Watch: Derek Ho Interview

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
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One year after Derek's Ho death, Tim Bonython has released this video interview taped back in 2005.

The footage was originally taped for an unrealised documentary project called 'What Is Surfing?', yet it happened to fit a later project of Tim's, the 2012 film 'Immersion'.

On the first anniversary of Ho's death, Tim has released the section of him speaking to camera, covering a wide range of topics from surfers he competed against to the spirit of surfing.

(Homepage photo taken by Sean Davey)

Comments

Polly2's picture
Polly2's picture
Polly2 Monday, 26 Jul 2021 at 3:46pm

thanks stu, it’s so uplifting to hear stories from the role models you grew up looking up to.Certainly made my day in lockdown worthwhile.
champion

megzee's picture
megzee's picture
megzee Monday, 26 Jul 2021 at 4:12pm

Yep.....Great to hear DH's profound respect for his family and peers.....especially Ronnie Burns who was an absolute legend......
No disrespect, but the head movements during the interview tells an underlying tale........sort of reminded me of a mate of mine who developed some very bad habits.....
RIP Derek.......Legend surfer no matter what..

fitzfoo61's picture
fitzfoo61's picture
fitzfoo61 Thursday, 29 Jul 2021 at 3:53pm

Absolute legend he was....Style,poise,less was more, from the great man.I think Ronnie was of the same affliction as you mentioned about DH...Bloody shame......
Both all time greats....."Old school"s still COOL!!!!"

ringmaster's picture
ringmaster's picture
ringmaster Monday, 26 Jul 2021 at 4:59pm

Interesting interview and yeah.........Derek fidgety to the point of distraction for me.

"Are we done?" right at the end was a giveaway.

Different world some of those blokes live / lived in.

JackStance's picture
JackStance's picture
JackStance Monday, 26 Jul 2021 at 6:49pm

What a good fella.
got to meet him after he won the world title at pipe in 93
I was 16, how time flys.

goofyfoot's picture
goofyfoot's picture
goofyfoot Monday, 26 Jul 2021 at 7:48pm

He's tweaking hard! Cooked! You see guys like that jumping around out the front of K-Mart down here.
Reminds me of some interviews I've seen Andy do.

SI's picture
SI's picture
SI Tuesday, 27 Jul 2021 at 10:43am

Truly remarkable interview! So raw and honestly human and gracious. He carried so much and stayed strong and gracious to the end. Inspiring person. Thanks for your work again Swellnet and Tim.

Kham's picture
Kham's picture
Kham Saturday, 31 Jul 2021 at 10:52pm

Well said SI. I like that Tim released this footage despite knowing that there would be negative comments on Dereks mannerisms. It is not up to us to comment on anything but his surfing and beautiful Aloha spirit. Thanks Tim.

PCS PeterPan's picture
PCS PeterPan's picture
PCS PeterPan Tuesday, 27 Jul 2021 at 1:43pm

Thanks to all for making this available to view . Absolute North Shore hero of mine . Sad to see so many of our tribe maligned by other "pursuits" when the surf isnt pumping .
Humble and gracious to the end .

Johan Wohlleben's picture
Johan Wohlleben's picture
Johan Wohlleben Wednesday, 28 Jul 2021 at 12:56am

So good. Plenty of aloha there!

matt.evans's picture
matt.evans's picture
matt.evans Wednesday, 28 Jul 2021 at 4:09am

That was really great. Thanks for posting it!
Loved his takes on family, respect, aloha, and especially Ronnie Burns

memlasurf's picture
memlasurf's picture
memlasurf Wednesday, 28 Jul 2021 at 4:06pm

Yeah the gear got a hold on a few of them which is a really sad when you see how great they were. Buttons from the era before was an amazing surfer and it took a couple of decades for the world to digest it I reckon. He was really destroyed by excess which cut his career too short.

wallpaper's picture
wallpaper's picture
wallpaper Wednesday, 28 Jul 2021 at 6:18pm

Wouldn't say he was 'destroyed'. He was still surfing really well and enjoying life as he got older and wiser but that lung cancer didn't do him any favours at the end.

Dirt Track's picture
Dirt Track's picture
Dirt Track Wednesday, 28 Jul 2021 at 8:06pm

Agree, surfed pretty decent Puaena point with Buttons the year before he died. Gave us a lesson on how to take it on.

Actually his real carer was teaching kids to surf. Countless Keiki's caught their first wave at Chuns reef lifted up by Buttons on the front of tandem board.

Tim Bonython's picture
Tim Bonython's picture
Tim Bonython Friday, 30 Jul 2021 at 7:25pm

Including my son Maxim.

drodders's picture
drodders's picture
drodders Saturday, 31 Jul 2021 at 8:31am

I loved that, it’s like watching Mason, family ties are incredible