Jaws Lights Up, John John Returns, and a Surf Travel Horror Story
Well, folks, the surf world is buzzing with some big news. From the monster waves at Jaws in Maui to John John Florence making his contest comeback, and a cautionary tale about airline travel, there's plenty to talk about over coffee after a session. Let's dive in.
First up, if you're a big wave surfer or just love to see the ocean at its most powerful, Jaws (Peahi) on Maui has lit up. A massive XL swell from the west marched in, serving up sets in the 15-foot range. The local big wave community was on it right at first light. After some tow-in waves, it was time for paddle-in action. As reported by The Inertia, Albee Layer got the wave of the day with one of the best paddle-in barrels in a long time. Kai Lenny was also putting on a show with some impressive foiling. Francisco Porcella and Kai Paula found some epic waves too. It was a perfect opening day for the season at Jaws.
Next, we've got some exciting news about one of the world's best surfers. John John Florence, who announced his return to the Championship Tour for 2026, is getting back into competition even sooner. He's registered for the Pipe Pro, which runs from December 10-20. This event at his home break of Pipeline is a QS 2,000, and as noted by The Inertia, John John will be competing alongside his brothers Ivan and Nathan. Other big names like Barron Mamiya, Mason Ho, and Billy Kemper are also in the mix. It'll be John John's first event since the 2025 Lexus Pipe Pro. We're all excited to see how his freesurf-heavy regimen and months of dad-life sailing have kept him in competitive form.
Finally, a story that might make you cringe. Welsh surfer William Beck had a nightmare return from a surf trip in Biarritz. When he went to pick up his boards at the airport, he was told his board bag had been destroyed. Not just damaged—totally annihilated. The bag had been run over by the airline's stair car, and then dragged across the tarmac. Inside were three boards (two brand new), wetsuits, dry bags, and even board socks. Absolutely nothing was salvageable. RyanAir told him to put in a claim and assured him they would pay, but over a month and a half later—20 days past their deadline—Beck hasn't seen a dime. He shared his experience on Instagram, and honestly, it's a story every surfer who travels with boards should know. You can read the full details over at The Inertia.
So there you have it—monster waves, a comeback, and a travel horror. Stay safe out there, and keep those boards safe from stair cars!