Profile Joel Parkinson
DOB: April 10, 1981
Born: Nambour, Queensland, Australia
Resides: Coolangatta, Queensland, Australia
Hobbies: Fishing and spending time with the family
Website: www.joelparko.com
Height: 6’0′ (183 cm)
Weight: 185 lbs (84 kg)
Stance: Natural
Sponsors: Billabong wetsuits and clothing, Von Zipper eyewear, Kustom footwear and JS Industries surfboards
Shaper: Jason Stevenson
Magic Stick: 6’2″
Training Ground: Snapper and D’Bah
Favorite Wave: Long ones
Favorite Maneuver: Big ones
Inspirations: Kelly Slater, Mark Occhilupo and Matt Hoy
One of surfing’s most iconic stylists and an event favorite wherever the ASP Dream Tour may go, Joel “Parko” Parkinson was considered one of the biggest threats to the ASP World Title in 2010 before a horrible ankle injury at the beginning of the year saw him spend most of the year on the sidelines. Although the injury kept his title hopes at bay, Parko was able to collect the highly-coveted Vans Hawaiian Triple Crown of Surfing Title for the third consecutive year. Although narrowly losing out to Gold Coast stablemate Mick Fanning in one of the most hotly-contested ASP World Title races in history, Parkinson is back in 2010 and looking for his inaugural crown.
Joel’s introduction to the “Sport of Kings” came at a preternatural age. Parkinson spent his youth surfing the Gold Coast of Australia where he became one of the famed “Coolangatta Kids” alongside reigning ASP World Champion Mick Fanning and fellow Dream Tour campaigner Dean Morrison. The surfing community first took notice of Parkinson when he won the ASP World Junior Championship and then went on to win the ASP Billabong/MSF Pro (1999) as a wildcard, making him the youngest non-seeded surfer to ever win an ASP World Tour event.
Parkinson has been on the ASP World Tour since 2001 and has so far captured nine event wins. In 2005, he added producer and film star to his resume when he teamed up with surf moviemaker Jack McCoy to produce ‘Free as a Dog’. With a career that has spanned virtually every aspect that surfing can throw at you, the last bastion of dominance Parko is looking at is the ASP World Title 2011.
| 2011 Rankings | ASP Mens World Ranking: 2, 2011 ASP Mens World Title: 2 |
|---|---|
| 2011 Points | ASP Mens World Ranking: 52,100, 2011 ASP Mens World Title: 56,100 |
| 2011 Earnings | $249750.00 |
| Career Earnings | $1434476.00 |
| Highest Finish | ASP World Runner-Up in 2002 and 2009 |
| Elite Inception | 2001 |
| World Title Ranking by Year | 2011: 2nd 2010: 24th 2009: 2nd 2008: 4th 2007: 4th 2006: 6th 2005: 12th 2004: 2nd 2003: 5th 2002: 2nd 2001: 21st |
| World Title Event Victories | - Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach (2011) - Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay (2009) - Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach (2009) - Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast (2009) - Quiksilver Pro France (2006) - Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach (2004) - Boost Mobile Pro Trestles (2004) - Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast (2002) - Rip Curl Cup Sunset Beach (2002) - Billabong MSF Pro (1999) *As a wildcard |
| Other Tour Victories | - Vans Triple Crown (2008, 2009, 2010) ASP Specialty Series - Reef Hawaiian Pro (2010) ASP PRIME - O’Neill World Cup Sunset Beach (2009) ASP PRIME - O’Neill World Cup of Surfing (2006) ASP 6-Star - Salomon Masters (2002) ASP PRIME - Lacanau Pro (2001) ASP 6-Star - Hossegor Rip Curl Pro (2001) ASP 6-Star - O’Neill Cold Water Classic California (2000) ASP 4-Star - Headworx Ballentines Classic (1999) ASP 4-Star |
