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JOHN JOHN FLORENCE

[ FOUNDER & ORIGINAL TEST PILOT / OAHU ]

TEST PILOTS IN THE FIELD

A GLOBAL R&D COMMUNITY

TEST PILOTS INFORMING RIGOROUS PRODUCT STANDARDS

JOHN JOHN FLORENCE

Founder and Original Test Pilot
North Shore, Oahu

NATHAN FLORENCE

Professional Surfer
North Shore, Oahu

IVAN FLORENCE

Surfer, Skater, Snowboarder
North Shore, Oahu

TOA PERE

Long Distance Paddler & Surfer
North Shore, Oahu

JACK BARK

World Champion Paddler & Endurance Athlete
Torrance, California

ERIK KNUTSON

Head of Cinematography, Parallel Sea
North Shore, Oahu

RYLAND HART

Professional Paddler & Waterman
Oahu

KAIWI BERRY

Big Wave Surfer & Shark Diver
North Shore, Oahu

LACHIE LANSDOWN

World Champion Paddler & Lifeguard
Noosa, Australia

HOW TO BECOME A TEST PILOT

CYCLES + HOW TEST PILOTS ARE SELECTED
We run several test pilot cycles per year. The gear is always different, and it can be either a prototype or an existing piece of equipment we may be looking to improve. 

A question we get often is: how are Test Pilots selected? It isn’t a science, and each cycle is different, but there are some requirements and certain things we look for in potential candidates.

REQUIREMENTS TO JOIN
- You must be a Florence member
- You must have applied to be part of the Test Pilot program.

THINGS WE LOOK FOR
- A passion for the outdoors and/or sport. 

- Being an engaged member of our social community, or the Florence Discord. 

- Members who’ve left multiple, thoughtful reviews on our gear.

- Legends who absolutely send it.

From there, our selection process is fun. We narrow down candidates, get insight and recommendations from our founder John Florence, and we select the crew. 

If you’re not selected, the good news is you don’t have to apply again – you’re already in the pool and will be considered each cycle.

PAST TEST PILOT CYCLES

April 2025

October 2024

August 2024

April 2024

February 2024

November 2023

June 2023

April 2023

February 2023

July 2022

June 2022

February 2022

February 2022

June 2021