Riding the Waves of History: Commemorating Occhilupo's Triumph and The Occumentary's 25th Anniversary
Join Surfing Legends Jack McCoy and Mark Occhilupo on a Journey Through Time, Celebrating the Iconic 1999 ASP World Title and the Remastered Cult Classic Documentary
Thursday, May 2 – Byron Theatre, Byron Bay
To celebrate the 25th anniversaries of Mark Occhilupo’s 1999 ASP World Title and multi award winning film The Occumentary, legendary surf film maker Jack McCoy and Occhilupo will be hitting the east coast of Australia.
It will be the first time ever the film has been shown in cinemas on the big screen and to commemorate the event, McCoy has remastered the film to give it a complete new look. McCoy says:
“I’ve spent hundreds of hours blowing up the film from its original VHS release as a 4:3 aspect, to 16.9 widescreen. When I watched it back for the first time it was like watching a whole new movie, people’s minds are going to be blown! Occy managed to do what many believed was the impossible. It’s truly one of the most inspirational and motivational stories in the history of Australian sport.”
Following his ‘hiatus’ from competitive surfing, Billabong founder, Gordon Merchant, sent Occhilupo to WA to live and train with McCoy and his family, and begin the comeback of all comebacks. He shed 30kg, cleaned up his lifestyle and they began documenting Occhilupo’s journey back to the pinnacle of professional surfing.
It began with his iconic performance at the Bells Beach Skins event, and ultimately led to Occhilupo becoming (at the time) surfing’s oldest world champion at the ripe age of 33.
The film was the first ever feature documentary of a surfer and instantly became a cult classic, with many still regarding it as one of the best surf movies ever produced. As with all of McCoy’s films, the soundtrack is next level and features the likes of the Foo Fighters, Ed Kuepper, Powderfinger and Yothu Yindi.
Throughout the tour, the audience will be treated with McCoy, Occhilupo and special guests sharing untold stories and never seen before footage from Occhilupo’s career, as well as a Q and A session to delve deeper into this special moment in time. Occhilupo says:
“I look back at this period as one of the most amazing experiences of my life and to have it documented in such a way is so special. I can’t believe it’s been 25 years but it’s going to be great to hit the road with Jack and friends to celebrate the occasion with the surfing tribe.”
To purchase tickets, head to www.jackmccoy.com
“The best surfing bio-film ever made.” - The Surfers Journal
“One of surfing's most inspirational stories. The comeback to end all comebacks. A classic tribute to a unique character. This video should be sitting alone, on a shelf, next to burning candles and your favourite photos of Occy” - Surfer Mag
One of surfing's most inspirational stories. The comeback to end all comebacks. It is a classic tribute to a unique character.
"The Occumentary" follows the "Raging Bull" from his days as a Cronulla grommet to his amazing comeback, with great interviews, classic footage, and plenty of Occy personality.
"... another one of those McCoy classics, entertaining enough to watch 10, 20, or 100 times.
TOUR DETAILS:
Wednesday, May 1 – The J, Noosa
Thursday, May 2 – Byron Theatre, Byron Bay
Sunday, May 5 – HOTA, Gold Coast
Wednesday, May 8 – Gala Cinema, Wollongong
Thursday, May 9 - Event Cinema, Newcastle
Friday, May 10 – Orpheum Cinema, Sydney
Saturday, May 11 – Avoca Beach Theatre, Central Coast
Wednesday, May 15 – Astor Theatre, Melbourne
Friday May, 17 – Lorne Theatre, Surf Coast
PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY:
Billabong, Balter Brewing, AGI, JS Surfboards, FCS, Pure Scot, Wave Ki, Perfect Wave, Epokhe, Surfing World, Surfrider Foundation, Globe, Ghost Racks