Quiksilver Pro: Joel Parkinson realises there’s no substitute for hard work after year of ‘shortcuts’

JOEL Parkinson has admitted he was a disinterested surf tour member who took “shortcuts” last year trying to score quick and easy points.

Joel Parkinson in action during round 4 of the Quiky Pro at Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast. Pics Adam Head

JOEL Parkinson has admitted he was a disinterested surf tour member who took “shortcuts” last year trying to score quick and easy points.

But after his worst result on tour, Parkinson has real­ised nothing can replace hard work. The former world champion finished 14th last season, a long way from his usual position as a world title contender.

But his efforts at the Quiksilver Pro on the Gold Coast so far this week show Parkinson is back – not only in the water but in mind after falling back in love with the sport.

It’s a far cry from last year, with Parkinson admitting he lacked interest – something that showed in his surfing and his results.

“I was just trying to do it the easy way. Maybe I just wasn’t interested a little bit, so a little disinterested and trying to do shortcuts – and now I’m not,” he said.

“I guess (there’s no substitute for hard work). That’s just the way it is.”

The emergence of the Brazilian guns in recent years has changed surfing, with big points thrown at aerial moves and single tricky manoeuvres.

Parkinson’s strength is making seemingly opposing forces of grace and power look seamless – and it’s no easy task.

His powerful carves and combination turns take enormous stamina and skill and Parkinson is no longer shirking the work.

“I can’t wait. I enjoy surfing hard and the best I can, so it’s going to be fun,” he said.

The 34-year-old has put in an enormous amount of work leading into the WSL season-opening Quiksilver Pro, with the cyclonic swell on the ­Superbank providing the perfect training ground.

“I just wanted to surf a lot this year. I’ve done plenty of water time,” Parkinson said.

“Last year I felt I didn’t get enough surfing in.

“I feel like when I turn up to an event when I’ve surfed a lot I just know where to stand on my board and just let my natural instinct take over and hopefully that just takes over in results.”

Close mate Bede Durbidge expected a resurgent Parkinson to be among the dominant surfers of 2016.

“I think we’re going to see a rejuvenated Joel Parkinson this year,” he said.

“He’s been training hard and just surfing a lot.

“I spoke to him on that cyclone swell and he surfed 34 hours in one week.

“He’s got great boards; he just wants to surf well. I think especially when the waves are good, he’s still one of the best surfers in the world and I think Joel’s going to have a really good contest.

“Last year he would have got a bit of a scare, I think, but this year he’s just going to get back to what he does best and stick to those big power turns.

“He’s an all-round surfer and he’s bound to be in the top 10, top five.”

Parkinson will line up in the knockout Round 5 heat today after defending Quiksilver Pro champion Felipe Toledo dominated their non-elimination Round 4 showdown yesterday.

The Brazilian nailed the first perfect 10 of the event and became the first competitor into the quarter-finals.