Occy traipses around the grounds to two places he had competitive success: Bells, which he last won in 1998, and Cloudbreak, which he won in 1999.
A touch slower, a little stiffer, but the style remains the same.
If that wasn't enough to make an aging surfer smile, the editor lays it on thick with two tracks of rich pedigree.
"That board felt like the starting point for a new life."
The inner mechanics of Russell's mind.
Sniffing out the bounty on land and at sea.
From a day with a low wave count yet high consequence.
Like a hundred social media clips joined together but not on social media.
Seeking darkness on a sunny day.
And Matahi lifts the bar yet again.
Bite size humans in king size waves.
Comments
As a natural footer, living on the surf coast, and having surfed Cloudbreak...I reckon I'd give up on having regular Bells frontside and swap stances just for ONE trip back to cloud break on my forehand....sigh.....
As a goofy also living on the surf coast I reckon you’re dreamin’
I dont know.... Cloudbreak is next level and to have it on your forehand....sheeesh....
BUT....wailing down the line at Bells and swooping through the bowl is pretty damn heavenly.
Brilliant best surf vid I’ve seen in ages.
Geez, he looked good at Cloudy. So nice seeing it not oversurfed, or just stalling for the barrel.
Was over there when he was the crew he was with were fawning over him in the boat, Occy seemed overwhelmed with the attention just wanted to surf.
Back to the 80’s. Awesome
Occ seems to be an Elkerton-esque baddy in a surf-film nasty waiting to happen. Imagine a steam punk schlock feature set in Yeppoon with a mustachioed Occy sitting in a Mongolian yurt-palace surrounded by hookahs and surfer-girl harem. Dav Fox or Vaughan and Nick would kill it..
'Mad Wax: Beyond Thundercloud' ?
Getting loose creatively, b6. I like it!
Doesn't it take you back. Polar fleece, sunburn, boards with length under someone who knows how to use them - what's not to love?
stole all of Jack mccoys ideas but very enjoyable all the same
Copped his spray from a big turn at Bells when that was being filmed. Good to see his lines up close.
Very much a homage to McCoy.
So good to see someone power surfing on a shortboard with no wasted movement.
Ganggajang brought back memories of Mad Wax...
Same. Great memories.
Same.
https://www.eos.surf/videos/video-mad-wax
(to para-quote @stu 'the resolution really makes you feel like you're there - right inside the vhs player').
Timeless stuff. Never get tired of his style.
Total homage to a few different surf movie classics: Mad Wax, Pump, Green Iguana etc. Completely transported back to 1986.
Particularly loved the playful soul-arches and heavy gouges on his forehand ...and pleased of no 'flubbing' criticism! Those arse-burying hacks have delivered some of the best still images in living memory!
that first carve of Occy's at bells... beautiful, but is that him being a dangerous asshole or a skilled, perfectly calculated execution? Or the paddler's fault for gunning for the shoulder?
I reckon paddler didn’t know how to get out of the way when there’s a good surfer on the wave.
based on occys normal behaviour in the surf, its probably safe to say the former
Pure skill combined with perfect timing ...and if he had have split the guy's head open, would have been his fault. World Champs get benefits.
Bit disappointing that they weren’t Huntington hopping for 15 seconds through the bells fat section to get their end section hits.
They left a lot of points on the table there.
And had to go to cloudbreak cos Occy can’t even afford Occy’s left.
Haha
Shame Swellnet can’t “pin” comments because this one hit 3 nails on their heads, lostdoggy.
That board looked great under his feet….but the broom under his nose not so….lol.
I reckon you could cut & paste that last cuttie into some of the green iguana footage. Would be the same, apart from the moustache
On rail surfing, idyllic
Unreal Eh.....
Now what was it that Thrusters did to the Bottom Turn . . .
Pft.
gee that is a great clip!!
Can someone put together a masters event in good waves. The love for Occ in this plus Mick and Parko the other day is strong. Add Kelly, Curren, Bobby, Taylor Knox, Taj etc. Would not be surprised to see it get more views than the WSL. I would Pay per view!
Wow. Surprised how in tune he is with cloudbreak. I was expecting him to be a lot stiffer and less poweful.
Yeah, really enjoyed that. Very good waves and great music to go with it. His infectious enthusiasm added an extra dimension.
I’ve never fawned over Occy but surprisingly enjoyed that.
Does he age? Full head of hair, minimal grey, looks in good nick too.
Makes me want to go surf some good waves
PS - that Lennix Smith looks the goods, nice style.
Occy still collecting a monthly cheque from Billabong?
Pretty charmed life ey....
Maybe that’s the key to youth - never doing a days work in your life?
Applying a fresh supply of stickers to new sticks would suggest so ...and they'd be mad if they didn't! Has to be the best value for money in sponsorship history - up there with Woods and Jordan for Nike and Slater/Quiksilver.
Wouldn't be surprised if Merchant wrote a specific 'Occy Clause' into the sale contract!
The guy turns 59 next month, ffs! And sponsored since 15! How's that for longevity?!
I was wondering this the other day. The websites are just shops, could not see any info on the team untill i googled it and arrived at a blog page with team still showing AI as number 1. Can't find the same page through the homepage. Scroll to the bottom and you see links to the other main brands. No wonder they don't want to pay up 'n comers any more. They are'nt even making an effort to show the current names on their own site. Meanwhile they are still paying Occy, Parko, Dorian, Taj? I don't blame them but must be hard to swallow for the young guys trying to qualify begging for $.
Unrelated thought. WTF was going on with the Billabong team culture back in the day? Now i think about their main guys it's not a good look. Occy's life long troubles with addiction, AI..., Taj was touted a world title hope for years but all reports were partying got in the way for a long while. Creed is ultra talented but still a wild man.
Word is Greasy still pays his rent. For life.
Great little clip, looks like an 80's porn star, Cocky?
haha, I fucking love the mo.. suits the hell out of him, and I'm not being facetious..
Not much of a fan.
The ‘stache suits him and I’m not a fan of the ‘stache resurgence.
He’s looking fit and happy….but Supa leaves him in the dust.
Still shredding! No wiggle bottom turns. Sounds like he’s a dickhead in the water in Queensland and that made me wonder if he’s an entitled prick-he used to be my favourite pro surfer. Funny bloke though!
Occy seems to be ageing like fine wine.
I've aged like a banana.
Hmm ...well put. Have to confess to feeling similar sentiments and being inspired to work harder on it!
You made spit my drink when reading that!!!!!!
Classic!!
Loved it. Great nod to McCoy and great music.
Good PR piece for Occ.
Seems he can’t read board dims without glasses. What fun it must be convincing him he brought too shorter boards unless that was a staged gag
Muscle memory. Losing the gut helps. In an environment that suits him.
Looking good Mr. Occ
This took me straight back to my grommethood.
Loved it.
Onya Occ!!
Occy + Andy = style masters
Best I have seen Occ surf in ages, there has been a few legend type heats that were not optional, But he is looking fit and the Bells Bowl suits his style and Cloudbreak, well, I'm sure half the tour wouldn't want to draw him in those conditions, maybe not vintage Occ, but his lines are so pure. The wave @ 7:45 min is exceptional.
Unpopular opinion. Kinda thought it was cringe. Production team that probably wasn’t even born before Occys world title.
Still love that rail game though!
Kinda poor form not to acknowledge Jack McCoy in the credits at least, So many tricks and tropes straight outta the godfather's playbook.
No mention of Jack McCoy...
I thought the music choices were so obviously a respectful look back to Jack McCoy’s films that it didn’t require an acknowledgement. More a case of, there’s nostalgia here and, if you know, You Know. Let old time fans discover and enjoy rather than explicitly declare it up front. I liked that.
Obvious to some, not so much to others, perhaos. What would it have hurt to pop a nod to the bloke alongside the rest of the scrolling thank yous at the end.
What? I didn't even realise, just assumed it was his work.
So you're telling me this ain't the Real McCoy??
Water and Cinematography - Tom Jennings.
Ayyy a top shelfer right there.
I agree gra. Watched the credits just to see if there was a mention. I guess in some ways it's kinda obvious and somewhat inferred, but it still shoulda been put out there. Really enjoyed it otherwise.
Cbf reading the comments, but fuck that was epic! Still got it. That first shot of him at cloudies, beautiful. Reminded me of old movies. Well done.
Wow he looked good for 60 odd. Is there many surfers around at that age that can rip like that?
I remember seeing Occy exiting a bar in France in 1991 mid craziness. He was barefoot, shambling and my Swedish mate said he looked like a hobo. He did well to get through that phase.
He's been through some ups and downs with his form over the years but he looks great in this. He must have a rock solid basic constitution.
Had to laugh at the surfboard under the arm in every shot, so natural. One of my mates has the maxim for trips 'always being a surfboard" . This takes it to the N th degree.
Hey onya occy. Kicked the addictions trained and changed his life over the last 10 yrs or more not easy to do . Still ripping at 60 rekon theres a lot more hard work and hard times involved in that then most poeple think . Good on him . And If occy wants to ride a mal at snapper he is ready to go with that Dirk Diggler moustache
Watched it on the big tv
So sick - Occy seems to read waves and draw lines in such a unique way. Timeless.
Also love his boards with the extra foam to compensate age, really shows how it should be done.
ken oath, thoroughly enjoyed 8/10. no scratch that 9/10 as i didnt have to watch air revvies on every 2nd wave
Yes. At what point does the air rev hype settle down into the back corner and power takes prominence again? That 10 pt 'air-cola-rev' at Margs vs Leos power carves and whitewater rafting closeout smash. Leo should've won every day of week.
Anyone remember the occ-cast. All i can say is thank god he can still surf like this.
Takes me back to Rocky and Margo camping in the desert
Not a double pump bottom turn in sight. Occy inspirational at his age!
That was great!