances grew slimmer with each passing second. He needed a monster wave, a once-in-a-heat gem to steal the victory. But the ocean gods weren’t listening. The final buzzer blared, and Florence emerged victorious, a determined fist pump erupting from the water.
In a post-heat interview, still catching his breath, Florence admitted his apprehension about facing Medina. “Gabriel’s a machine out there,” he said. “He can put together a high-scoring ride on any wave.” But Florence also acknowledged his own strategic brilliance. “I just focused on staying patient and waiting for the right opportunity. Luckily, a couple of good ones came my way, and I’m stoked to be moving on to the finals.”
The win secured Florence a spot in the final round against Ealo Ferrera, and the coveted yellow jersey, which signifies the leader in the competition. “It’s always an honor to wear that jersey,” he said with a grin. “But the job’s not done yet. I’m excited to get back out there and battle for the win.”
With the sun finally breaking through the clouds, Tahiti was set for a thrilling conclusion to the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro. And John John Florence, the in-form competitor, was poised to claim the ultimate prize.