Occhilupo has shared the world's waves with three generations of surfing greats including world champions Shaun Tomson, Tom Curren, Tom Carroll, and Kelly Slater. He finally added his own name to the world champions list in 1999, after the greatest comeback in surfing history.

A surfing 'wunderkind' from the blue-collar coastal town of Kurnell, in Sydney, Australia, Occhilupo first turned heads at the age of 11. Joining the local boardriders club of Cronulla, he was junior champion from ages 11 to 13. His foray into professional events occurred at the Beaurepairs Open in 1982 - a former world tour event staged at his home break.

In 1983, the brash 17-year-old launched his full-time pro surfing career and entered the Top 16 for the first time. It was here at Pipeline, in 1985, that he faced some of the biggest waves ever ridden in this famous competition, and emerged victorious at the age of 19.

In 1986, ranked third in the world, a world title looked imminent. But in the years that immediately followed, Occy's brilliance took a detour into the shadows, crashing and burning at what appeared to be the peak of his career. It would take another 13 years before his true destiny was fulfilled.

He got motivated, got back into shape and ordered some new sticks. He was soon ripping again and qualified for the tour. In 1999 Mark Occilupo, at the age of 33, won his first world tile. Six years later he retired, calling it quits after the 2007 WCT tour.

It was a tough exit to make, having led for 29 minutes of his 30-minute clash with Troy Brooks (Australia), Occy lost in the closing moments after Brooks secured the wave of the heat. Occhilupo was carried up the sand on the shoulders of his friends and Billabong team-mates, and landed on the stage where he addressed a throng of fans and media.