Surf champ Mark Occhilupo hears wedding bells after 50th birthday

FORMER world champion surfer Mark “Occy” Occhilupo never thought he would make it to his 50th birthday. But he proposed to his girlfriend the next day.

Mark “Occy” Occhilupo and his fiance Jessica Crawford.

FORMER world champion surfer Mark “Occy” Occhilupo never thought he would make it to his 50th birthday.

But just a week after reaching the milestone, wedding bells are chiming for the Coolangatta goofy footer who has also dropped 15kgs and says he’s never felt better.

“I feel great, I’ve had a fulfilled life,” Occhilupo said yesterday.

The surfer has suffered physical and psychological breakdowns since bursting into the surfing world as a teenager.

FLASHBACK: Surfing legend Mark Occhilupo at Burleigh Beach with his son Jay Occhilupo. Picture: Adam Head

But in 1999 he overcame bouts of depression, lost 30kg and made the most spectacular surfing comeback of all time to win a world title.

“In a funny way I didn’t think I would make it — but my birthday was really nice with a heap of friends,” he said of his party at the Rainbow Bay Surf Club last Thursday.

“And the next night I proposed to my beautiful girlfriend, so it’s all happening,” he said.

Occy said with his boys Jay, 13, and Jonah, 9 — shared with his second wife Mae — his family is about to get a lot bigger.

Mark “Occy” Occhilupo and his fiance Jessica Crawford.

Six months after falling for fiancee Jessica Crawford, the niece of late surfer-photographer Peter Crawford, he said he had to propose to her.

“She surfs and she’s got five kids and they all surf, so with my guys it’s like an instant crowd when we all hit the water,” he said.

“It’s so fun surfing all the kids. We all get along really well — it’s just fantastic.

“The wedding I think is going to be in December.”

Mark “Occy” Occhilupo and his fiance Jessica Crawford.

After tipping the scales at 100kgs last year Occhilupo said he was now a tidy 87kg, just two kilograms from his “fighting weight” at the peak of his professional surfing career.

He said he had long-time sponsor Billabong to thank for putting him in touch with Worongary trainer Nam Baldwin, who coaches world champion surfers Mick Fanning and Stephanie Gilmore.

Mark “Occy” Occhilupo and his fiance Jessica Crawford.

“Last year I weighed more than 100kgs, my back was pretty bad and I couldn’t do a lot but Nam’s really turned me around,” he said.

“I’m just about at my fighting weight.

“Nam really helped my diet, so now I’m not eating sugar or bread or rice, just really fresh nice food.”

Occy in action at Burleigh.

The Surfing Australia Hall of Fame inductee said he had worked through psychological illness and emotional hardship.

“I try not to stress, I think surfing helps with that,” he said.

“I have suffered from depression throughout my years but you know it’s nothing that can control your life.

Mark “Occy” Occhilupo and his fiance Jessica Crawford.

“It’s totally understandable to find yourself caught in a rut but it’s totally possible to get out of it.

“As soon as you see a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel you can get on a roll.

“As long as you wake up every day and treat yourself well you’ll feel better.

“Take it from me, because I’ve been there.”