Collectibles

Item Description

2012 WORLD CHAMPION Joel Parkinson (Parko) is an original 'Coolie kid'. Along with close mates ‘Fanning’ and ‘Deano’, he has saturated world surfing with a talent simply groomed on the long points of his home breaks. He exudes the disposition of your typically gifted individual. His casual yet rapidly explosive style displays a degree of laziness unique to any other surfer on the world scene. Out of the water Parko is merely, one of the boys. Never shy of celebrating a mate’s triumph, ripping into a tin or two and always the first one reaching for an Aussie flag, he remains true to the values installed in him by the Coolangatta massive.

Parko's talent resembled something of a child prodigy.  A duel world junior champion, born out of the fierce Australian Junior Series of the mid to late 90’s, Parko's talent was evident early on. His first major claim to fame came as a spindly 17-year-old wildcard, handing the ‘CT 45 a hiding they didn’t expect at the Billabong Pro Jeffrey’s Bay. Parko then graduated to the WCT in 2001 finishing 21st in his rookie year. In 2002, Parko climbed to second position on the ‘CT and cemented his fast growing reputation as a serious title contender.

A solid start to 2006, with a 9th and a 2nd from the two Australian events, saw Parko remaining inside the top ten for the duration. Given better results in the final two contests, the Nova Schin Festival in Brazil and the Pipeline Masters, it’s quite possible Parko could have wrapped up ’06 inside the top three.  2007 saw Parko once again finish in the world’s top five, with a solid string of results bar one slip up at the Boost Mobile Pro in California. While he was in the hunt all year, he lacked the event wins needed to claim a world title. Perhaps the biggest thing to happen to Joel in 2007 was seeing his long-time friend and competitive rival Mick Fanning win his maiden world title. He saw what was needed to reach the pinnacle. He celebrated the win with his good mate but deep down you could see the fire burning.

Some people hobble through the 'CT without stepping passing the third step on the winner’s stage, relying on consistency for re-qualification. Let’s face it; it's a hard school with riches restricted to those who exude that bit extra. It's no fluke or coincidence that Joel has been able to match it with the elite few after diving head first into their reserved ranks as a junior. It's also worthy to note that many of his fellow competitors rate Joel year after year as one of the dangerous few capable of snatching a world title.

Item Special Note

Shipping and handling not included. Item can be picked up at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel or purchaser can arrange for shipping. Boards will be available for pick up or shipping after Wednesday, January 2, 2013.