Mark Occhilupo says Gold Coast’s Joel Parkinson likely to slip under WSL radar

FORMER world champion Mark Occhilupo says Gold Coaster Joel Parkinson is likely to slip under the radar at the start of the World Surf League season.

Joel Parkinson. Action at the 2015 Quiksilver/Roxy Pro at Snapper Rocks. Pics Tim Marsden

FORMER world champion Mark Occhilupo says the scrutiny on Mick Fanning and world champion Adriano de Souza is likely to allow Gold Coaster Joel Parkinson to slip under the radar to start the World Surf League season.

With Fanning competing in only three events while he takes a personal year and Bede Durbidge (broken pelvis) and Owen Wright (concussion) recovering from major injuries, Parkinson carries the weight of expectation for Coast surfing fans.

But Occhilupo said the 2012 world champion might be able to fly under the radar to start the season with the spotlight at this week’s season-opening Quiksilver Pro at Snapper Rocks likely to be on Fanning and Brazilians de Souza and 2014 world champ Gabriel Medina.

“There probably is,’’ Occhilupo said when asked if pressure was on Parkinson to perform as the Gold Coast’s leading representative this season.

But with Fanning to take part in the opening two events of the season – at Snapper Rocks and Bells Beach – before taking time out, Parkinson will escape immediate scrutiny.

“I think there’s less pressure on Parko (to start with),’’ Occhilupo said.

“All eyes are likely to be on Mick in his opening two Australian events.

“People will probably be looking a lot at Mick because he’s announced he’s going to try to requalify off just three events and that’s hard. So I’m sure everyone’s going to be checking out how he goes.

“If he wins one of those events or places high in the semis … he can do it but that’s not giving himself a lot of chances.

“But Joel, I think there won’t be so much pressure. It’ll be more on the Brazilian guys, I think.’’

After years of knocking on the door, Parkinson broke through for his maiden world title in 2012 and Occy believes anything that happens now is likely to be icing on the cake for the popular Coolangatta surfer.

“I remember what it was like for me when I won my world title,’’ Occhilupo said of the pressure valve finally being released after his 1999 championship victory.

Parkinson finished 14th on the WSL championship tour last year and Occhilupo said he would strive for a better finish this season.

“He didn’t have a great year by his standards at all,’’ Occhilupo said. “He was still in the top 16 but he’d be expecting to be in the top five.

“He’s that good of a surfer everyone else would be expecting that too.’’