Where to Watch John John Florence, Griffin Colapinto, and More Surfing Olympians Before Paris Olympics?

As the best surfers in the world gear up for the Paris Olympics, the buzz has steadily climbed. This June is a great chance for those hungry to witness their favorite athletes compete before they go to Paris. The Surf City El Salvador Pro heats have been confirmed by the World Surf League (WSL), with surfers like Griffin Colapinto and John John Florence ready for the competition. Featuring some of the top icons in surfing, this event will give fans a sneak peek at what’s in store for Paris, scheduled to take place shortly before the Olympic Games.

From June 6 to June 15, the Surf City El Salvador Pro events will be streamed live on the World Surf League website, enabling spectators all around the world to join in. The WSL has recently shared the exciting lineups for both the women’s and men’s events on Instagram, providing enthusiasts with a clear schedule of whom to watch and when. There are several famous competitors in the men’s division besides John John Florence. Ethan Ewing from Australia, Rio Waida from Indonesia, and Matthew McGillivray from South Africa begin the first heat, each bringing different abilities to the table.

The USA’s Griffin Colapinto is in Heat 3, which is fun to witness. Since 2018, Griffin Colapinto has participated in the World Surf League Men’s World Tour. He’ll be up against Brazilian Joao Chianca and Australian Ryan Callinan. Colapinto has been giving amazing performances, so his supporters will be eager to see if he can continue to perform at his best. Another strong competitor, John John Florence, will compete in Heat 4.

Australian surfer Liam O’Brien and local icon Bryan Perez from El Salvador will square off against the Hawaiian surfer. Florence is a clear favorite due to his background and abilities, but there will be tough competition. “One of the most dominant pipe surfers of his era” is how some describe him. In both the 2016 and 2017 World Surf League Men’s Championship routes, John John Florence emerged victorious in both competitions. After Andy Irons, he is the first surfer from Hawaii to win two consecutive world crowns.

John John Florence and the men’s division aren’t the only captivation

The women’s division has an equally strong field as John John Florence and other male contenders. Tyler Wright of Australia, Caroline Marks of the USA, and Johanne Defay of France are set to compete in Heat 1. Tyler Wright won the WSL Women’s World Championship in 2016 and 2017, while Johanne Defay is the 5x World Surf League event winner. Additionally, Caroline Marks is the 2023 WSL Women’s World Tour Champ. So, given the great track records of all three surfers, this heat looks to be a competitive battle.

The highly anticipated matchup in Heat 3 and 4 has American world champion Caity Simmers taking on Australian challenger Molly Picklum. In 2021, Caitlin Simmers scored her first professional tournament victory as she emerged victorious from the US Open of Surfing, the inaugural event of the Circuit. While Molly Picklum was in her second year on the WCT tour (2023), she topped the competition in Sunset Beach, Hawaii, and she was able to maintain her title in 2024. As of right now, Picklum leads the tour.

Brazilian surfer Tatiana Weston-Webb is also gearing up for the thrilling battle wave alongside other surfers like Gabriela Bryan, Sawyer Lindblad, and Lakey Peterson. Given how closely Simmers and Picklum have been matched in previous contests, this heat is especially intriguing. Thus, viewers will get an exciting sneak peek at what to anticipate in Paris during this event, with the heats set and world-class surfers prepared to participate.

Are you eager to see John John Florence and others before the 2024 Olympics kick in? Share your thoughts in the comments.