LOST IN THE TRANSFORMATION
By: Tracks Mag | Photo: Nathan Smith
JOEL PARKINSON ON TRAINING, TWITTER, AND THE TRACK THAT HELPED HIM WIN BELLS.
WHEN WE CAUGHT UP WITH JOEL PARKINSON HE WAS BAILED UP IN A SYDNEY HOTEL FULFILLING SPONSOR OBLIGATIONS WITH A DAY OF INTERVIEWS. There were no reassuring Gold Coast views to soothe the senses, just a comparatively Gotham-like Sydney skyline; a setting which seemed at odds with the notoriously laid-back Parko. But despite the unfamiliarity of his surrounds Joel sounded very relaxed, and more than anything excited about the transformation he’d undergone, from arguably the most talented underachiever on tour to this year’s world title front-runner.
Hey Joel, what are you up to? I’m actually just sitting here in the hotel room watching a Broncos vs Parramatta replay. But I’m not too concerned about the result because I’m a Titans fan.
Speaking of results you’ve had a couple of good ones so far this year. Some people say it’s lonely at the top, is that what you’re finding? If you’re going for a world title I guess it’s where you want to be I ‘spose. I haven’t been there long enough to be lonely. I barely think about the position I’m in. I just keep thinking about what I have to do.
Teahupoo is coming up and you’ve been going right for the last couple of months. Do you do anything specific to prepare for the event? Well, I just spent a week In Tavarua. It was nice and cruisey; I kind of got my head away from the contest thing for a while. But practising going left was definitely a major part of the process. However, probably the biggest thing that happened was watching my daughter, Evie, learn to surf. There’s a little wave inside Restaurants at high tide and she stood up on her own there for the first time. I was the proudest Dad. Then by the end of the trip she was like, ‘I can’t wait ‘til high tide to go surfing Dad’.
Speaking of kicking back, is getting out on your boat to go fishing one of the most important means of relaxation you have? For sure. If I could do that for an hour after every contest then I would have no problem settling my brain down.
There’s been a lot said about how hard you are training this year. It’s a buzz that I’m hooked on now and I just love trying to push myself.
Where do you anticipate the main challenge for the title to come from this year? Well, I think Mick’s going to be the one. I think Mick’s the best surfer in the world right now. He’s hungry, determined and ripping. I think one day when we’re both old and grumpy, we’ll be able to sit down and drink beers and talk about it.
Is there anything else exciting going on away from the contests? Well, I’ve just become a Sony ambassador. [Pause] Ohhh! I just watched a really bad tackle. They’ve basically given Sean Doherty and I a handy-cam to film with. So eventually I’ll be posting my own video content as I do the tour.
What’s been on the screen for Joel Spielberg so far? Ohhh, fishing, surfing and a bit of mucking around in Fiji.
Former Tracks editor Sean Doherty is also working on a book with you. Does having someone asking questions about your life force you to become more aware of the way you do things? Yeah, I guess so. It’s been good having Sean there. And when the book’s finished it will definitely be a keepsake – something that never grows old and holds value.
You’re also on twitter I see. Are you going to be tweeting during the contests? I think so. I’m a bit lazy with it but it’s good. Mick’s got one too and the Hobgoods are actually hilarious on it.
Is there any particular rule or philosophy that you live by? The only rule I have is that I must be completely ready by the time the heat before mine has hit the seven minutes to go mark – that means ready in every way.
Is there a track or album that you like to play around an event? Depends what mood I’m in. Down at Bells, on the way out to the contest site I was listening to ACDC.
What Hells Bells? Yeah, I was – definitely. Then between the quarters and the semis I was listening to more mellow stuff like Pete Murray.
How helpful is it having Luke Egan in your camp as a mentor? Really helpful! He’s probably the best person to bounce stuff off you could have.
Is he going to be there for every event? We’re just working that out at the moment.
I guess at those events he’s not with you for you’ll be talking over the phone? Definitely.
Okay Joel, I’ll let you get back to the game mate. But I don’t think Parra come back in that one. No. It doesn’t matter my wife’s changed the channel on me now anyway.
Published in Tracks June 2009
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