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Trestles Expression Session: Hawaii's Michael Ho
WSL
The Hurley Pro at Trestles will host a Heritage Series expression session, featuring a group of legendary surfers including Hawaiian Michael Ho. Growing up on Oahu, he developed a fearless approach to big surf which helped him become a Pipe Masters Champion and two-time winner of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing (1983 and 1985).
Many consider Ho and his brother Derek icons on the North Shore, but none more so than his children, Championship Tour (CT) surfer Coco Ho and Qualifying Series surfer Mason Ho. Before he hits the lineup at Lowers, Ho discussed surfing's new age.
World Surf League: What was the most significant moment in your surfing career?
Michael Ho: Making it to the Final at the 1972 World Contest at Ocean beach -- 15 years old, [I got] 5th place. It was my first major event showing, made me realize I could [compete].
WSL: Out of the expression session athletes, who was your biggest rival and why?
Ho: Shaun Tomson (ZAF). It started at the first Stubbies Pro in Burleigh Heads. Everyone picked heats out of a hat, I drew Shaun he got the nod on a controversial call since then it was game on. I've had heats at Sunset beach where he would paddle me to Backyards to hold the inside position -- it's still on.
See who Shaun Tomson considers his biggest rival.
WSL: Who inspired you the most in your career?
Ho: Mark Richards. He was the contest machine. He knew how to win and that was my goal. He also was one of the most humble guys in and out of the water.
WSL: You were key to "creating" pro surfing. What do you think about the state of professional surfing in 2015?
Ho: The state of professional surfing is at an all-time high. There are incredibly talented surfers on Tour, but in my opinion the field in the events is a little bit too limited with all the talent that's out there.
See how Cheyne Horan sees modern surfing.
WSL: Who do you think will win the World Title in 2015?
Ho: Can't choose. It's going to boil down to the Pipe Masters.
WSL: What was the toughest moment in your career?
Ho: Many tough moments in competition. Traveling to South Africa, Brazil, and Europe losing first-round heats -- that was tough.
Rabbit Bartholomew on surfing, then and now.
WSL: What's one thing you know now that you wish you'd known as a young competitor?
Ho: No regrets, I love it. I'm still learning, still surfing, I had fun my entire career and stoked my family does it and is enjoying it as much as I did.
The WSL sat down with several different surfing legends to discuss the upcoming Trestles Expression Session at the Hurley Pro and Swatch Women's Pro at Lower Trestles. Don't miss the interviews with Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew, Shaun Tomson, Simon Anderson, Michael Ho, Cheyne Horan, Ian Cairns and Mark Richards. And catch every second of this years unique Expression Session LIVE on worldsurfleague.com and the WSL App.
Michael Ho
One of surfing's all-time legends sits down to talk us through the best wave he's ever sent it on at a wave he's spent a lifetime mastering.
Former World Champion Mark Richards joins Todd Kline to look at some archive footage from the surf legends in the Hurley Pro Expression
A look at the legends set to hit the lineup for the Heritage Heat and men's Expression Session at the Hurley Pro at Trestles.
See which men's and women's surfing icons will hit the lineup in Lowers Trestles for a heat and expression session you don't want to miss.
All the news that's fit to hashtag for the week of February 2, 2015.
Heritage Series
Before her heat against Lisa Andersen, see how Mulanovich views the competitive landscape, then and now.
Simon Anderson talks his rivalry with Michael Ho and why Shaun Tomson is his biggest inspiration.
Former World Champion Ian Cairns talks big moments and matchups from surfing career.
See what former CT surfer and Big Wave charger Cheyne Horan has to say about his career, his peers and the state of pro surfing.