Occy’s List Of All-Time Favourite Women Surfers!

Did you know 1999 ASP World Champion Mark Occhilupo is a die-hard fanatic of women’s pro surfing? It’s true! He was there when Frieda Zamba won the first of her four World Titles in 1984 and he was there when Tyler Wright won her second Title last year. With so much accumulated knowledge of the sport we decided to peg him on his favourite lady surfers of all-time…

Keala Kennelly
I think she might be my favourite girl surfer ever. The way she surfs Chopes and Pipe is just insane. She’s being towed into waves out there I’d never even dream of surfing. I think my worst nightmare would be holding onto a towrope at giant Teahupoo with Keala driving the ski. “Ummm… Keala, not this one!”

Lisa Andersen
For me Lisa was the first girl who really ripped but did it with this beautiful style as well. We used to hang out a lot when we were on Tour. The girls loved to have a good time back then. I spent a lot of time with Lisa in Japan and we had a really nice friendship. Reeeeeally nice.

Layne Beachley
I used to psyche so much off Layne. The year I won my World Title she won one of hers and we used to have this little saying to each other. She’d say, “Go the Occ!” And I’d say back to her, “Go the Layne!” We used to draw off each other a lot.

Steph Gilmore
I see Steph at home all the time, and as hard as it is to believe she actually freesurfs better than she surfs in contests or in movies. I’ve seen her do snaps at Snapper that are better than the best guys. She is unbelievable. She’d have to be my favourite girl surfer ever I reckon. Hang on; didn’t I say that about Keala? Can I have two?

Carissa Moore
She’s such a nice girl. She’s smiling and she’s so good with everyone and has so much time for everyone. Then she paddles out and just rips like nobody’s business.

Sally Fitzgibbons
Sal is a little glamour girl but is so sporty at the same time. She’s so determined and committed to her surfing and her training and she’s really good for Australian sport. She reminds me a lot of Layne in that way.

Mel Bartels
I really liked the way Mel came on and started doing airs and she was just fun to watch. She was Hawaiian and never super serious with contests and was one of those girls who you never knew what she was going to do when she surfed.

Courtney Conlogue
I hang with Courtney a lot in Hawaii and she charges. Really charges. She’s gnarly. I’ve seen her paddle out in serious surf on big boards and it doesn’t really worry her at all. She’s all-time and such a cool chick. She could be my favourite I reckon too. How many favourites is that now? Haha.

Tyler Wright
I love a girl who can dance and especially a girl who can dance before she paddles out for a heat. Then she goes out there and lays down these huge powerful snaps, these big Tyler turns. She’s super friendly and she’s fresh and gives the girls’ Tour a really cool vibe.

Pam Burridge
She was a goofyfooter, beautiful, a really nice chick. Like Lisa she used to hang with the guys a lot and draw in that energy from surfing with us all the time. And everyone loved Pam, but for years she couldn’t win the World Title, so it was such a huge thing when she finally cracked it and won the Title in Hawaii.