Derek Ho (September 26, 1964)
It all began with the Hawaiians thousands of years ago. From the tiny archipelago, where kings and commoners practiced the ancient pastime, surfing spread globally in the 20th century.
As professionalism caught hold over the past years, the Hawaiians were competitive, but the world champions came from Australia, South Africa and the mainland United States. It was like teaching your kid to surf and watching him leave you groveling in the whitewash. It would be 1993 before the injustice was righted.
Derek Kaleiki Ho was born in Kailua on Oahu to Chico and Joeine Ho, first cousin to Don Ho. Chico was one of the original Waikiki beach boys, so there was no question his offspring would surf. His older brother Michael was among the first wave of professionals in the mid-'70s, finishing in the Top 16 for 10 straight years.
Derek began surfing at age three and became a fixture at wind-whipped Sandy Beach before graduating to the better spots along the South Shore. While Michael Ho was serious about competition, Derek showed promise, but instead found trouble with a rough crew from Kailua High School. He often landed in police custody for petty thievery and reached a crossroad when placed in a correctional center at age 18. It was either find direction or go to prison.
North Shore godfather Brian Suratt intervened and got Derek to Japan for the 1982 Marui Open. Derek made the semifinals and found his calling -- to bring the professional world title to Hawaii.
On his first full season, Ho made the top 30, earning a main event seed. He shone in all conditions, winning events over the next several years in tiny Japanese dribblers and monstrous Pipe cylinders.
In 1985, he joined Michael in the Top 16, the first siblings ever to do so. His mastery at the Gotcha Pro, held at his familiar Sandy Beach, wasn't even fair to the other surfers. At Pipeline, he assumed Gerry Lopez's lofty mantle, claiming three Pipe Masters titles and any wave he wanted. He was runner-up to Martin Potter for the world title in 1989 and finished fourth two other years.
By 1993, his career seemed to be winding down. Kelly Slater had arrived on the scene, winning the previous world title and getting better still. Ho was 29 years old and seeded 36th -- his lowest ranking since joining the tour. But during the season, he hung tough, not killing it, just staying consistent.
It came down to the final event of the season, at brutal 8-foot Pipe. Seven title contenders still in the hunt -- Potter, Slater, Damien Hardman, Dave Macaulay, Rob Machado, Gary Elkerton and Ho. By the semis, it was Elkerton and Ho. Thanks to Ho's fellow Hawaiian Larry Rios, Elkerton went down, and Ho became Hawaii's first male professional champion. A host of great Hawaiian competitors -- from Larry Bertlemann to Dane Kealoha to Michael Ho -- came up short and hopes were already being heaped on Sunny Garcia, Shane Dorian and Kalani Robb, but it was Ho who came through.
Derek hung around on the WCT for a few more years until a severe laceration from a wipeout while warming up at the Quiksilver G-Land Pro in 1997 nearly ended his surfing career. The setback kept him landlocked for close to a year, but he returned to competition with an injury wildcard the following year. He finished his ASP career in 1998 with nine Top 16 finishes, one short of brother Michael.
Still residing on the North Shore with wife Tanya and children Mason and Coco, he competes in HPAC events and at Pipe. But even if he never wins another heat, Ho can rest on his laurels. If only for a year, he delivered the crown to his ancestors. -- Jason Borte
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