THE DAY OCCY CHANGED SURFING - JULY 21, 1984 JBAY

July 21, 1984 was a day that goes down in surfing history.
The J-Bay Open Country Feeling J-Bay Surf Classic was held at Supertubes, Jeffrey's bay, East Cape, South Africa, on the newly formed ASP (WSL) World Tour.
Mark Occhilupo, an 18-year-old from Cronulla, NSW, won the event unleashing a backside attack that changed the game on tour and around the world.
His coach at the time, Derek Hynd exclaimed: "Those there to witness it left with the impression they weren’t just watching the best surfing ever-they were witnessing the best surfing that might ever be. In my notebook, I had to invent new codes for what he was doing.”
Occy sported his now-iconic pink, and blue short-sleeved Peak, was riding riding a thick, boxy, low rocker Rusty thruster, and was only a few weeks from stating his infamous quote, "“Now I want to get real and stop these American wankers”," in Australia's Tracks Magazine.
The mid-1980s was a time of a clash in generations on tour with Curren and Occy leading the new guard. Lifelong great sporting rivalries were being born amongst future world champs and the l
level of surfing on tour was being transformed forever.
Music:
Lime Spiders
INXS
video by @tonyrobertsphoto
Sources:
Cronulla Surf Museum
Jim Hayes
Ian Fitzpatrick
#REALSURFSTORIES #surfhistory #daysthatchangedsurfing

[@kenton6098]

I’m not a surfer, so what was so radical about this? Looks to me like he’s making the same moves many surfers make.

[@RealSurfStories]

in 1984 no one was surfing backside like this. The genius in his approach is not only the moves but how he links them together with so much power. Also his style is very unique. Contest surfing at it's best is top level performance mixed with individuality- stretching the constraints of the competitive format.

[@DwainDwight]

I am a surfer & grew up watching this guy as a kid, he was top level. But I don't think he changed surfing forever. he did get many peoples attention though.

[@RealSurfStories]

​@@DwainDwight He definitely changed pro surfing and judging criteria.

[@robertorristefansson6000]

Ha ha ha wow what a question

[@eyecyou8511]

If you were a surfer, you would know....... It's not explainable to people like you .

[@savagegfry]

Occy left a pair of those "aviators" on a pump, at the Shell servo, in Caringbah, just down Port Hacking Road. I was working a second job there, and couldn't afford some smick sunnies like that, so thanks Occy! 🤙🤝

[@RealSurfStories]

CLASSIC!

[@rustymoran7484]

Haha sweet. I filled up there many times. If I only had $10 on me, it was $9.20 for petty plus 80c for a mars bar. Sorted.

[@markocchilupo5225]

HAHAHA!!!

[@RealSurfStories]

Fake Occy has entered the building

[@lindamac2]

Hi Occy good excuse for not attending your Year 10 Certificate Day at Cronulla High, still remember to this day. Legend.

[@jaycee571]

Never gets much acknowledgement for how fast and smooth he is, tbe power is obviously there for all to see but occs ability to read and feel a wave is almost second to none.

[@RealSurfStories]

So true!!

[@Lime-Spider1959]

Those were the days. Nice soundtrack too :)

[@Moondoggy1941]

I remember him surfing at Huntington Beach Ca. and pulling off a trick that blew everyone away.

[@PeterMcAinsh]

I was there, I'm a goofy, surfed JBay often and up to 12 foot. Occy simply made JBay look easy which isn't easy to do. He was doing stuff I was amazed at. Master backhand surfer.

[@Winker.]

Remember it well, we watched that footage hundreds of times!

[@MrRobinski]

Love the look of those boards, and be still fun to ride today.

[@paulychannel7914]

What an amazing ......almost endless wave..... yeah it wasn't BIG.... but OCCY rode it flawlessly as ya can see.... RESPECT !!!

[@isuckatsurfing]

As a goofyfoot learning to surf in the 80s, I initially wanted to be like Christian Fletcher and Matt Archbold and do airs on every wave. When I fist started seeing footage of Occy at solid J-Bay and Bells beach, all that changed. Tricks are for kids; heavy rail turns are for men. His surfing back then would probably still win most heats at those two spots today.

[@RealSurfStories]

I can fully relate. mentored by Kevin Reed in the late 70's and early 80's, as a child airs were a huge part of my repertoire. When I saw Occy I wanted to add more of the low, power based combos. To this day my goal is to combine both. 🤙

[@Steve-hs5le]

Occy to me seemed like a crash and burn,but he pulled it off. True F IN LEGEND.

[@briancordingley7393]

The actual day was in the early rounds of this contest. J-Bay was as perfect as I have ever seen it and a solid 6-8 foot. Young Occ (just turned 18) absolutely blew minds. With his backhand re-entry beyond vertical and the lines he was drawing from behind the lip. Just way more radical than anyone ever before him by a mile - and in complete control ...mostly. As he references in the acceptance speech, the final day's small waves (as shown) didn't do the contest justice. Sadly, the video of the really excellent day seems lost to history - I've been searching for it for years to no avail. But ask anyone there that day. What he did on those waves and the effect it had on his fellow competitors was reveal a quantum leap in performance surfing that is difficult to comprehend nowadays.

[@tonyallen8626]

I wasn't there but I remember seeing the footage and it was legendary, I couldn't work out why they were showing this footage, I was thinking there got the wrong event.

[@oahujuniorgolfassociationc6656]

Absolutely amazing post. I was like I live OCCY but how is he changing the world here? But now I get it.

[@Robochop-vz3qm]

Used to see Occy walking or riding his bike in Coolangatta years ago... He always said hi, nice bloke

[@sharongoodsell9341]

Me too Michael Peterson lived on Kirra hill with his girl Jenny 🌊🌊🌊🌊

[@kentswarroom8919]

I was there...,SOLID OCCY

[@bayly1977]

The drop in king

[@marcmelpo972]

No matter how you're looking at it, Occy's a bloody LEGEND!!

[@clarkewi]

Pretty amazing for forty years ago.

[@JarrodFLif3r]

One thing people forgot is how restrictive those wetsuits were in the early 1980s, Occy eas surfing like he was in board shorts

[@robinbanks610]

Shredder Occ👍❤️

[@goldiebuckeridge7257]

Haven't heard the Lime Spiders in years

[@giopn83]

Mark power occy.

[@leakoe3797]

Occy signed my surfing book few years ago..lovely personality..

[@DarknessYT2010]

That tune is the sample the hilltops used for sure .....go Occ

[@nettwench]

Still looks rad even now. A totally unique style, few surfers have that.

[@robertstinnette1926]

I remember him watching in my favorite surf movie north shore . Great movie of inspiration, when I was fourteen.

[@SIX6SIXer]

i loved Occy in North Shore

[@markocchilupo5225]

HAHAHA

[@xisotopex]

back when surfing with your right foot forward was still "goofy", and you were goofy... lol

[@richardredhead]

What is riding right foot forward called now? My surfing days are in the distant past, but I always thought "goofy foot" was not only a mild jab, at worst, but also an acknowledgement that those who surfed that way were special and able to do something that few others could accomplish. Plus, it's a quirky and memorable term that EVERYBODY (at least "back in the day") knew EXACTLY what was meant. 😊

[@xisotopex]

@@richardredhead my comment was just a reflection on how many things in surfing "culture" have become forgotten, or diluted with the explosion of popularity.... many things that were known by all 20-30 years ago and more have been forgotten...

[@Chebab-Chebab]

I'm goofy.

[@wasabiginger6993]

And John John Florence took it to another huge level! I mean, as a boomer am wondering where does the envelope end?

[@duhkha75]

Lime Spiders 🤘

[@hokuinsai4299]

Cause I’m out of Control! 🎶

[@duhkha75]

@@hokuinsai4299 👍

[@brettwatson4212]

The drop in king 🤴

[@philipstallwood9813]

Thanks. I have been looking for the footage of occy getting screwed by judges when he lost to ST in slightly questionable circumstances in SA. He was super young then, even ST looked amazed.

[@RealSurfStories]

You can see it on ST's face at the awards ceremony.

[@philipstallwood9813]

Yep. It was a dark moment for surf contests.Is there footage of that.

[@RealSurfStories]

@@philipstallwood9813 I have not seen it

[@philipstallwood9813]

@@RealSurfStories I saw it years ago and was looking for it. Young Occy looked a bit sad and ST looked puzzled.

[@adam__smith]

I think a photo of that ceremony won an award in Tracks magazine a few years ago. Both knew the judges’ decision was dodgy.

[@davel4708]

I dunno, for me it was Occy vs Curren at the OP Pro at Huntington. 1985 I think.

[@RealSurfStories]

The reason Occy changed surfing this day in 1984 was his powerful and technical backside rail surfing at maybe the best break on Earth. The rivalry matchup at perhaps the worst break on tour the following year was also indeed historic.

[@Moondoggy1941]

@@RealSurfStories I think HB maybe had less than 5 times in 40 years were the wives were epic, HB breaks in the winter not summer.

[@adam__smith]

I saw him beat MR (+ others) at the 1985 Margaret River Thriller in really powerful waves, very impressive.

[@itr0863]

Occy occy occy oi oi oi

[@MrJasperspool]

Xceptional Occy

[@francus7227]

Think about this....By 1986, Occy got burnt out. Quit pro surfing when he was the only surfer on Earth with a favorable win/loss record over Tom Curren. Went from 5'9 180 pounds up to 245 pounds. He came back in '95.. Lost 65 pounds. Then won the world title in '99..... FIFTEEN YEARS after this clip. When he was on, nobody could beat him..... Not Tom Carroll. Not Potzz Not Curren Not Kong Not Hardman Not Barton Not Mike or Derek Not even Slater... He was that good. He just wasn't "driven". If he cared about WINNING..... He would have 10 Championships..

[@toothnail605]

Didn't know Occy was 5 9" ? Times I've seen him at Trestles he looked like 5 5" - 5 6". And yeah your right when he was on...

[@francus7227]

@toothnail605 I only read it about his weight. I remember seeing him in Hawaii on the North Shore. He was wearing only the same yellow trunks for a few weeks.... no shoes, no shirt, and looking homeless. The trunks were dirty. I remember reading Surfer Mag. writing about his depression and burnout. Honestly..... I had only lived there about 18 month, and I was a bit starstruck. But at the same time I couldn't believe that one of my surfing idols was looking so derelict. If I had to guess? 5'8". His world championship was the only one that made me happy....for HIM. I love pro surfers for being GREAT. I usually don't care which one beats another. Yep four year on the North Shore from (age 22-26) '87-'91 was the best four years of my life.

[@williamsackelariou1860]

Sounds like you dont know why he retired Sorry l wont tell you lt aint pretty All l want to say is dont believe the bs hype

[@francus7227]

@williamsackelariou1860 I researched reluctantly because of the way you presented it. I found nothing glaring. Sounds like, from the little I found, he's a nice family man doing light work in the surfing industry. That a cool enough view for me. Thanks, though.

[@saliseduardo4357]

Now Brazil 🇧🇷 reigns 2014-2023💪 our season

[@sharongoodsell9341]

Tracks collected them all cronulla

[@mattsantana7701]

Flap, flap, spank...and then began the era of wacking off the waves to impress judges for points for doing the chicken. That's the 80's Bra. The soul of surfing blown up one's nose like a reverse snot ball. Radical dude, or was it? So Satriani

[@RealSurfStories]

Every type of surfing exists and always has. Surfing for one person represents what aspect they concentrate on.

[@hannotn]

So you're the arbiter of where soul lies in surfing and how other people should find their joy in it?

[@RealSurfStories]

@@hannotn soul lies in surfing everywhere and everyone finds joy in it in their own way. It's universal and one person cannot define it for everyone else.

[@latentsea]

Flapping Pretty boy is what my friend would call em’. Pretty boy flapper! Split! Black suits and upside down vertical bashes! No pretty’s! That was the 80’s in certain parts. Shredders everywhere in sparse sprinkles across the globe. Contest Johnny gets the prize, but surfin and money dont really mix. I love it all, keep it positive. ✌🏼 Shit was crazy back then.

[@latentsea]

Flapping Pretty boy is what my friend would call em’. Pretty boy flapper! Split! Black suits and upside down vertical bashes! No pretty’s! That was the 80’s in certain parts. Shredders everywhere in sparse sprinkles across the globe. Contest Johnny gets the prize, but surfin and money dont really mix. I love it all, keep it positive. ✌🏼 Shit was crazy back then.

[@davidtillotson5535]

Flashback to a time when surfers wore neon wetsuits...

[@garypalmer5441]

Show him surfing in real JBay that's what changed surfing

[@RealSurfStories]

The link is at the end of the video: Occy at pumping J Bay his world title year 🤙But this is the day that signified a change.

[@markbrown-sb2zm]

There is much better footage of Occy at J-Bay. I love his story and for that era this level of surfing was considered out of this world but now those waves might score a 4,5 ?

[@RealSurfStories]

1984

[@washington9816]

Felipe Toledo begs to differ . He really does ,especialy in J. Bay.

[@RealSurfStories]

This video is about a guy who changed the game with backside power surfing in the 80's. Felipe would definitely agree.

[@scottvieira954]

Esse era power surf

[@Chili327]

So how did he change the surfing world forever… did I miss something in the video? Or did he say something in the mic? (I couldn’t understand what he said)

[@RealSurfStories]

It's what he did not what he said. His coach at the time, Derek Hynd exclaimed: "Those there to witness it left with the impression they weren’t just watching the best surfing ever-they were witnessing the best surfing that might ever be. In my notebook, I had to invent new codes for what he was doing.”

[@stevenhusmann3816]

todays surfing is so level up makes look like average joe now but Occy was leading progression e at that time.

[@stevenhusmann3816]

Princess Diana at 00:00:49 ???

[@ToOldToTurnProcycling]

Pottz was doing some big moves before Occy.

[@jazzyprince7133]

Now he just annoys everyone by dropping in on everyone at snapper

[@saliseduardo4357]

Now is the Brazilian season 🇧🇷 Since 2014-2023 💪

[@RealSurfStories]

It's an individual sport, not countries like futbol.

[@joeygunnar8733]

Shoots unko occ

[@glywnniswells9480]

I swear there 20 groms at my local beach that surf better

[@RealSurfStories]

In 1984? LOL

[@rossmcleod3317]

The most talented dropper inner of all time. Neck made of rubber.👎

[@surfstomuch5750]

And now he is a fool paddling around burning kids trying to have fun .

[@Lime-Spider1959]

Bit harsh there squadron leader

[@petecabrina]

He is just not fit enough to keep up with everyone at snapper so has to drop in. He probably should have just moved down the coast or something and given up on the place which has become a circus.

[@xisotopex]

if you have won a world championship, you get whatever wave you want for the rest of your life. what have you done? of course, he may still be a fool, dont know.

[@petecabrina]

@@xisotopex ah no, that doesn't give anyone a free pass to drop in on anyone. Maybe if it was his home break as well but he didn't even grow up there, which makes it pretty fkd really.

[@surfstomuch5750]

@@xisotopex Oh ok , so if you win a world title in boxing you can then walk around knocking people out but it's ok because you won a world title. If you win a motor sport world title you can drive around the streets without stopping at red lights or crossings but it's ok because you won a world title. Yeah that makes sense.

[@journeyman6752]

The title of this video is literally a joke for clicks. What a shame.

[@RealSurfStories]

"Days That Changed Surfing" is a series...and this day definitely qualifies.

[@ta4760]

He didn’t change anything quit meat riding

[@xisotopex]

he quit riding meat? or the commenter should stop riding meat? punctuation changes everything...

[@ta4760]

Yes the creator of the video should quit riding meat

[@RealSurfStories]

@@ta4760 “Those there to witness it left with the impression they weren’t just watching the best surfing ever - they were witnessing the best surfing that might ever be,” said his coach at the time, Derek Hynd. “In my notebook, I had to invent new codes for what he was doing.”

[@sea2959]

before wave pools and waist high surf was the measure

[@Moondoggy1941]

It is kinda hard to schedule epic waves a year in advance for a competition.

[@robdobson5056]

What exactly did he do?! I must have missed that part in the video

[@RealSurfStories]

He brought a new style of backside surfing to the world tour and it all started here!

[@surf101-]

Ok, so you say Occy changed the surfing world that year. But, how?? You don't even back up your statement.

[@RealSurfStories]

He backs it up with his surfing and many of us remember the resulting profound impact in the mid 80s and 90s.