Mitch Parkinson takes lessons from previous competition into Quiksilver Pro trials
MITCH Parkinson will use the lessons learnt from the recent Port Stephens Toyota Pro to bolster his bid to secure a Quiksilver Pro wildcard.
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MITCH Parkinson will use the lessons learnt from the recent Port Stephens Toyota Pro to bolster his bid to secure a Quiksilver Pro wildcard.
The 20-year-old was resigned to a first-round loss in the January 31 event after a mistake while holding priority ended with a 5.03 total and elimination in tough small conditions.
“It was really tough conditions and I made one mistake with priority and that cost me the heat,” Parkinson said.
But the result could have been a blessing in disguise and the wake-up call Parkinson needed in the lead up to the Quiksilver Pro trials in what could be a career-defining event at his home break at Snapper Rocks.
With conditions predicted to only be a few feet when the competition begins today, Parkinson won’t be waiting for an opportunity to come to him.
“You have got to really be on it because all these surfers are good,” Parkinson said.
“The winner is going to have to be surfing really good and I’m going to have to be at my best.”
Parkinson relished the recent influx of swell on the Gold Coast where he pulled into seven barrels on the 45-second one wave at the Superbank.
But he said the incredible swell had made preparing for the trials harder as he adjusted to the smaller conditions.
“But I’m still pumped and ready to go,” he said.
Parkinson will compete against fellow Australians Wade Carmichael and Nick Vasicek in his first heat.
TODAY’S ACTION
WHAT: Wildcard trials
WHEN: Competition starts at 8am
WHERE: Snapper Rocks
WHO: 16 men and 12 women
HOW: Wildcard trials winners qualify for Quiksilver Pro and Roxy Pro main draw starting tomorrow