Mark Occhilupo says brave Bede Durbidge can become a force again in the World Surf League

SURFING legend Mark Occhilupo says Bede Durbidge can become a force on the world tour again following the Gold Coaster’s return to competition at the Hawaiian Pro.

Bede Durbidge has returned from injury to compete at the Hawaiian Pro. Picture: WSL.

SURFING legend Mark Occhilupo says Bede Durbidge can become a force on the world tour again following the Gold Coaster’s return to competition at the Hawaiian Pro.

Former world champion Occhilupo labelled Durbidge one of the bravest men he knows after featuring in the World Surf League qualifying series event yesterday.

It came nearly 12 months after Durbidge broke and displaced his pelvis in a shocking wipe-out at last year’s Pipe Masters.

Durbidge was knocked out in his Round 3 heat but not before he showed the class that has underpinned his 11 years on the tour with a score of 7.17 in his first wave.

Occhilupo said it was enough to convince him Durbidge was nowhere near finished and could still find huge success in the WSL.

“The way I saw him surf that first wave it looks like he is back to his best already,” Occhilupo said.

“I was really impressed with his first wave back. I actually applauded right there in front of the computer – I was stoked for him.

“I remember when he was just taking his first few steps after the injury and it would have meant the world to come back.

“At one stage he probably thought he was never going to surf again. To be surfing at that standard I really take my hat off to him.”

Durbidge plans to compete in the remaining Vans Triple Crown of Surfing events including the Vans World Cup of Surfing and Billabong Pipe Masters in the coming weeks.

Occhilupo said Durbidge’s next challenge was to conquer any demons lingering from last year’s wipe-out at Pipeline.

“Just to go back to Hawaii and take on Pipe again after that horrific wipe-out is super brave,” Occhilupo said.

“That’s going to be a huge hurdle for him to take on that first big one at Pipe but I think he is up for it. I think he is one of the bravest guys I know.”

Durbidge scored 7.17 and 3.00 in his top two rides to finish third with 10.17 in the four-man heat behind runner-up Evan Geiselman (11.83) and winner Frederico Morais (14.84).

“It’s just so cool to be back,” Durbidge said.

“I was bummed after the heat because I didn’t get through but ... I’m happy just to be here and surfing heats and putting the jersey on.

“(The injury) could have ended my career. It was a pretty horrific wipe-out and it took a lot of therapy to get back to where I’m at now and a lot of hard work. I’m stoked to be here in Hawaii.”