Uploaded April 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
For more than 40 years, we've been making gear for one of surfing's greatest gifts: the inimitable Mark Occhilupo.
As his unique approach to riding a wave has arguably inspired more "cover bands" than any other surfer in modern times, Occy claims he's always evolving. "The best style to me," he says, "is no style at all."
Mark Occhilupo's influence on surfing - especially for the legions of goofyfoots who came after him - is immeasurable. That said, he remains on his own personal style journey, from brash young upstart in the early '80s to the surf-as-you-feel flow-master he is today.
As part of our Five Decades celebration, we walk through some definitive eras in his surfing and get his take on them now:
*00:00 - Phase 1: The Early Years*
“After looking over the footage from this time, my arms are actually all over the place. It wasn’t until Gordon brought me up to the Gold Coast when I really learned how to smooth out my style.” - Mark Occhilupo
*00:52 - Phase 2: Occy V. Curren*
“It wasn’t until I saw Tom Curren come. I really loved the way he surfed and wanted to surf like that.” - Mark Occhilupo
*01:50 - Phase 3: Set Free*
“I surfed perfect waves, which made me fall in love with surfing again.” - Mark Occhilupo
*02:22 - Phase 4: Unbeatable*
“All that time filming with Jack in those perfect waves got me in prime form for the Dream Tour. I was actually practicing for those events years before I ever knew I was going to get to them.” - Mark Occhilupo
*03:22 - Phase 5: Forever Fired Up*
“These are the twilight years, the really good years. Every session is a blessing, and that’s what keeps me psyched.” - Mark Occhilupo
Learn about 50 Years of Billabong here: bit.ly/3Z32oaT
Subscribe to Billabong for more videos: youtube.com/user/billabong
Visit billabong.com for the latest athlete news or follow us on social for up to the minute updates:
Instagram | instagram.com/billabong
Facebook | facebook.com/Billabong
Threads | threads.net/@billabong
TikTok | tiktok.com/@billabong
For more than 40 years, we've been making gear for one of surfing's greatest gifts: the inimitable Mark Occhilupo.
As his unique approach to riding a wave has arguably inspired more "cover bands" than any other surfer in modern times, Occy claims he's always evolving. "The best style to me," he says, "is no style at all."
Mark Occhilupo's influence on surfing - especially for the legions of goofyfoots who came after him - is immeasurable. That said, he remains on his own personal style journey, from brash young upstart in the early '80s to the surf-as-you-feel flow-master he is today.
As part of our Five Decades celebration, we walk through some definitive eras in his surfing and get his take on them now:
*00:00 - Phase 1: The Early Years*
“After looking over the footage from this time, my arms are actually all over the place. It wasn’t until Gordon brought me up to the Gold Coast when I really learned how to smooth out my style.” - Mark Occhilupo
*00:52 - Phase 2: Occy V. Curren*
“It wasn’t until I saw Tom Curren come. I really loved the way he surfed and wanted to surf like that.” - Mark Occhilupo
*01:50 - Phase 3: Set Free*
“I surfed perfect waves, which made me fall in love with surfing again.” - Mark Occhilupo
*02:22 - Phase 4: Unbeatable*
“All that time filming with Jack in those perfect waves got me in prime form for the Dream Tour. I was actually practicing for those events years before I ever knew I was going to get to them.” - Mark Occhilupo
*03:22 - Phase 5: Forever Fired Up*
“These are the twilight years, the really good years. Every session is a blessing, and that’s what keeps me psyched.” - Mark Occhilupo
Learn about 50 Years of Billabong here: bit.ly/3Z32oaT
Subscribe to Billabong for more videos: youtube.com/user/billabong
Visit billabong.com for the latest athlete news or follow us on social for up to the minute updates:
Instagram | instagram.com/billabong
Facebook | facebook.com/Billabong
Threads | threads.net/@billabong
TikTok | tiktok.com/@billabong
