The names of Gabriel Medina and John John Florence will not be on the heat draw when Pipe kicks off on Jan 27 and once again pro-surfing has been robbed of one of its greatest rivalries. They are the two most dominant competitive surfers of the era, with three world titles apiece in the last decade. Their surfing styles and profiles are radically different, but their talent equivalent. You could argue all day about who’s the better surfer and never have a definite answer. Both surfers have their camps, but one thing we all agree on is that we want to see them compete against each another. Not just because of the grudge-match factor but because they can push performance to a whole new level when they’re in the water together. This is the Cheyne vs MR, the Occy vs Curren, the Kelly vs Andy of our times, and we want more.
Due to either injury or burnout for both parties, it seems fans haven’t felt the full force of the John John vs Medina rivalry. The competitive tension arguably reached its crescendo back in 2017 when both surfers arrived on the North Shore in contention for the world title. John John had the ratings point advantage when they paddled out for the Pipe Masters. This was of course the old system when it was first past the post for a world title – no finals day. As local JJF fans swarmed the beach, including hundreds of chanting kids from Sunset Elementary school (JJF did his primary schooling there, right across the road from Pipe) Medina bowed out in the quarter finals, thus granting JJF back-to-back titles.
Since 2017 the rivalry has been more of a dance. Their direct match-ups have been riveting but circumstance has frequently taken the world title out of the equation.
Now it seems WSL fans will be forced to wait until 2026 to see if Medina and John John square off again.
The only other way to fast-track a Medina JJF showdown would be to manufacture a setting that allowed it to happen. Imagine seeing them at a location like Teahupo’o, in a best of three heats match-up. A specialty event that cut to the chase and delivered the fans what they really wanted to see.
Such a clash obviously borrows heavily from the boxing or UFC model. Both surfers are still registered with the WSL so technically they can’t surf under a rebel banner or break away tour. However, there is no stopping the WSL from introducing another format to their existing structure. An annual ‘Showdown’ or ‘Exhibition’ match between two hand-selected surfers could add an exciting new dimension to the WSL model. They could even revive the ‘Clash of the Titans’ tag they used for the Curren vs Occy series.
The most fitting location seems like Teahupo’o, which has been the site of some of Medina and John John’s most riveting head-to-head clashes over the years. Who wouldn’t have loved to see another couple of heats between these two on days like the below?
An independent event with a waiting period would create the best opportunity for an unmissable spectacle. Continuing with the boxing/UFC theme there could even be a single round undercard bout featuring two of the best locals. Let’s say Matahai Drollet vs Kauli Vaast. Fans would probably not be opposed to a pay per view option in this instance, although a midweek run could make viewership difficult.
The trilogy of exhibition heats between John John and Medina could also be held in conjunction with the Tahiti Pro in early August. Medina should be fully recovered from injury and John John might be sick of yachting by then.
Alternatively, the ‘clash of the titans’ could be an additional feature of the WSL finals window at Cloudbreak. The wave would certainly allow both surfers to showcase their talents in hollow, overhead surf.
To entice both JJF and Medina, and add a little interest to the occasion, there would have to be some kind of prize-money, but such a fixture would certainly be appealing to prospective sponsors.
Maybe it sounds like an ambitious plan, and someone will still have to convince John and Medina to play ball. However, the WSL has already shown it’s willing to consider other concepts with its move to a Finals Day approach and its Legends battles. If you count Finals Day, the WSL will host 12, full Championship Tour events in 2025. Adding in three extra heats for two of the greatest male surfers of all time, who are still in their prime doesn’t seem like such a push. As for Steph Gilmore vs Carissa Moore… none of it’s impossible.