Parko’s win opens doors

SNAPPER Rocks’ Mitch Parkinson has won an all Gold Coast final to take out the Taiwan Open of Surfing.

Parkinson beat Snapper Rocks Boardriders teammate Sheldon Simkus in a tight final in 1-1.7m peaks at Jinzun Harbour, with the pair trading aerial moves in an absorbing decider.

Parkinson’s two-wave total of 14.23 (out of a possible 20) secured a maiden WSL qualifying series victory, the overall Oceania region title and automatic entry into the biggest WSL qualifying series events next year.