This is Mark Occhilupo in 2010. The only giveaway that this isn’t Occy 20 years ago is the logos on his board.
Occy is 44. Classic. Photo: Kirstin/ASP.

Winter on Oahu’s North Shore officially kicks off with the Reef Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa. Sometimes the contest is killer, sometimes it’s a non-event. Haleiwa 2010 was one of the killer ones. Not just because Joel Parkinson came back from a six month injury-enforced hiatus to score a perfect 10 in his first heat then go on to win the event (although that would have been enough). And not for young Aussies like Heath Joske and Julian Wilson smashing more experienced competitors by mixing their new-school jiggery pokery with proper power turns (though we’re stoked for them too). But for the Clash of the Legends.

Sure, it’s an old idea, but watching Occy duking it out with Tom Curren, Tommy Carroll and Sunny Garcia in solid waves sure is a beautiful thing. We love Hawaii.