Occy's Outburst, Biarritz 2005
Occy's Outburst, Biarritz 2005
Words by Gary Browningstone
OK so technically it wasn’t at the event, but it was during the event, so it counts.
The year was 2005. During the freesurfs at la Graviere, Shane Beschen got dropped in on by a local surfer on a mid-sized hollow left. Beschen then returned the favour on the next set, and turned around to middle finger the local. The local then promptly paddled up to Beschen, and slapped him upside the lizardy, neck-beardy head.
AI, paddling nearby said, “Whoa, that was pretty random”. It was, kinda.
Anyhow, the travelling pro surf fraternity was none too stoked, a sentiment personified by Occy, on stage receiving an award at The EuroSima Waterman’s Ball later that evening, in Biarritz.
Once on stage, Occ, who’d had a few, grabbed the mic in one hand, pointed a long-fingernailed index at the audience with the other and said,
“WHEN WE FIRST COME HERE TO FRANCE (long pause) NONE OF YA’S SURFED.” The finger did an accusing sweep of the room, pointing out various captains of French surf industry.
“NONE OF YA’S”
Andy and Bruce, with whom Occ had been seated at a front row table, howled and hooted with glee. The entire rest of the room fell silent.
“NONE OF YA’S SURFED!” Continued Occ. As to further clarify the precise subject of his ire, he continued,
“I don’t mind the Spanish and the Basques, they’ve always been cool. But you guys, the French…. NONE OF YA’S SURFED”
After an awkward period, Occ sat down, and the night re-commenced with the important task of handing out innovation awards to Solomon S-Core surfboards, Pull-In Underpants and other important matters.
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