Mason Ho’s First Run At Teahupo’o Was Absolutely Savage 

Shortly before the Olympics this season, 16-YO Kauaian goofyfoot Jacob Turner was unearthed to the surf world following his stellar first run at the hollow left Tahitian reef pass, Teahupo’o. 

“I haven’t seen anyone that young be that keen for heavy waves in a decade,” said Shane Dorian, after witnessing his composed masochism at the break for the best part of three weeks. Adding, “when a big gnarly one comes, he’ll whip it if no one else wants it — and he’s very good technically.”

High praise from the big wave paddle GOAT.

Local photog Tim Mckenna backed him in too, “He’s been the talk of the town for the last couple of weeks for sure, everybody’s tripping. To come straight off the plane for his first time here and surf like that — I’ve never seen that before. I’ve lived in Tahiti for 20 years, I’ve been shooting Teahupo’o for nearly 30, and I haven’t seen someone connect like that since Andy Irons really.”

For his efforts Jacob received much more affirmation online and a part in the forthcoming Snapt5 film by Logan Dulien – set to be released next year. 

But let’s not allow our short-circuited attention spans to forget about Mason Ho’s equally remarkable first outing to the same venue almost a decade ago with his back against the wall. 

TGSMITU director Nick Pollet explains, “Back in 2016 I traveled to Tahiti on a surf trip with Mase. We had just come off a Rip Curl Search trip when a swell came for Teahupo’o. Mason’s boards didn’t arrive so he had to surf huge Teahupo’o for the first time on a borrowed old board.”

Savage.