OCCY ON THE MIC
OCCY SHINES IN THE BOOTH AT BILLABONG PIPELINE MASTERS
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, the legacy of Mark Occhilupo has an added shine. The man who can seemingly do no wrong has found a niche as the most sincere, honest and entertaining lad to talk into a webcast microphone since, well, I don’t think there has ever been anyone as good as Occ.
Now there were some epic moments in the actual event. From early round heroics of Aritz Aranburu and Dusty Payne to Parko’s historic 20 point ride to Luke Stedman’s wipeouts to Gerry Lopez and Rory Russell (alongside Bonga and Santa Claus) in the expression session. Oh, and that Wardo Vs. Slater final was pretty good too, at least better than last year’s final. However, the greatest thing to come out of the Billabong Pipeline Masters was the professional, insightful and entertaining commentary by Billabong’s webcast crew. Specifically, at least when we’re talking about the entertaining portion, Occy.
First off let me say, I know Dave Stansfield isn’t a ‘Bong guy per se. Nevertheless, Dave Stansfield is the numero uno, top notch professional set-up man. Stansfield, the Al Michaels of professional surfing contest commentary, added another excellent event to his resume. Aussie scribe Adam Blakey was very solid as well. Blakey’s ‘everyman’ humble approach is sincere and appreciated. Luke Egan is a Billabong ambassador, and like his even keeled powerful surfing approach, Egan is strong willed and smart behind the microphone. Mike Parsons, a staple of the Billabong webcasts, has 30+ years of competitive knowledge and tactics and he applies his wisdom with tact and clarity.
But as I mentioned, the man who stole the show behind the microphone was Occy. His vocal tone reeked of stoke. When asked about strategy or board choice he gave thoughtful, straightforward insights. But it wasn’t so much what Occy said as how he said it. There was a genuine playfulness in his insight. He was down right giddy to be there and it came across. I got the feeling that what Occy was telling us, is exactly what he would have said if he were watching the event a few houses down at the Billabong compound. Alright, there weren’t any expletives, I’ll grant you that. Nevertheless, it was, quite simply Occy being Occy: sincere, stoked, real.
A few gems that found there way out of Occy’s brain, through his mouth and into our world.
“Santa Claus is more of a legend than Gerry and Rory, isn’t he?”
“That’s a bit of a tongue twister isn’t it, ‘Rory Russell replica boards, hmmm yeah, don’t try that with crackers in your mouth.’”
“Dave Rastovich, there he is off in the jungle, cutting down trees and making surfboards. Rasta doesn't cut down lots of trees, mind you. He only cuts down the tree that’ll make a good surfboard.”
“What was that stingray thinking? I hope he’s alright! That stingray had a bad wipeout.”
To be fair, these quotes don’t really do Occy justice. Some of his deliveries were dead panned. Some were thrown out as an inquisitive jest. Some were straight up legitimate questions. Either way, Billabong has found a way to keep me, and I imagine the rest of the viewing audience, entertained between waves.
Hats off to Billabong for a great webcast, and good job Occ!
Side note:
ASP WILDCARDS FOR 2009 were announced:
1) Dean Morrison
2) Aritz Aranburu
3) Marlon Lipke
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READER COMMENTS
Mon Dec15, 2008, 9:41 PM
the ASP decides to scratch the Brazil event from the 2010 tour after the heat draw reads 45 Brazilian nobodies and a handful of random Aussie workhorses. a much-deserved and long-awaited event is crowned at Soupbowls to replace it. the Brazo surfers (all 234,677,455,212 of them) fly to Hawaii and start burning down random team houses in revenge, but the rest of the surfing world decides that Brazil still sucks for surf contests. Mundaka gets cancelled and is replaced with Morocco, permanently. Parko finally wins one, Kelly retires after 10, Dane takes his place as the tour's dominant performer, LA County sinks into the ocean and all is right with the world.
Mon Dec15, 2008, 10:24 PM
A drastic shit in climate change turns the jet streams backwards, The west coast now feels the pain of east coast surfers, the focus shifts from Hawaii to the Outer banks as industry housea are built and bought along the banks. Ripcurl's " on the rock" series is replaced by "Billabong on the Banks" Wild card Jesse Hines wins the 2010 Rodanthe Pipeline masters, and an incredible hurricane smashes the banks destroying the new corporate houses and returning them to their pre Blackbeard state. east coast surfers rejoice
Mon Dec15, 2008, 10:38 PM
What's all this "Kelly v. Andy" crap? There is no "Kelly v. Andy". Really, there is no "Kelly v. Anyone". If Kelly wants to win 10, he will. My gut says he'll get it out of the way next year and retire as the only 10-time, 3-time-repeat champion in history. But, seriously, Kelly is soooooooo much better than Andy. So is Parko. So is Taj. So is Mick. So is Dane. So is Bede. So is Jordy. So is Bobby. So is Josh Kerr. So is Timmy Reyes....In waves that actually require the surfer to SURF (i.e. Snapper, Bells, JBay, Trestles, Brazil, etc.), Irons' repertoire simply does not match up to these guys any more. His main advantage is in barreling waves, and there just aren't enough of those on tour to make an impact. Back half of Top 10, based on results in barrel contests.
Tue Dec16, 2008, 2:01 AM
Sept 09, due to the flagrant disregard for surfzone etiquette, Oarboarders become the target of a new and growing sport along the california coast known as "Oarball." Much like paint ball, surfers gather on the beach and shoot at Oarboarders with non lethal bean balls. The first surfer to sucessfully disable 10 Oarons wins. Extra points are given for disabling any "legends." Other related sports emerge such as "Oaron Tipping"- think cow tipping without the moo, and "pin the tail on the Oaron" where the surfer must staple a tail on the oaron while riding behind them. Oarons begin to migrate to lakes and the ice caps begin to grow again in global joy.
Tue Dec16, 2008, 3:44 AM
As the global economy tanks, the surf industry goes down in flames. No longer fueled by inane advertisements, surf magazines fold. Coverage is reduced to annual articles in the NY Times and Sports Illustrated. The non-surfing world loses interest and crowds become manageable. The top 44 diversifies into drug dealing, fast food fry cooking and porn.
Tue Dec16, 2008, 12:59 PM
Texas gets a swell....kinda!!!
Tue Dec16, 2008, 7:15 PM
A massive earth quake will seperate California from its Nevada/ Arizona borders thus making making for some of the most new and diverse waves ever seen. A new amazing coast line developes along the california Oregon border and stretches into Idaho/nevada.
Tue Dec16, 2008, 7:59 PM
Kelly DESTROYED EVERYONE this year, and if he is in the same mood next year, he will do it again! NOBODY, is even surfing close to his level...DID Ya'll watch the ASP tour on the internet this year? come on get real if he's in the same mood...FORGET IT...you know it and I know it! signed, Not a Kelly fan...just realistic!
Tue Dec16, 2008, 10:03 PM
Kelly vs. Andy? I'd maybe buy that if Andy gets his head out of his ass. He lost the fire. 3 years back he was ripping harder than anyone, he was at Kelly's level but as of late, and I have been watching the contests all year, he doesn't seem to have it. A beautiful wife and millions in the bank will do that to you I guess. Kelly still seems to thrive on the competition and the spotlight, and he is still ripping harder than anyone. Rumors of a big incentive from Quik for 10 world titles may fuel the fire for another year.
Wed Dec17, 2008, 8:55 AM
Oh gosh - I hope your May prediction is right - I just booked three weeks in Indo in May...
Wed Dec17, 2008, 7:30 AM
"The top 44 diversifies into drug dealing, fast food fry cooking and porn." Thats funny...I can Image that! And you? hahahaha.
Tue Dec16, 2008, 11:32 PM
The city of Oceanside, in a creative bid to raise money to stave of bankruptcy, places a bond before the voters to build a perfect right and left point at the end of the Oceanside pier. The voters pass the bonds and by 2010 there is a Mundaka-like left running from the pier to the harbor and a J-Bay-like right rifling south into Carlsbad. The new wave can only be surfed by paying a $30 per day use fee and is closely guarded by ex-Marines on jet skis.
Thu Dec18, 2008, 5:55 PM
man, you guys must have a p.h.d in shiiiit talkin'. lol, i love it. thaT RIVALRY IS DONE. My prediction: kelly wraps up his competitive career with a nice bow by winning his 10th title. andy ? well who know's. either way this coming season should be exciting
Fri Dec19, 2008, 1:14 PM
The California surf media remain howling kooks. (Hey, it's just a prediction....)