Mason Ho Reveals he Worst Wipeout of His Life

Originally posted on SURFER | By Zander Morton | Last updated Nov 12, 2024 1:30 PM ET

When you think about the worst wipeout of Mason Ho’s life, what comes to mind? A mistimed bottom turn at flexing first reef Pipeline? A late drop at 25-foot Waimea? Considering Ho’s been throwing himself over the ledge at the scariest waves around Oahu for over two decades, it would make sense if he’s taken the beating of his life out at one of ‘em.

Apparently not. In this new clip from Rip Curl, Ho recounts the worst wipeout he can remember, and surprisingly it happened during a 3-foot day at a wave on Oahu’s North Shore, aptly named Rockpile.

"I just remember I took off on this wave and it looked like the most perfect wave ever,” remembers Ho. “When I took off, I was like, ‘oh no, the rocks!’ My board was going in and I remember I was 100 percent gonna hit my face on the rocks.”

If you’re a big fan of Ho (you are), you know he’s a big fan of marginally rideable waves, especially ones with exposed rocks and/or reef. For Ho, if there’s a will, there’s a wave, something he’s proven time and again all around the world. But back to the wipeout.

“So, at the last minute I just turn. I figured it’s the fastest thing. I just turn my head and the reef hits it perfectly — a pinnacle hit, like directly in the back of my head. It was like ‘boom’ and I grabbed my head. I knew it was staples. All I could think was ‘don’t knock out, don’t knock out.’ When I came up everything was a little pink. And I was like ‘whoa, pink.’ Like I was like ‘this is cool, but this ain't good.’"

Fortunately for Ho, the WSL comp at Sunset was happening just down the road, so he was able to jump in the back of a friends truck and quickly get staples put in the back of his head to stop the bleeding. Not to be deterred by one scary slam, Ho still shoots that little cluster of rocks whenever conditions allow. And we still love him for it.

This article first appeared on SURFER and was syndicated with permission.

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