Coco Ho has plenty of style. And grace. Photo: Ryan Miller
The apple does not fall far from the tree, and Coco Ho is no exception. The 2009 WSL rookie of the year and seasoned freesurfer can do it all on a surfboard while making it look cool. Whether it’s graceful high lines on a twinnie or packing a pit at Pipe, Coco is the queen of style. But style and the Ho family name are synonymous. I caught up with Coco to figure out where all that style comes from in the Ho family.
Surfers have a wide range when it comes to defining style. What does style in surfing mean to you?
I’d like to hope style in surfing is just true self expression. Everyone has their quirks, signature turns or body movements. You’re not really thinking about what you look like. The best part about it is style in surfing most often directly reflects someone’s personality on land whether that be radical, put together, unpredictable, feminine, graceful, even contrived comes out – haha! Style in surfing is something you can’t hide.
Who were your style influences and why?
I have a theory that however you surf by 9 or 10 years old is a big part of your style whether you watch Tom Curren all day or not and that’s the best part. Mason and I fully still surf like we did as mini-groms. But of course growing up we watched surf movies all day and you want to emulate your heroes. I was always pretending to be Lisa Andersen or Rochelle Ballard. When I rode a longer board I would always try to calm down and channel my Aunty Rell Sunn.
Who has the best style in surfing right now and why?
This is major preference! I could name a hundred people I love to watch surf – I could also name a few I don’t prefer to watch on my own time, haha!
Do certain waves change a surfer’s style? How about small surf versus big surf?
Absolutely. I think really small waves bring out certain flaws or “tendencies” that might not be as appeasing on the eye. As do big waves if someone is hesitant or uncomfortable depending how big it is. Seems like four foot is where you’d discover everyone’s truest form or style. Wave pools also.
Does style change in freesurfing versus competition?
For sure. There is an urgency in competition surfing – sometimes good or sometimes bad. Mason used to always tell me to get more amped up in heats and sometimes I’d do the best surfing of my life. Now I tell Steph (Gilmore) all the time how gnarly she looks when she’s fired up and fiesty in a jersey.
Coco definitely has an ease about her. That’s stylish in our book. Photo: Julian Martin
Is there any maneuver that’s unstylish in surfing right now that’s popular?
There is definitely a good layback and a really bad one
How about airs…what makes a stylish air?
Again…major preference. I can’t say I’m not very entertained by the crazy airs I can’t even name that the kids are doing right now but straight airs do seem to show everyone true colors if we’re talking about style.
In general, how important is hand placement when surfing? The most stylish people look like birds, their hands in a variety of winged-like positions. Is this intentional or just a natural expression?
Haha! Hand placement is everything. I used to hate when my arms looked like a wild bird… then I realized that is the most crucial part of how you initiate or start your turn – that is the exact moment that sets everyone apart and gives everyone a style of their own. If any two surfers are comparable in the style conversation it’s probably because they have the same arm tendencies. I don’t even know how, maybe it’s body type thing, but that’s where Mason and I can sometimes look like our Dad. It’s really freaky.
Does style extend beyond pure surfing?
For sure! Board and outfit choice again is a direct reflection of someone’s personality. Trying to match has always been something I was into. On a school day if my clothes didn’t match I’d feel really off – and sometimes I feel like that in the surf. I’m getting better at letting that superstition go as my boards are very colorful nowadays and I never know what I’m going to ride but you can almost guarantee I thought about what suit to wear based on my board choice!
