it’s good to see some of the japanese boys here on the north shore. back in the bubble days (10-15 years ago), there use to be 40 or japanese pro surfers all over the north shore. these past 5 years, i’ve seen the numbers going down because of the bad economy. so in the year of the 2011/2012 winter season, there will be only a few japanese surfers in hawaii trying to make a living and continue their dreams. i respect all these guys, and their sponsors. if you can send your rider to hawaii to pursue his or her dream in times like this, i totally respect you! JPSA Champion Izuki Tanaka at work at rocky point.

i knew Kaito Ohashi before he even started to surf. he was a super shy kid back then, and still is now. but when you throw this super shy kid on a surfboard, there’s nothing to be shy about. great kid, great surfer, and great kid. yeah, i said great kid twice and i mean it.

Mar Ohno has to be the best world class surfer to come out of japan. i went on a trip with him to tahiti 15 years ago and he was only a young boy back then. i saw his potential in his surfing, and his motivation in his eyes to become a top international pro surfer. i remember telling him back then, “learn how to fight, take karate or something, and go out and fight for your waves around the world.” this kid was just too nice to do that. haha. everybody till this day asks me “why isn’t Mar Ohno in the Top 44 of the world?” i tell them, “because he’s just too nice.” if he was an animal and caught as many waves as his competitors, he would be freaking hard to beat. now i’m glad he didn’t listen to me because he’s one of the most liked japanese surfers in the world.

daughter of multiple Triple Crown Champion Michael Ho, niece of World Champion Derek Ho, and brother of young gun Mason Ho, Coco Ho is a major threat in any size and conditions. great to watch these young kids growing up and representing their countries in a good way.
Photos: Gordinho