Parko claims win in “mad results”

Despite retiring last month Joel Parkinson has added another trophy to his cabinet.

JOEL Parkinson is riding the waves of success beyond retirement after taking out the Burleigh Single Fin Classic today.

In a weekend of hardcore surfing the Gold Coast great proved he’s not be messed with, claiming the win on his last wave in the last two minutes of the final heat.

While Parkinson told the Bulletin last week he wasn’t interested in the result, it was clear Parko still had the competitive streak.

Joel Parkinson celebrates his win at the 2019 Burleigh Heads Single Fin surf contest. Joel is now a two-time winer, having won the event in 2017 and 2019.

PARKO BACK IN ACTION

The Single Fin is a unique event where 105 surfers competed on single fin boards made pre-1985.

Burleigh Boardriders member and commentator at the Single Fin Terry Teece said it was an awesome weekend.

“The overseas surfers really enjoyed it, the results were mad and there was really excellent surfing,” he said.

With three foot waves the surfing was destined to be great, and Teece said it was some of the best heats of the season.

Surfing master Tom Carroll carved up on the waves taking out the legends heat, defeating Mark Ochiluppo, Brad Gerlach, Peter Harris and Cheyne Horan.

“It was classic seeing them all out there and Tom Carroll showed he can still surf really well,” Teece said.

Tom Carroll in action at the 2018 Burleigh Single Fin Classic. Picture: Luke Sorensen

SURFERS TO TAkE TO THE WAVES

Meanwhile, Snapper Rock’s Pacha Light won the women’s division and Burleigh’s Hinata Aizawa claimed the junior title.

“Most of the boards are probably older than even their parents,” Teece said.

The most stylish surfer award went to North End Boardrider’s Chris Brooks.

The crowds came out in force with Teece estimating the numbers to have been at 5-6000.

“Everyone was rocking it and having a great time,” he said.