Stab Magazine | The Pick Up: Mason Ho Is The Personality The North Shore Deserves
619 Views

The Pick Up: Mason Ho Is The Personality The North Shore Deserves

Shrouded in adoration. 

vtcs // Dec 7, 2017
Words by stab
Reading Time: < 1 minute

Name your five favorite surfers to watch, give them a once-over, and if you don’t see Mason Ho on that list, consider beige. Because Mason Ho is, almost objectively, one of the most creatively talented gents in the sport. Ever since the old …Lost movies where Mason dissected Rocky Point alongside forgotten-shredder Alex King, it was clear the Ho kid had something special. The natural talent was a product of his bloodline, but the way Mason looked at a wave was wholly his own. 

Over the past six-to-eight years, Mason has starred in (and produced) a myriad of web clips of and full-length films that showcase his unique surfing vision. Some things we’ve come to learn is that he’s a big fan of rocks, he can do rodeos on command, he surfs waves and surfboards of all shapes and sizes with equal aplomb, and perhaps most notably, he holds a deep respect for the generations of surfers that came before him, often paying tribute to his father with a patented look-down and high back-arm in waves of consequence. 

Mason’s most endearing trait is his stream-of-consciousness articulation, which is often self-deprecating and is always entertaining. Mason is one of few who can make people laugh without being divisive or offensive in his words – an incredibly rare talent. Between his post-heat interviews, his surfing, and general stoke, Mason re-refreshes the Hawaiian season. 

Footage courtesy of Rory Pringle, drone footage by Eric Sterman, additional footage by the WSL.

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

How To: Quit Professional Surfing

At what point do you walk away from the endless QS > CS > CT…

Mar 17, 2026

Why Did 50 Men Just March Into The Sahara With Surfboards And Moroccan Flags?

The story of a decades-old feud and the desert wave it exposed.

Mar 15, 2026

Meet The 2026 Qualifying Class

The CS is done; the CT begins in two weeks.

Mar 15, 2026

SEOTY: Imaikalani deVault Stars In ‘Little Bits’

"He pretty much got to the CT on talent alone.”

Mar 13, 2026

JJF + Dane Reynolds Recall The Best Session Of Their Lives

"It felt like you could do anything you wanted.”

Mar 13, 2026

86% Of Women’s CS Qualifiers Are Currently From Europe

Who are 'Euroforce Femme' and where did they come from?

Mar 11, 2026

Watch: Episode One Of ‘VELA’ Featuring John John Florence

A perfect empty right, a shallow empty left, and one 3x World Champ.

Mar 11, 2026

Unlocked: Brody Mulik Stars In ‘fourteen.’

Homeschooled at The Box and Tombies, the fifteen-year-old might be Western Australia's best student.

Mar 11, 2026

Watch: Patti Zhou In Her Element(s)

Snow, water, but mostly air.

Mar 11, 2026

Watch: Quiksilver’s King Of The Groms Final

Kash Brown, Mananalu Chandler, Brody Mulik, and Dylan Donegan try to freesurf their way into…

Mar 11, 2026

Ethan Ewing: The Next Stab In The Dark Star

Back to first principles, with modern horsepower.

Mar 10, 2026

Where Are Surfing’s Next Male Superstars?

Young women are dominating pro surfing, while the men’s tour ages. Why?

Mar 9, 2026

John Florence Is About To Capture The Attention Of The Entire Surf World (Again)

This is why the 3x World Champ won't be returning to the tour.

Mar 9, 2026

Do It For Your Postcode

Pros and Joes delivered a thrilling ABB Grand Final, in a format that remains undefeated.

Mar 9, 2026

A Dane Reynolds Extended Cut Of Craig Anderson + Ben Howard In Chile

*Instantly adds Defective Units Vol.1 soundtrack to Spotify playlist.*

Mar 8, 2026

Those Who Can’t Remember The Past Are Doomed To Repeat It

A second Newcastle Challenger preview — and a CT qualification update.

Mar 8, 2026

Dan Mann Won Stab In The Dark X — Now What?

Was Kelly Slater handed a frozen envelope?

Mar 7, 2026

Profile: Taro Kelly Slater Watanabe

Brad Gerlach, Jon Pyzel and Quinn Graham on the 23yo from Topanga.

Mar 7, 2026
Advertisement