99 World Champion Mark Occhilupo to compete at So Sri Lanka Pro surfing event
View(s):The So Sri Lanka Pro World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 3000 event will not only play host to a massive field of international QS competitors but also a former World Champion and Surfing Icon in Mark ‘Occy’ Occhilupo. Occy is set to make his first trip to Sri Lanka for the event that begins next week, but it won’t all be about competition. The event will be held from 22-29 in Arugam Bay.
“When I was growing up a lot of my older mates would head to Sri Lanka for a few months every year and talked so highly of the waves and the experience they had there, but for some reason I’ve never made it, but I’m really excited to check it out,” Occhilupo said.
“It will be cool to compete again, but it’s really all about meeting with some of the surf clubs in the area and the local surf crew and just hanging out and telling them my story and all about being a professional surfer. I’ve heard there is a flourishing surf scene in Sri Lanka and I can’t wait to hang out with some of the locals.”
Although it’s been almost 15 years since Occhilupo retired from full-time competition, he is fit and focussed and surfing as good as ever. The powerful goofy-footer showed this, earlier this year when he dominated lifelong rival Tom Curren in a ‘Heritage Heat’ at Bells Beach. If the long right-handers of Arugam Bay turn on for competition, the younger QS competitors better watch out for the man also known as ‘The Raging Bull.’
“I’m really excited to get those competitive juices flowing again — I’ve been surfing a lot and training hard so I’m feeling great at the moment, not to mention it’s a right hand point which is good for me. I’m definitely looking forward to it. I just hope we get some great waves — then I’ll really be taking it seriously.”
“It’s going to be cool competing with and watching all of the young QS guys in action. I’ve been keeping a close eye on the events in Europe, the US and Nias and it’s cool to see all of the great young talent on the QS, it will definitely test me.”