Surfing
John John Florence
TECHNIQUE
BACKFLIP
Backflips are rare in surf contests, and Florence, known as one of the best aerialists in surfing, has yet to land one in competition. In Tokyo, where Florence will compete between July 25 and Aug. 1, he’ll look for a frontside wave with a steep section and wait for the right moment. “It’ll either be the last seconds of a heat when I need a massive score,” Florence, 28, says, “or when I have a solid lead and room to try a big trick.”