Joel Parkinson Wins The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast
Justin Cote
- March 10 2009
- 1,453 views
- 9 comments
Joel Parkinson claims his second perfect ten of the day at Kirra. Photo courtesy ASP/Getty Images
Coolangatta, Gold Coast, Australia
Parko starts the 2009 Dream Tour off with a hometown victory…and an early lead in the ratings. Hometown hero Joel Parkinson won the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast in six-to-eight foot dredging barrels at the legendary Kirra Point. A standout the entire event, Parko found his high gear Wednesday in the semifinals against good mate and 2007 World Champion Mick Fanning where the two had a battle for the ages. From there, he was matched up in the final against suddenly-a-contender Adriano De Souza from Brazil.
Said Parko on the stage afterward: “The semi was the one—Mick’s [Fanning] the most focused and fit guy on tour. Me? I used to just surf an do nothing, but now I put a lot of effort into.” He told the rambunctious crowd. He then went on to thank his family, Luke Egan for the board, and Quiksilver for getting behind the effort to Save Kirra, saying, “We need Kirra back to it’s former glory, were all surfers, we can unite! Lets’ do it!” Parko says go to www.kirrapoint.org.
Congratulations Parko!
Final Day Highlights
Photo: Bielmann/SPL
Joel Parkinson
Two tens in two heats. ‘Nuff said. Make sure to pick the Parko Pro Spotlight in the upcoming issue of TransWorld SURF.
Adriano De Souza
With 1000’s of Brazilians on the Goldy, he had a massive and very vocal cheering squad! This kid is to be reckoned with as a serios contender—super consistent and can surf in anything.
The Webcast
I was both on the Goldy—half-drunk from the night before and sweating and my tits off on the beach—for the first half of the comp, and back home in Cali with hi-speed internet, a couch, and ice cream for the second half. Heaven with highlights—and excellent commentating. “God bless the internet” as commentator Martin Potter mentioned.
Mick Fanning
The guy has a never say die attitude and lost with over 17 points—that rarely happens.
The Water Patrol
After an early and unfortunate incident, these guys performed perfect and got the boys out the back quickly and safely. Without that, we’d be watching a paddle battle.
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March 10th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
stoked for parko! he looked really informed and could make a serious run this year. but still, i think this win gets an asterisk after the judges missed danes final wave. kinda bummed about that
March 11th, 2009 at 9:50 am
What’s with Parko chugging the beer as soon as he hit the sand? i thought he was supposed to have gone all hardcore with the training?
March 11th, 2009 at 10:46 am
corona? wtf?
March 11th, 2009 at 11:05 am
It’s really weird, the Aussies think Corona is the bee knees…little do they know about the sheer joy in a bottle called Pacifico.
March 11th, 2009 at 11:30 am
parko fuckin ripped it apart. man seems pretty determined and focused right now. good on ya. next time chugg something other than a piss corona though
March 11th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
All champions drink beer when they win, They usually don’t drink beer before they win, unless they’re playing beer pong, which is not a sport of champions.
March 11th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Big ups to Parko for the frothy win! big downs to the biggest kook break of all time El Porto!
Anyways, what’s with all the guys on the CT claiming every wave these days?
I mean yah it’s rad when they score a sick one. I’m sure the crowd loves it just as much as they do but unfortunately the decision is made by the judges. I’m sure it has something to do with psychology and when the surfer claims a wave after he gets a good one, the judges will then feel bad if they score him lower than his high expectation. I know after you come shooting out of a frothy chopes pit or land 4 back to back air reverses that you can not keep your composure and your level of froth is off the charts, but for once I would like to see the lesser known pros NOT claim every other wave they land a floater on! (it’s ok if Parko, Mick, Taj, Slates, Wardo, or Dane do it though…ALL HAIL!)
March 12th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
I remember aussie beer being good…corona not so much. just fond memories?