It may have been a three-foot wave but the confidence and sheer balls Parko showed in landing this show stopper would have been felt by his fellow top ten competitors (Joel’s sitting sixth). In fact they’re probably still picking shrapnel from their psyches in their hotels as we speak.
One thing last year’s tour taught the world’s best is that a happy, healthy Joel Parkinson is a force to be reckoned with. They also learnt that an injured Parko can falter. But mentally the matured father of two has learnt form his ankle injury and is now showing the signs of a man on a mission (again).
“Beware the wounded solider” is a popular saying among surfers on tour and none come more ominous than Parko. Just watch this little clip and bare witness to the taller-than-average Parko playing with the chest-high-rights at Imbituba’s Praia da Vila Brazil like an over sized orca dominating a seal pup.
We all know Parko lost a world title last year – it was painful to watch for most surf fans. Winning three of the first four events was phenomenal making the injury he suffered in a Bali’s freesurf session even more crippling mentally than physically. No doubt he berated himself with questions of why? Why did I go to Bali and surf all day? Why didn’t I chill at home and train? Why did I go for that air reverse? All question’s without satisfactory answers worth dwelling on.
But as Mick has shown us to beat the likes of an inform Kelly Slater like he did in 2007 you need to know when to take your foot off the gas and stay primed to peak at the right moments – i.e. in the quarters, semis and finals of world tour events. Not free surfing Canggu with a couple of mates and clip-hungry company camera guys on the beach.
Don’t get me wrong, I love a surfer who puts on a show every time he hits the water, you know, doesn’t cut off a wave early because his wax feels slippery. Instead milks that thing to the sure and blasts a big old close out or catapults skyward for a massive Hail Mary punt. But if you want to win world titles there has to be sensible strategies in place.
“Boo!” I can hear some of you old school surf fans. “Just fucken get into it.” Sorry, those days are over. Think back to fellow Queenslander and relentless charger Gary ‘Kong’ Elkerton, a guy who set the standard on such an approach in the late 80s early 90s. How many world titles did Kong win? None. By the time Kong refined his approach and bee-lined for the title new kids like Nicky Wood were on the block and getting the judge love that would deny the worthy winner a title.
Parko is 29 years of age and it’s time to focus all eyes on the prize. And from what we’re witnessed in Brazil – we may see a world title win for the popular Parko in 2010.
Photo: Two blue one red. Parko gives the world a look at his odd socks. Pic: ASP/Kirsten
