PARKO TO BOW OUT
Coast surfer Joel Parkinson to call it quits, saying he has ‘no more fire’ to win
FORMER world champion Joel Parkinson has announced he will retire at the end of the World Surf League season, finishing his professional career at the Pipe Masters – the event he won in 2012 to claim his world title.
The Gold Coaster said while he still loved surfing, the fire to compete and tour had been extinguished.
“I love everything about it but I just can’t keep competing,” Parkinson said.
“I have no more fire or desire to want to win. I just want to surf and enjoy it.”
JOEL Parkinson admits he thought of a home farewell with a final event at Snapper Rocks but retiring at the home of surfing felt right.
Former world champion Parkinson announced yesterday he would retire at the end of the World Surf League season, finishing his professional career at the Pipe Masters – the event he won in 2012 to claim his world title.
“When I thought about where I’d want to be chaired up the beach and thank everyone, Pipe’s just too special (not to do it there).
“Pipe’s got so much history, it’s surfing’s Holy Grail and that to me, is the spot to (finish).”
Explaining his decision, the Gold Coaster said while he still loved surfing, the fire to compete and tour had been extinguished.
“I love everything about it but I just can’t keep competing,” Parkinson said.
“I have no more fire or desire to want to win.
“I just want to surf and enjoy it. It’s not like I don’t have fire in the belly – fire in the belly is always something you have as a surfer, you always love to surf.
“Good waves, bad waves, sometimes you’ve just got an urge to surf and that will always be there.
“But just putting the jersey on is the one thing I’ve had enough of.”
Parkinson, who won his opening heat at the J-Bay Open last night, his favourite stop on the world tour, said he would not regret his decision to join great mate Mick Fanning in retirement.
“This is one thing I know I’ll do, I won’t change my mind on it and no one else will change my mind on it either,” he said.
A video on the World Surf League website shows Parkinson informing fellow Gold Coasters Fanning and Mark Occhilupo of his decision.
“It’s so fun, you’re going to love it,” Fanning said.
“Now that you’ve got this off your chest, you can go out and surf just for you now and put out performances that you’re proud of.
“It doesn’t matter the results, it’s the performances that you’re proud of.
“I think you’ll really enjoy that and I think it’ll give you an extra spark.”
After beating world championship leader Julian Wilson and local wildcard Matthew McGillivray, Parkinson said making the announcement was a weight off his shoulders.
“It’s been on my mind for a little while and it’s nice to surf my first heat knowing I don’t have to worry about anything,” Parkinson said.
After winning at Jeffreys Bay as a teenage wildcard, Parkinson said he was thrilled to be able to make his announcement at the venue.
“It felt like I was back as a wildcard almost, it was a full circle thing,” he said.
“It’s such a cool thing to be here for my last event and know that from here on out, it’s about enjoyment for my surfing.”