Joel the easy rider
JOEL Parkinson’s decision to retire was timely, truthful and testament to his genuine character and he got the jump on his old adversary Kelly Slater, who felt compelled to announce his retirement only after the Gold Coast surfer.
Joel was always destined to be a world champion.
From an early age at Caloundra, he was winning cadets comps and headed for the big time.
When he arrived on the Gold Coast and joined up with fellow Cooly kids Mick Fanning and Dean Morrison, they united like the holy trinity of Coolangatta’s next hottest generation.
Pushing themselves to the limits, they totally dominated the Pro Junior series.
But when they qualified for the World Tour, they were up against a red-hot Andy Irons who inspired a Kelly Slater comeback.
Collectively they were the faces of the new millennium of pro surfing and eventually they got Slater’s measure.
The thing that set Joel apart from the others was his impeccable free-flowing, smooth-as-silk style.
While Irons was innovative, Slater was radical and Mick was fastest, no one compared with Joel’s making-it-look-so-easy, stylish flair.
It was the reason why the judges underscored him because he made it look so effortless and wasn’t showing enough aggression.
All of Joel’s 12 world championship tour wins were unanimous and well deserved and I was fortunate to have witnessed a few.
One of the most memorable finals I watched was at the 50th anniversary of the 2011 Rip Curl Pro Easter Bells Beach in Victoria.
The waves were pumping and Joel and Mick were in the final. It was like a State of Origin match, Joel the Queenslander up against Mick, the Tweed NSW man.
Everybody loves Parko and his amazing contribution to surfing.
Thanks for the ride, Joel. What an end to an era from the Cooly boys.
You and Mick are leaving big shoes to fill.