Watch: Parko's Last Lap at Pipe
When Josh Kerr beat Kelly Slater in the semi-finals of the 2012 Pipe Masters, Joel Parkinson won the world title. It came on the back of some hard losses, namely his 2009 title defeat and Andy Irons' death. Parko, however, had won the other semi-final so before celebrating he first had to come up against Kerrzy in the final.
"I said to Kerrzy, 'Mate, I owe you anything in the world. Thank you so much.'"
"Let me win in this final," countered Kerrzy.
"Mate, no chance," quipped Parko with a grin.
You know how the rest of it goes. Very few surfers get to win the world title and the Pipe Masters on the same day, in fact, up to that point, only Slater and AI had done it.
This little clip from Billabong, which is the second part of Parko's Last Lap, details Parko's own diamond day.
Comments
Amazing. Only seems like yesterday i was holidaying at Snapper and standing on the rocks watching this teenager tear it up, asked a local guy next me who's that kid? Joel Parkinson, had never heard of him.
Simply the most beautiful surfing style!
What is it with these retiring pro's? They can't buy a normal chair? They've got to have some sort of "man-throne"?
Super smooth and great bloke when not dropping in at his local and being towed into 6ft paddle waves!
I reckon it must have a slight sour taste as he never actually beat the Goat man on man that year. You could almost call it a Bradbury world title.
Legit world title bro
Pipe masters win
Captain consistent.1
Legend. Was a very fruitful time for OZ competitive surfing which looks a bit grim at the moment. That smooth rail surfing and those lines drawn are not in vogue now with the Brazilian air show. Was fun while it lasted.