Caity Simmers and John John Florence are your 2024 surfing world champions

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Not many of us are used to having our entire working year dictated by 35 minutes and a fickle ocean.

But then again, we don't all own the company that sponsors the event we just won.

John John Florence has been surfing's most enigmatic underdog since he was surfing Pipe with Kelly at age nine, winning the NSSA Nationals at age 11, and competing in the Triple Crown at age 13. After years of (literal) bumps and bruises, JJF is finally living up to the prophecies that were predicted about him decades ago. This world title comes seven years after John John reclaimed it in 2017.

Unexpectedly Kelly Slater in black and white-like conditions, John John Florence defeated Italo Ferreira in two heats and caught a total of six waves during the day, compared to Italo's 45. This puts him in the “Club of Three World Champions”.

In the end, Italo's 19 Air Reverses were overshadowed by the one John John Layback that went around the world.

Here are some quick stats about John’s year:

• The now three-time world champion is also the only 2024 finalist who has never appeared in the WSL Finals before. This is the first time he has finished a season in the top five since his 2017 world title. He has surfed four finals this year, his most in a single season since his first world champion season in 2016.
• John has won the most heats (25) of any surfer this season, along with Griffin Colapinto. 12% of his rated waves have been in the excellent points range, the highest rate of any CT competitor. He has two perfect 10s this year and his heat average of 14.07 is also the highest on tour.

Now to Caity, our faithful ladybug, who has now completely jumped out of the cage and defeated two-time world champion and gold medalist Caroline Marks — and became the youngest world champion of all time.

At just 18 years old, Caity Simmers has already made two major surfing films, competed in the Olympics, won Rookie of the Year and captured the hearts of jaded surfers around the world.

This is the second time in women's surfing history that a surfer has won a world title within her first two years on tour (the first was Carissa).

Despite Caity's losing record against Caroline, and losing to her in the second match of last year's WSL Finals, Caity greatly improved her hitting rate and consistency to edge past Ms. Marks in the third and final heat of their “title match.”

As Julian Wilson recently told us: “Caity Simmers is going to make it in the women's category this year,” said Julian Wilson. “She's insanely good in all conditions and will give it her all. I'm really happy to see her win a world title and I'm sure there will be many more to come if she wants it.”