Occhilupo - Surfing's Longest Career Ends at Billabong Pipeline Masters 2007

The longest career in professional surfing came to an end today as Mark "Occy" Occhilupo was eliminated in the third round of the BIllabong Pipeline Masters. At 41, Occhilupo's career has spanned a quarter century of professional surfing from the mid-'80s to today.

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.

Today, the waves might have been less than ideal, the 9 a.m. timing might have been a little early, and the way in which he waved farewell wasn't what the surfing world wanted for him, but the beach reception was right on the mark for a man who has colored the tour and this event for decades.

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.

"I'm happy, sad, I don't know what to feel," said Occhilupo.

"The reception on the beach was great - at this time of the morning it blows me away.

"It (the reality of retiring) hasn't hit yet. Maybe when I get alone it might hit but I've kind of been preparing myself for it. Those emotions come in waves and I haven't had that kind of a wave yet, but I'm sure it will happen.

"There'll be no comeback. Well, never say never, but I'm officially retired from full time competition. I might accept a couple of wildcards but that's about it."

Continuing on with the theme of career paths, eight-time world champion Kelly Slater (Florida) alluded once again to winding down after his heat win first thing this-morning over Mikey Bruneau (Hawaii).

"I might just pick and choose a few events next year," said Slater. "I'm looking forward to having some more personal time.

"I haven't made a firm decision yet but I probably won't be surfing a full tour next year. I said that last year and I ended up doing it, but this time I'm pretty sure I'm just going to do a couple."

In contrast, California's Chris Ward and North Shore local Fred Patacchia are in the precarious situation of trying to requalify, both surfers far from ready to hang up their boardshorts.

Ward survived a heat against Kauai's Gavin Gillette today, and Patacchia got a confidence boost from taking down 2004 Pipe Masters champion Jamie O'Brien in the most closely fought heat of the day.

The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing title for the best performing surfer across all three events of the series is down to basically two surfers after the elimination today of Hawaii contenders Roy Powers and Makua Rothman. Australian pair Bede Durbidge and world champion-elect Mick Fanning head the race. Durbidge will next face Gabe Kling (Florida), and Fanning will take on established local Ian Walsh.

-Press Release