"Foam Ball Ride of the Decade!"
Nathan Florence, brother of US Olympian John John, has knocked the surfing world for six after shucking what some big-wave surfers are calling the “best barrel ever.”
Florence, who is twenty-eight and whose couronne of red hair is masked by the bleaching effects of sun and salt, rode the wave at a remote Irish reef on November 6, the swell generated by the remnants of Hurricane Martin.
“When riding the lightning all comes together!” says Nathan. “One of the rides of me life, thanks all local boys for having me in their beautiful land and inspiring always to send!”
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Compliments were quick to follow.
Mark Healey, no stranger to oversized waves, wrote, “You may have my two favourite backhand tube ride ever.”
From WSL commentator Strider Wasilewski, “Best heavy wave surfer in the world.”
Tube hunter Brett Barley, “Foamball Ride of the Decade.”
Dorian, “Sheesh epic!!”
Pipe Pro runner-up Seth Moniz, “Best Barrel ever.”
Florence’s brother, John John, older by two years was quick to collar tie the middle bro of the Florence triumvirate, writing with a masterfully droll wit, “Could’ve been deeper.”
If you’re wondering, Nathan’s on an eight-five Pyzel Padillac, set up as a thruster not a quad and the protuberance from his mouth is a miniature POV camera, although that footage has yet to be loosed.