Mark Occhilupo

Mark Occhilupo

Mark Occhilupo was born on June 16, 1966 in Kurnell, New South Wales. Mark began surfing at age 9, winning his first amateur contest at 13, followed by two Cadet titles. While still in high school, he ventured further into pro surfing as an ASP trialist, securing a spot in the top 16 and a seed for the following year. In 1984, the 17 year-old rose to the top of the ASP rankings and beginning a famous professional rivalry with surfing legend Tom Curren and staring in the Hollywood cult-classic North Shore. Occy, plagued by personal demons, quit the World Tour in the early 1990s. Out of the spotlight he regained his equilibrium, and in 1999 made one of sporting’s greatest comebacks, capturing the world title at age 33. With four major victories on the world tour, including prestigious wins at Bells Beach and Teahupoo, Occy remains a household name throughout Australia and one of surfing’s most celebrated veterans.