Surf star Parko joins mates in fame game
THE sultan of Snapper Rocks and former world champion Joel Parkinson will be inducted in tonight’s Australian Surfing Awards Hall of Fame at the QT Gold Coast.
He joins fellow “Cooly kid” Mick Fanning (right), who was inducted in last year’s ceremony, along with other Gold Coast wave-riding legends Stephanie Gilmore, Michael Peterson, Peter Townend, Peter Drouyn, Paul Neilsen and Wayne Deane.
Joel Parkinson told the Bulletin on Friday he “never dreamt” of being inducted into the Hall of Fame and was “stoked”.
“As a kid you grow up just loving surfing, and that’s all I’ve ever wanted to do,” Parkinson said when asked about the Hall of Fame honour.
“You don’t really think about the accolades so much. “I guess I’m still a grommet at heart.”
And it’s his simplified love of tube time that has seen Parko lapping up the local swells of late and letting his old competitive edge fade away.
“It takes a lot of effort, hunger and energy to be competitive – in any sport,” he said.
“I’ve really enjoyed spending the past two years at home with family and surfing has become super fun again without the pressure of competing.
“If I wanted to go back and compete again I’d really have to change my mindset.
“Since I’ve retired, I haven’t had a bad surf.”