Florence, currently in his rookie year on the ASP WCT, proved unstoppable on the final day of Billabong Rio Pro competition, topping prodigious Australian Julian Wilson (AUS), 23, and Josh Kerr (AUS), 27, on his way to triumph over Parkinson.

“This is the best feeling in the world,” Florence said. “I had that bad heat at Arpoador to start and we had a couple of lay days and I had to just sit and think about it. I can’t even believe this right now. I’m in shock. I was just sticking to my game plan and not thinking about the other guys. I’m so happy right now.”

SUNSET BEACH, Oahu/Hawaii (Friday, December 2, 2011) - Hawaii’s John John Florence has stood on the sand here at Sunset Beach watching the crowning of surfing champions since he was 6-years-old. Today, at 19, he stood on the podium, having realized his childhood dream of winning the Vans World Cup at Sunset Beach, and taking the lead on the coveted Vans Triple Crown presented by Rockstar Energy Drink series ratings. It was an overwhelming victory for Florence, who surfed in his first Vans Triple Crown event at the tender age of 12.