October 18, 1992 // Sunset Beach, Hawaii
Synopsis: No longer the fresh-faced grom that we’ve become accustomed to, John John has transitioned seamlessly from the surf world’s uber-grom to a full-fledged chevroned man, dominating peaks along the Seven-Mile Miracle.
Variables: Although he’s a spit-shined contest surfer—John John finished second in ’08 in the NSSA Hawaii Explorer Junior division—he seems to do his best surfing when he’s back at home, slotting himself at Backdoor affront the paparazzi.
Forecast: John John will continue to whip turns and heads alike in ’09. We’d like to see him take a National title.