This afternoon Merewether’s Jackson Baker will take on former world champion, Joel Parkinson. It’s a David and Goliath battle but the experience will prove invaluable. Baker is a rising star, coming through the ranks with peers Luke Hynd, Jacob Willcox and Jack Robinson. All except for Hynd have competed as wildcards against former world champions.
“Yeah it’s first time I’ve got a wildcard so I’m stoked about that. I looked at the draw and saw I had Parko in my first heat so it’s a good experience to surf against him and if I make that heat it’ll make my life,” said Jacko ahead of today’s showdown.
Parko, the event’s number one seed, meanwhile wants nothing more than a win to kickstart his competitive season.
“I love Newcastle, there’s great surf everywhere here and this is an ideal event for me to warm up my competitive act,” said Parkinson. “I’m here to win, it’s a great event and to win in the 30th year would be special so I’ll give it everything.”
With a big swell forecast from Thursday through the finals over the weekend it could be one of best QS events in recent memory on Australian shores.
Watch Surfest Newcastle live here.
