HIROTO OHHARA

While it’s too early in his dazzling career to rank Hiroto Ohhara among the all-time greats of Japanese surfing, at just 20 years old, he’s certainly on the right track.

Born and bred in Chiba, Japan, Hiroto’s abilities exploded onto the world stage in 2015 when he completed a fairytale run from the trials to the podium at the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach. From Surf City Japan to Surf City USA, the kid with lightning fast rail work and an incredible aerial strike rate had well and truly arrived, becoming the first Japanese surfer ever to win the coveted QS 10,000.

Now, in 2017, Hiroto’s dedicated himself to improving every facet of his surfing with long stints in Hawaii and Australia, while still continuing to build his seed on the WSL’s Qualifying Series. Quick, polished, and surprisingly powerful, Hiroto’s risen to the upper echelons of the QS, thanks in no small part to an impressive performance at the Australian Open in Sydney, and a win nearby on the Central Coast.

Having dialed in his boards with JS for over three years now, Hiroto constantly sets new benchmarks for his performances in all types of waves. From dominating on his HYFIs at home, to riding his favourite Performer Series models around the world, he’s got his eyes on making the jump onto next year’s Championship Tour to set another first-ever for Japanese surfers and test himself against the world’s best.

But, perhaps most exciting of all for Hiroto, is another event further down the line. Surfing’s first ever inclusion in the Olympics is due for Tokyo 2020, and the host venue just happens to be Hiroto’s home town – Chiba.

Career Highlights:

• 2017 - 1st, Hurley Pro Trials (CT qualifier) 
• 2017 - 1nd, Kommunity Project Central Coast Pro (QS 1,000)
2015 - 1st, US Open of Surfing (QS 10,000)

Sponsors:
JS Industries, Hurley, Monster Energy, Oakley, FCS