The Waves That Shaped Them: Reflections on a Legendary Session and the Paths Not Taken
There’s something almost mythical about the way surfers talk about the one. You know, that session where everything aligns—the waves, the wind, the moment. For John John Florence and Dane Reynolds, that session happened in Japan, back in 2012. What makes this particularly fascinating is that it wasn’t just about the waves; it was about the convergence of two surfers at very different stages of their careers, both on the cusp of defining their legacies in ways that would later diverge dramatically.
The Session That Time Forgot
When John John and Dane describe those waves in Japan, their words are almost poetic. Dane calls it the “perfect combination of power and shape,” while John talks about the speed and the bowl bending toward him. Personally, I think what’s most striking here is the sense of freedom they describe. “It felt like you could do anything you wanted,” Dane says. That’s not just a surfer’s hyperbole; it’s a metaphor for the kind of unbridled creativity that defines both of their careers.
But here’s the thing: this was the first and only trip they ever took together. In my opinion, that’s where the story gets really interesting. Two surfers who would go on to reshape the surf industry in their own ways, yet their paths barely crossed. John was just 18, stepping into the spotlight of the tour, while Dane, at 26, was already stepping away from it. What many people don’t realize is that their timing—their pacing—might be the reason they never collaborated more. It’s like they were moving through parallel universes, occasionally intersecting but never fully merging.
The Paths Diverged, But the Waves Remain
Fast forward 14 years, and both have left the competitive circuit. Both have also walked away from the big-money deals of the mainstream surf industry to build their own brands. From my perspective, this is where the story becomes less about waves and more about identity. John’s pursuit of world titles and Dane’s dive into filmmaking represent two very different visions of what surfing can be. Yet, when they reunite on StabMic, it’s clear they’re still connected by that shared experience in Japan.
One thing that immediately stands out is their honesty about the competitive world. Dane admits his favorite part was the attention, while John confesses he just wanted to “destroy everyone and win everything.” If you take a step back and think about it, these are two sides of the same coin—ambition, but expressed in radically different ways. Dane’s admission feels almost vulnerable, while John’s sounds ruthless. What this really suggests is that the competitive drive can manifest in ways that are both self-serving and self-destructive, depending on who’s holding the leash.
The Bigger Picture: Surfing as a Metaphor for Life
What makes this conversation so compelling isn’t just the nostalgia for a legendary session. It’s the way it forces us to think about the choices we make and the paths we don’t take. John and Dane represent two archetypes in surfing—and, frankly, in life. One is the relentless competitor, the other the free-spirited creator. Both are valid, but they come with their own costs.
A detail that I find especially interesting is how their aversion to certain aspects of competition mirrors a broader cultural shift in surfing. The sport is no longer just about winning; it’s about expression, sustainability, and authenticity. John and Dane’s decision to step away from the tour and build their own brands is a testament to that. They’re not just surfers anymore; they’re entrepreneurs, storytellers, and, in some ways, philosophers of the sea.
What This Really Means for the Future of Surfing
If there’s one takeaway from this conversation, it’s that surfing is evolving. The old guard—the tour, the sponsorships, the win-at-all-costs mentality—is being challenged by a new wave of thinkers and doers. John and Dane are at the forefront of this movement, even if they’re not always on the same page.
Personally, I think their reunion on StabMic is more than just a trip down memory lane. It’s a reminder that the best sessions—and the best lives—are the ones where you feel like you can do anything. Whether you’re chasing titles or chasing waves, the key is to stay true to your vision. And if you’re lucky, maybe you’ll find someone who understands that, even if your paths only cross once in a lifetime.
This raises a deeper question: What does it mean to leave your mark on a sport? For John and Dane, it’s not just about the waves they rode, but the waves they created—in the industry, in their fans’ minds, and in the very essence of what surfing can be. That, to me, is the real legacy of that session in Japan. It wasn’t just about the waves; it was about the possibilities they unlocked.
