Parko.
Thursday 13th January 2011 (Sydney, NSW) – The heavy rains in Northern NSW may have stranded Joel Parkinson in Yamba, but the world tour surfer will endeavour to make it back to his home break of Duranbah to surf in this weekends Jim Beam Surftag QLD qualifying event.
Driving home from a Sydney holiday with his family, Parkinson drove into the North Coast town of Yamba for a quick surf, and has been marooned there ever since by floodwaters spilling out of the Clarence River.
“We have been cut off down here for a few days,” said Parkinson. “From what I hear it could be open again by Friday but more likely Sunday.”
“I really feel for everyone effected by the floods, it’s devastating. The road might be closed here but it’s nothing compared to what’s happening further north. But with six foot of swell down here at the moment there could be way worse places to be stuck.”
Parkinson, along with 2010 World Surfing Champion Mick Fanning will line up for their respective teams Snapper Rocks and Kirra as 17 clubs fight it out for a spot in the final of the Jim Beam Surftag series.
The series provides a national competition for over 70 boardriding clubs to determine Australia’s No.1 club. The series is Australia’s largest team surfing competition featuring a combined prize pool of over $130,000 and a $15,000 prize to the eventual champion club.
Encompassing five regional qualifying events in Cronulla, Newcastle, South West Western Australia, Torquay and the Gold Coast, clubs who progress under the allotted positions are eligible to compete in the Surftag Series decider to be held in Sydney in February.
The top six clubs from the QLD Regional qualifying event will be eligible to compete in Sydney.
“The Snapper club is like family to me, I love surfing for them whenever I’m home so if I can make it back by Saturday I will have a go.”
“We haven’t won it for a few years and the boys at Kirra are two from two, there is a pretty healthy rivalry between the Cooly clubs.”
Fanning.
Fanning, who steered Kirra to victory in 2009 and 2010 is currently in Hawaii but will jet back to contest the event. The Kirra team remains a strong force on paper represented by Asher Pacey, Corey Ziems, Alex Chacon and Jesse Allen
“Three from three would be amazing for us, we have a good young team and I think we can nail it,” said Fanning. “The quality of surfers from around this region would have to be the strongest in Australia, everyone will put in a solid team.”
“DBah has been pretty good lately as well, so hopefully the waves turn on. It’s always a great weekend and I think it will provide some much needed fun in these heavy times for Queensland.”
The complete list of clubs competing include Snapper Rocks (2 teams), Kirra, Coolum, North Shore, Brunswick, LeBa, Byron Bay, Cabarita, Palm Beach, Burleigh, Alley, MNM, Noosa, North End and Duranbah.
The third leg of the FCS Manufacturers Cup will also be held this weekend with eight teams of craftsmen represented, favourites include JS Industries, SEL and Super Brand.
A large pulse of swell is expected to hit the Gold Coast this weekend with a possible relocation of the event away from Duranbah. Clubs should be on call from 7am Saturday morning.
The 2011 Jim Beam Surftag is proudly supported by FCS, Sanyo and O’Neill. Media partners for the series are Swellnet and Tracks surfing magazine.
2010/11 Jim Beam Surftag Dates And Locations
Oct 15 Industry Challenge (Curl Curl) (Winner – Quiksilver)
Oct 16 Trade Off (Curl Curl) (Winner – Bondi Life Guards)
Nov 13 Women’s Surftag (Dee Why) (Winner – Norah Head Women In Waves)
Dec 11 NSW North Surftag (Newcastle) (Winner – North Shelley Boardriders)
Dec 18 Victoria Surftag (Jan Juc) (Winner – Torquay)
Jan 8 West Australia Surftag (Gas Bay) (Winner – Yallingup Boardriders)
Jan 15 Queensland Surftag (Duranbah)
Jan 29/30 NSW South Surftag (Cronulla)
Feb 3/4/5 Surftag Australian Final (Northern Beaches, Sydney)
