TEST PILOT SPOTLIGHT: CHARLIE VERCO

Raised in the thick of Australia's North Bondi legendary surf culture, Charlie Verco's journey to an elite Surf Ironman is defined by an extraordinary affinity for the ocean. Combining ruthless endurance with world-class watermanship, Verco has carved his name into the history books as one of Australia's most dominant modern paddleboarders.

What's your discipline?

I'm a professional prone paddleboarder and surf ironman.

What accomplishments are you most proud of in your discipline?

The accomplishments I am most proud of in my discipline are being a 4x consecutive M2O World Champion and Record Holder, finishing 2nd in the 25/26 Shaw and Partners Ironseries, and earning a Bronze medalist finish in the Open Ironman alongside a Silver Medalist result in the Open Board at the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships.

What piece of FLORENCE gear do you test the most?

For the piece of FLORENCE gear I test the most, it's a tie between the Cordura Airtex Boardshort and the Sleeveless Utility Pocket Rashguard. I use them both every time I'm out in the ocean training, and I love how lightweight they are and how good the pockets are for holding nutrition and safety equipment while I'm battling the elements.

What is the next challenge for you in the outdoors?

Looking ahead, I have two big challenges next in the outdoors: going into the professional ironseries as rank 1 for this season—where we have racing almost every weekend across the whole summer in all surf conditions in events that range from 3 hours to 3 minutes—and challenging myself to learn to SUP downwind foil so I can get to the M2O foil race next year.