Joel Parkinson speaks out about losing his share in the Gold Coast Titans

FORMER world surfing champion Joel Parkinson has spoken out for the first time since losing his share in the Gold Coast Titans.

FORMER world surfing champion Joel Parkinson has spoken out for the first time since losing his share in the Gold Coast Titans following the NRL’s takeover of the club this week.

The self-confessed rugby league tragic lost a reported $566,000 investment in the club after NRL CEO Dave Smith arrived on the Gold Coast earlier this week to announce that the game’s governing body was now the Titans’ sole shareholder.

Parkinson, who is managed by Titans founder Michael Searle, said that despite the financial loss, he was “glad” the NRL had taken over the club.

SPECIAL FEATURE: SURFING THE SUPERBANK

FREESTONE SEALS QUIKY PRO SPOT

Former world surfing champion Joel Parkinson. Picture Waide Maguire.

“I’m glad the club has restructured, and now the NRL own it they can put enough funding into the club to get it through all this and move into the future,” the 33-year-old said yesterday.

“The club has brought the football community here on the Gold Coast together and for that I’m really proud.”

“I love my footy, and getting behind the club financially was my way of showing my support for footy on the Gold Coast and it was never about me, and that’s why I never promoted my involvement.”

Joel Parkinson scoring a 9.07 on his first wave at Surfest, Newcastle, Australia for 2015

The situation involving the Titans ownership and the loss of his investment could not have come at a worse time for Parkinson, as he prepares for the opening round of the World Surf League, the Quiksilver Pro, which kicks off at Snapper Rocks today.

The Coolangatta surfer has avoided media calls and public appearances since the incident, opting to focus on his surfing and training for the contest.

Parkinson said he would remain as an ambassador for the Titans For Tomorrow charity.

“I’m always going to be behind the great work that Preston (former Titan Preston Campbell) and his crew are doing,” he said.

Pro Surfer Joel Parkinson Pictured enjoying perfect beach Weather on the last day of 2014 at Snapper Rocks. Picture Mike Batterham

“For now I just want to go surfing. The timing of all this hasn’t been great, but now I’m focusing on surfing my first heat at the Quiky Pro sometime in the next couple of days.

“The waves have been so all-time over the past couple of weeks and I can’t wait to get out at Snapper and get this season started.”

Parkinson will face Brazil’s Miguel Pupo and American surfer Brett Simpson in Round 1 of the Quiksilver Pro today.