Occy Wins Trials ’85

Mid 80’s Occy was on fire. He was the first Cronulla rider since Bobby Brown to really have a major impact on competitive surfing. This shot winning the Beaurepaires Trials at Elouera aged 17.

Occy and Dog

1986 at The Pro Junior at Narrabeen two Southside surfers Mark Occilupo and childhood friend Richard Marsh went toe to toe in the final. Both Goofyfoots, both ride for Billabong, both from Kurnell it was a classic showdown. Dog took the first set and Occy came back strong to win the next two and his 2nd Pro Junior crown. At the presso Dog received more than he bargained for when he was given a electric shock when he held the microphone. Photo Waves.

 

Occy and Peak Wetsuits

Occy’s rise to power in the early years of his career was helped along considerably by his sponsor Peak Wetsuits. Peak snavelled up Mark  as a grom and it was only when the Raging Bull signed 100% with Billabong that the two parted company. This shot taken by Peter Simons was snapped at Wanda Beach around the mid 80’s.

Cover Shots Surfing Magazine

Heres the cover of three Surfing magazines featuring local boys gaining worldwide exposure. Nov Issue ’78 featuring Popout and Greg Melhuish.Jim Banks Pipe barrel April 81 and Occy Nov ’84.

Occy ’83

Occy was out this day at Midway, this was when he was just starting to blow up riding his Banksy and sponsored by Peak. It was only small but clean and he was surfing a left rip bowl. I swam out and first wave he was right on top of me, I don’t even know if he knew I was there. Anyway the smart thing to do was to dive under the wave or risk having my head taken off. Well I must have been feeling extra stupid this day as he hit the lip I snapped it with my Nikonos as he sailed overhead. When he landed I felt his fins just brush my back as I tried to get away. Another near miss . Words and photos Chris Stroh.

 

Occy Versus Voodoo

This arvo at Vooey was massive. It looked 8 to 10 feet from shore when Occy paddled out. He made it almost out the back when the horizon went dark. Smurf had just walked all the way out along the beach from Cronulla Point with his board tucked under his arm and as we watched this humongous set caught Occy inside. My guess it had to be 12ft or more. He got pumped by the first wave which snapped his legrope. He then copped around 5 more set waves  on the head and was washed towards the bend. For a while it was pretty sketchy. His board had disappeared  and Occy was heading out to sea in the rip towards the reefs. Luckily he braved it and made a dash towards the rocky shoreline past the bend. If another set like that last one hit he would have been history as he scrambled to safety. Its the biggest waves I had ever seen at Voodoo. I didn’t get any photos of the set, only the aftermath. That’s Occy and another surfer after surviving a good old Vooey beat down…Words and photo Chris Stroh early to mid 80’s.

 

Bong Boys

This is definitely the colourful early 80’s when Occy, Banksy and unknown Alley grom graced the pages of Tracks in a Billabong adv. Photo Uncredited.

 

Occy @ Home

Occy grew up surfing the reefs around Cronulla and its no wonder that he formed a love for powerful waves right here at home with so much wave grunt on offer. I shot this pic with my Century 650 lens by wading out to the rocks just off from the right which was cut off by the higher tide. This position allowed we to get close enough and a different low angle. Words and pic by Chris Stroh around ’84. 

 

The Occster

The Peak wetty and Rusty Surfboard era. Occy in all his youthful glory, blitzing the surfing world with his prowess and freaky skills. Snapped at Elouera around the mid 80’s by Stroh

Occy Wins Pro Junior

When Occy won the Pro Junior contest at Narrabeen it was a forgone conclusion. He had already made a huge impact on the ASP World Tour with one of the most spectacular debut performances at the Straight Talk at Cronulla. Winning the most prestigious Junior comp in the world was the start of his rise to the top. Photo Stroh Circa mid 80s.