Surfing: John John Florence secures back-to-back World Surf League titles

John John Florence is again on the crest of a wave. Photo / Getty Images

John John Florence has joined women's champion Tyler Wright and secured back-to-back World Surf League titles.

The Hawaiian has won his quarter-final at the Championship Tour (CT) season-ending Pipe Masters against Australian Julian Wilson.

That meant Gabriel Medina needed to win his quarter-final to keep his chances alive, but the Brazilian failed to fire, losing to Frenchman Jeremy Flores.

Surfing at his home break, the 25-year-old was almost eliminated the very next heat after he was confirmed as the World Champion as Brazillian Ian Gouveia had him on the ropes.

However, Florence showed his quality and scored a 8.73 in the final minutes to eliminate Gouveia and progress to the final despite breaking his board during the semifinal and having to change equipment.

However, Flores later spoiled the party, hitting an buzzer-beater in the final to deny Florence his maiden Pipe Masters title.

Meeting Flores in the final - Flores eliminated American Kanoa Igarashi in his semifinal - things got off to a slow start for Florence in the 40-minute final as he looked to claim his maiden Pipe Masters title.

It took almost 20 minutes for him to find a decent scoring wave, but a 6.67 for a tube ride set things off in what was an exciting final.

Flores hit back moments later with a 7.90. But, not to be outdone, Florence answered right back with an excellent barrel, dropping an 8.93 which he then paired with a 7.23.

Flores was left looking for a 8.27 to take out the event, and as time ticked down it looked as though Florence had won the event.

Flores had other ideas, however, and, with just 25 seconds remaining in the final, the Frenchman found an 8.33 to steal his second Pipe Masters crown.

Florence and Flores weren't the only ones to be crowned champion during finals day at the Pipe Masters, as 17-year-old Griffin Colapinto became the first Californian surfer to claim the Triple Crown.

The Triple Crown is awarded to the surfer with the best results across the Pipe Masters, and qualifying series (QS) events the Hawiian Pro and the World Cup of Surfing.

Despite not qualifying for the main draw at the Pipe Masters, his second-placed finish at the Hawaiian Pro and fourth-place at the World Cup of Surfing were enough for him to secure the title.

The Crown caps off a massive year for the young surfer, who finished the QS season at the top of the pack and will compete in his rookie year on the CT in 2018.