[ Occy ]

"He is without doubt the most loved and respected surfer on the planet. And his story is a beautiful one. Tim Baker must have conducted hundreds of interviews in the process because the story is told with snippets from everyone involved in the surfer's life ... It is brilliantly done ... An inspirational tale of an amazing person; a fun-loving, caring, flawed and ferociously talented man who fought his way out of the dark and back into the light." Cameron Storey, Fox Sports.

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Price: AUD $25.00 plus postage and handling.

Including postage

Australia $30.00 International $40.00

All copies are signed by both co-authors, Occy and Tim. You can find out more about the Occy book at the Occy microsite.

"FOUR AND A HALF STARS" U.S. SURFER MAG

Child star at 16, third in the world at 17, winner of the Pipeline Masters at 19, Mark Occhilupo looked set to sweep all before him with a radical, spontaneous, irresistible brand of surfing. Yet a spiralling descent into drug abuse and depression snuffed his flame out prematurely when he quit the pro tour at just 22. Faultered comebacks, spectacular bursts of free surfing, and manic breakdowns followed, as the surfing world watched a freakish talent self-combust. After years spent immobile and overweight on the couch, in his so-called “Elvis period,” Occy eventually emerged from his cocoon, re-born and ready to tackle a whole new generation of surf stars. His celebrated comeback to win the world title in 1999, 16 years after his career began, is a sporting fairytale without equal.

Now for the first time, in his own words, Occy tells the complete, remarkable story of his spectacular rise, terrifying fall and miraculous re-birth.

Ultimately, it’s a story about the power of pursuing one’s bliss, the therapeutic properties of a good lie down, and the importance of never, ever giving up.

"Occy was always a missile going hyper speed about to blow up at any moment. It's true of so many highly intelligent or gifted people. All of his passion was put into his surfing... I think it’s one of the great sports stories of all time." Kelly Slater.

"Tim Baker of Bustin’ Down the Door fame, working in close cooperation with Occy, put together an intimate portrayal of the life of one of surfing’s greatest champions and the most amazing comeback story of virtually any athlete the world over ... an accurate, impeccably researched and unbiased portrayal of an incredible athlete and remarkable human, with one of the most winning personalities. Reading it will truly make you appreciate the unique character that is Mark Occhilupo." www.dailystoke.com

READER FEEDBACK

"What a wonderful book.I thoroughly enjoyed every page. I bought it at Sydney airport Christmas Eve and started reading it on the Plane. As I was reading the first few pages as to where he lived in Kurnell.... the Plane flew over Kurnell....and as I was sitting at a window seat I could see where he used to live and surf......I got Goose Bumps.... How cool was that..... I am 65 and a very with it Nan..... Regards, Katherine."

"I've just finished reading your latest book (Occy). Thank you for a thoroughly enjoyable read which was very much a 'page turner'. With this book you deliver a read that even the most non-surfer type can enjoy. As someone with a sketchy (at best) surf writing portfolio, I can honestly say that you inspire better writing in all of us, and more importantly validate Occy as the surfing phenomenon that he is through your wonderful work. Best regards Scott Spicer."

"5.0 out of 5 stars ... This book is "All-time" ... Not only is Occy one of the greatest surfers of all time, he is an example to anyone of how to chase and realise a dream no matter what obstacles lie in your way. A brilliant read, I'd recommend this to anyone!" Mr. Keating (Swansea, UK), www.amazon.co.uk

"Four Stars. I really enjoyed this book. A brilliantly talented athlete who overcame the most incredible highs and lows to emerge and re-emerge as one of the greatest surfers of our time. Thoughtful and explosive, complicated and deceptivly simple - this book profiles the sort of qualities in a top athlete that can destroy as well as propel a human being to the top of their sport. Some sports biographies can be pretty boring - but this one is so raw and real in places that it can almost make you winch. Talented people can be really complex. And often that complextiy gets lost in biographies through the focus on statistics and industry successes or the 'super-human' focus of the writers profiling their ability. Not so here. Totally real. Amazing, sad and amazing. Hope he puts another book out. Really enjoyed this one." Sherri, Australia. Amazon reader review.