For Mason Ho, Teahupo’o is a rather “normal” wave. There aren’t any rocks protruding from the water, no cliffs to graze, and no backwash to launch off of. But, apparently, the shallow, sharp coral reef just below the surf provides enough adrenaline to psych him up.
As the North Shore season dwindles into summer, Ho looked to the South Pacific for surf, and it’s hard to go wrong with the reef passes of Tahiti. Teahupo’o was what the locals might call “fun-sized” — treacherous for the average Joe, but tubes just big enough to keep the locals and visiting pros entertained.
Ho made the Teahupo’o barrels look easy on his backhand, playing around with different body positions behind the curtain. He took a few good wipeouts, too, a package deal with a surf session at the famed left.
Next week is looking like it’s going to be active in the South Pacific. Expect some more plus-sized Tahiti content coming soon.
