"VELA" Episode 1 of 4 | John John Florence 

"the best time to leave... is when it's time to go" -this man speaking facts

Beautiful video. I had a similar, life changing time during my gap year (2019). I flew from Australia to England and bought a 28ft sailboat, "Sundowner". I set the sails, with the loose plan of getting back to Australia! I sailed for 10 months down the French Atlantic coast, across the Mediterranean, south down the African coast in the Red Sea and finally crossed the Indian Ocean from Oman to India, all solo. I flew home from India amid the coronavirus pandemic and started uni! Your video brought back some dreamlike memories of deserted African islands and uncharted reef breaks, incredible sunsets and surreal moments, so Thankyou!

The thoughtfulness of the Florences, the vibes, the culture, the cinematography..... SO INSPIRING. YEWWWWW

Yes finally we get to show this adventure!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻

The content we needed during this world pandemic ⚡️

A healthy and injury free John John is unbeatable!!! He will win multiple WSL championships and is already the GOAT surfer from HI.

just another layer in the "john john, you're the coolest" phenomenon. thank you for being you, and for sharing your world with the rest of us so beautifully 🌸

John John, knowledge isn't just freedom, but power as well. Not in the sinister sense, but the power to think for yourself and see the truth masqueraded before us. In these times, we should all work to build our knowledge. Thank you for inspiring countless numbers of young people to better themselves thus making our world a better place.

A sailboat is like a giant surfboard, I'm stoked he's getting into it.

Freedom, freedom, freedom......there. Thanks John John.

Props to Johns Mom, she has helped raise an outstanding citizen.

Please do longer episodes, we don´t mind watching 1 hour...truly... there´s so much potencial !!! LOVE EM!! can´t belive you just do 4 episodes of 1 month trip. Cheers!

Thank you John John for keeping the stoke levels high during quarantine

A breath of fresh air, John John is an incredible filmmaker

Reminds me of surfing north shore in the winter and racing sailboats out of The Wakiki Yatch Club in the summer 1976. Sweet times. Thanks for sharing the good vibes JJ.

John John n crew, thx so much for sharing! John John, I’ve watched you grow up and just have to say how heartwarming it is see the human you seem to have become. Loved all four videos of the trek, but the words you express in this first transcend sailing and speak deeply to most all human lives’ aspirations, challenges, trepidations and accomplishments. Best to you and yours, and all Earthlings.

A new level of respect for JJF working on becoming the ultimate waterman.

We have been waiting all day for this

this is the kind of content we need

Thanks for making this. Helping me make it through these hard times

mind blown by the foiling catamaran every time i see it!

I don’t understand how someone could thumbs down such a cool and well pu together video?.. I think this is epic! Yeah John!🤙🏼 waterman

The soundtrack to this series is going to be absolute amazing!

Thank you for the escape. So good to see a glimpse of Joey Cabell as well. Got to surf town with him years ago. What a treat.

This guy is so rad! Could watch him adventure anywhere with his buddies!! All good vibes from the west coast 🌊

John John pulling me through quarantine

this just vibrates with excitement, and of course if beautifully filmed, as always with parallel sea/erik, and the music is perfect. so psyched to have this to watch right now

I love it! Man, sailing and fishing are just my two favorite things, and the vibe is pretty well put at 8:29. I love waking up on the boat. Not a dull moment when you're on it.

Love when John opens up. Such a rad dude.

I can't wait to see the next episode.

The first minute of this episode feels very much in the style of Jack Johnson's film "Thicker Than Water". Such a classic surf film! Loved this episode too!

Dream do come true! Another epic series from my fav. John John:) Thanks!!!

Great to sea that’s how I raised my son at the docks and sailing wonderful times.

YETI and John John never disappoint.

You're living my dream, and I can't think of anyone better to do so. Blessings!

thank you for helping us through this pandemic !!!!

Vela é o melhor desporto que há. Portugal 🇵🇹 (sailing is the best sport ever)

How enjoyable it is watching you having the best time ever!

Who else watches these videos and think... I would love to make that! If only we could move to Hawaii and hang with John John!

Wow. Epic. Can’t wait for further episodes! Congrats on winning at life John John

This is actually amazingly cool for so many reasons.

Finally new content about John. I´m still watching Twelve like once in a month haha.

Living, living in the ocean... so nice!!

I can relate. I am still making those moves when I can at 62. I actually became a licensed captain at 21. planning and eta is everything :) we get passed these trying times and it's off again.

John, you are the best! Dad taught me to sail a hobie 16 when i was a kid. Love this trip. Amazing work!

John John 🙏 knowledge can be freeedom

The guy with the green pants is the coolest person in this video. What an epic character! And I love his quote too :-)

So cool! My uncle did this same trip with his brother on a boat 1/4 the size of that in the 70's just to go surf and explore! They sailed out of the same marina too!

Thank you so much for sharing!! Wonderful

Knew this was coming and it was worth the wait. Finally. Can't wait for more.

I love the juxtaposition of these vs Nate's. one is raw and realistic and this one is stunning and cinematic.

Jonathon you legend.

So it's a Higher hands providence that JJ got injured so he could provide us this brilliant content in times of quarantine and boredom! Amen

These videos are only things making me feel safe and calm 😌

thanks for sharing. very enjoyable. still waters run deep. looking forward to more!

Awesome, can’t wait to see the rest. Sweet boat and interesting crew.

The best thing I've seen on RU-vid in a long time! Would love to see more like it.

That foil is epic

Awesome. That gunboat is just fantastic. You can go fast on that beast. What a memorable trip that must have been. Waiting for the next episode...Happy easter everyone.

I've watched this series like 20 times

Legend is Back 🤙🏽

Been looking forward to this 💪🏼❤️🤙🏼✌🏼

All four episodes were awesome.

Very cool, excited to watch the rest! It's also pretty neat to see how having a production crew compares to what we're able to produce with just the two of us :D Cheers!

Fantastic! Bringing back great memories and the joy of pure sailing! Over 20 years ago, as a student, I spent a year in Hawai'i and did quite a bit of sailing there. Thank you John Florence for reminding me of the simple joys of sailing, particularly with small, fast boats (like in the first half of this). Seems I am too bogged down in the super yacht "industry"here in the Med nowadays to experience this kind of just for fun sailing. And by the way: GREAT filmmaking. I am officially jealous!

So beautiful. Thank you JJ

This is awesome, truly inspiring

As a sailor and surfer, these videos are awesome!

Muchas gracias !! Excellent quarantined timing to watch best high quality content. T care

I see, today, “Vela” is tied bow/stern at the old fuel dock in the Ala Wai boat harbor. I passed by to go trolling... Pretty boat and wild video! Mahalo!

Had goosebumps for the whole video

Ive seen this series a few times. Love it. Palmyra is one of my bucket list items!

Outasight! These are such bad ass boats, one of the fastest "cruising" cats in the world, powerful enough and narrow beamed enough to be able to lay on her side if you guys aren't careful, but I suspect that you are aware of this. This was nicely produced, and I'm stoked that there will be more to come. In my life, sailing and surfing have always been entwined, and the combo has shaped who I am today. I progressed in the sailing world in a similar fashion as you, John John, but as I'm a generation older my start was with a Sunfish instead of the laser (wasn't out yet!), I sailed my first Hobie at Mantachen Bay in '67 or '68 when Hobie and Munoz brought a final prototype Hobie 14 down there and offered folks there to give it a go ('m guessing they could write off the trip this way) and boy was I hooked. Decades of racing beach cats followed first with Hobies, then Prindles, Nacras, Square 14's, Tornados, and my fave, the various Supercats after getting tired of the egos in the racing world. I have yet to be able to try a foiled cat, but will some day soon. Anyway, I'm rambling. Saludos to you all; wishing you fair winds and smooth seas. Bien Viaje amigos!

Alright John I'm hooked. From now on, I'm watching this to get fired up for surf. Or just go out to the beach or sea and just do something. And its all shot so perfectly! Waiting for the next episode. And make it lengthy too.

Love this! Keep exploring the ocean

Loving this ❤️

I got to race Moth hydrofoil sailboats at Worlds in Kaneohe in '13. Those mountains in the distance are even more hypnotizing in person. Bless up

I really like this. think more about things like that. your family and friends are really fun. success!!

Breathtaking to enjoy this stunning scenery. I enjoy this a lot. Reminds me of my trips where I take the good music like the Guns N Roses, Imagine Draongs or the Delta Parole and then enjoy the powerful feeling of the sea. ¡vamos!

*The production value on this is insane, well done*

This was produced so well. Man I gotta hit the horizon

We need all 4!

PERFECT content. More and more of this please :-) Also, LOVE the "Growth Mindset" of "You get to mistakes over and over again."

Epic vid of an Epic dude 😎 what a legendary waterman you are Johnny John John! 🌊🌅

and here i am watching your vids in hopes to build the confidence and motivation up to go out surfing for the first time in 20 years amazing Videos u deserve everything u get and coming to you!!!!!

So awesome great vibes John John~~!!

This really inspired me and I think a lot of other people to keep on chasing your dreams.

Keep them coming John John, I'm loving this vibe.

Jhon Jhon it s so cool boy! simple & genius surfer! I Like this video! Thanks Jhon Jhon to make the leaving art of cool life styyle! it s a simple boy,humilty & who cares about the ocean polution!!!, The Crew and family of supppotr you in World Championshiip Surfing, Unfortally this bad year, because the "corona virus" R.i.P all deads with this virus! and for 2021 i wish Jhon Jhon Florence be the champion surfing, be the number 1 Please! Stay strong "boy"! PEACE. from Portugal / Santa Cruz beach.

AMAZING!! SERIES.

I am from the Planet VELA and it is fantastic to see your Video

Perfect !!

So sick to watch it John!

what a life... Thanks for cool lockdown footage... It almost feels like I'm outside.

So Awesome... You picked a great Cat. Enjoy.

You guys are Awesomely motivating, inspiring & super Smart,but Wise! Posting this video during this period in our lives,could not be better timed! The recording details,choice of music & every minute contribution along with sharing your Adventure with others is remarkable indeed! ThankU & can't wait to see more! God Speed!

Awesome! Beautiful images, nice music and the way that all of you make as enjoy from our quarentine spot. Thks 🙏🏼

This is so good!

Sheeessh this is giving me all the feels!!! Super inspiring... my wheels are a turning! Can’t wait to explore some more!💕🤙🏾

big fan of this, stuff dreams are made of