Younger Parko emerging from the shadows after win

IT was only a matter of time for Mitch Parkinson to crack the big time.

The younger cousin of world champ Joel has been quietly chipping away on the fast and highly competitive WSL world qualifying series (WQS).

Mitch beat travelling mate and fellow Snapper Rocks local Sheldon Simkus in a thrilling final at the WSL’s Taiwan Open of Surfing Qualify- ing Series (QS) 1500 event. After three days of action, Jinzun Harbour saved the best conditions until last with competitors dining out in high performance 3-5-foot peaks.

It was Mitch’s first WQS win after placing second in Philippines, third at Phillip Island, and a couple of fifths at Bali and Port Stephens.

Parkinson and Simkus were the standouts on finals day, throwing down some of the biggest aerial surfing seen in a QS event this season.

In the final, the two went wave-for- wave, but it was Parkinson who posted the winning total of 14.23 (out of a possible 20).

“I’m lost for words right now – to come here with Sheldon and stay together then end up in the final together is a bit of a fairytale,” Parkinson said.

“I’ve had an amazing event here, the waves were pumping the whole time and to finish it off in the final with a childhood mate is really special.”

After a solid run of results in the back half of the QS season, Parkinson moved into contention to win the 2017 WSL Australia/Oceania QS.

It wasn’t until after the final he knew he would have a seed into the big QS events of 2018.

Mitch is now rated 101 on the WQS.