The great Joel "Parko" Parkinson weighs in on the top of the tour ticket!
Would you like to know a trade secret? Professional surfers, by and large, are the best to interview when they reach the twilights of their careers. As young boys they crackle with opinion but haven’t lived long enough for those opinions to mean any real thing. As twinks, I mean twenty-year-olds, they have been scolded by the brands and no longer share freely.
But when the end of the road comes into view then the cream start flowing and Surfline’s Dashel Pierson lapped up something delicious, yesterday, from Joel Parkinson.
It is worth your time to read (here!) but some of the choicer bits involved Mick Fanning’s psychosis, his own “selfish motherfucker” attitude, bristling at being called “the old guy” and this year’s title race. Let’s peek:
The amount of talent that’s there, you probably can guarantee that it’s going to Pipe now. For me, personally, I think John’s on the right track. But I still think Gabriel is probably the most talented. I’m a huge fan of both, I don’t take sides. I’m just hoping for a great show. A lot can happen in France.
And does this summation surprise you? When you think of John John Florence and Gabriel Medina do you think that the latter is more talented than the former? Joel would know more than you or me. He’s seen the boys dance since their births.
It makes me wish for a new, extra-curricular, element to the tour. That John John and Gabriel could each pick three waves to battle each other on with one wave chosen by you and me. Then we would all know if Joel is right.
Until the World Surf League grows a brain (and balls!) though do you agree with Parko? Are #youwithhim?
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John has a style the masses can relate to, like MR was, top to bottom; took off on big waves well. Where as Gabby surfs with a speed & athleticism the masses cannot generally relate to, say, in the old era, like Cheyne Horan. MR vs Cheyne; John vs Gabriel; its a similar battle. Both MR & Cheyne were men possessed. Gabby is but John is not.
Jordy will spank them both
More like Pipe will spank Jordy (unless it is Backdoor).
Is that Simon Black (3 time Premiership, Norm Smith and Brownlow medals winner) to the left of Parko? Is there a prize for the most obscure question?
I recall a few 10’s at Backdoor when the pressure was on. And he did just fine at really big Sunset last year. Maybe just start paying attention?
I don’t surf for money, points or glory but because it’s fun. So if I could steal someones surfing ability whilst everything else stayed the same it would be JJ’s. If I only surfed for trophy’s and getting a Gillette sponsor then surfing like Gab’s would be infinitely more appealing.
LOL, if you could surf for money you would. That you prefer one guy’s style over the other’s isn’t instructive on who’s more talented.
So is a subjective judging system better able to determine who is more talented or does it simply determine who is the better competitor?
Could JJf get a razor sponsorship for shaving once a year?
John’s surfing has always left me cold, though I would say he’s easily the most naturally talented surfer on the planet. Gabbi is a piece of shit, but has probably has worked harder and made more of the natural talent he started with.
You shoulda seen that kid at 16. Almost surreal skills. That might be why Joel is tipping his hat here. He watched mid-teen Gabriel out surfing every tour pro in free-surfs worldwide.
Yes I think that you are right Nick
You watch that man surf with your eyes open next time young man.
And have you ever seen a Parko wave and go, “Wow, I didn’t see that coming”?
Holy shit I think I see where you are going with this strap yourself in mum
First can be next, right?
the word “talented” is so vague that its almost devoid of meaning.
but, one could make a case that john john’s spectacular ability is in large part a result of surfing pipeline all his life, whereas gabi got to the level he’s at despite growing up in sub-optimal waves.
in other words, the only reason he’s so good now is because of his natural “talent”.
I’m starting my next novel with “Standing tall in a throaty one with his back to the wall…” but in a totally different context.
Get it sponsored by Bravo Condoms!
I was thinking of getting it sponsored by Hepatitis B and C, too, just for good measure.
Yeah, right… Tell us something new, Parko…
Fuck off you piece of shit. I wish you could be banned from this website, as I actually enjoy reading it and don’t want your stupid opinions detracting from the experience.
Derrrr people that use computers alot.
No surprise. #Parkoisright