FAST FACTS

AKA: Parko

DOB: April 10, 1981

Born: Nambour, Queensland, Australia

Resides: Coolangatta, Queensland, Australia

Hobbies: Fishing and spending time with the family

url: www.joelparko.com


VITALS

Height: 6'0' (183 cm)

Weight: 185 lbs (84 kg)

Stance: Natural

Sponsors: Billabong wetsuits and clothing, Von Zipper eyewear, Kustom footwear and JS Industries surfboards

Shaper: Jason Stevenson

Magic Stick: 6'2"

Training Ground: Snapper and D'Bah

Favorite Wave: Long ones

Favorite Maneuver: Big ones

Inspirations: Kelly Slater, Mark Occhilupo and Matt Hoy

2010 Rating: 6

2010 Points: 10500

2010 earnings: $20,000.00

Career earnings: $1,141,226.00

Highest Rating: Runner-Up in 2009, 2004 and 2002

Elite Inception: 2001

Years on Tour: 2010 will be Joel's 10th year on the ASP World Tour

Sabbatical: None yet

Rating by Year:
2009: 2nd
2008: 4th
2007: 4th
2006: 6th
2005: 12th
2005: 2nd
2003: 5th
2002: 2nd
2001: 21st

Filmography: Still Filthy (2009), Stranger Than Fiction (2008), Trilogy (2007), Free As A Dog (2005)

Honor Roll: Two-time ASP World Junior Champion, ASP World Runner-Up in 2009, 2004 and 2002, Perfect 20 at Billabong Pipeline Masters (2008), Vans Hawaiian Triple Crown Champion (2008)

Elite Victories: (9)
- Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, South Africa (2009)
- Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia (2009)
- Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia (2009)
- Quiksilver Pro France, Southwest Coast, France (2006)
- Boost Mobile Pro Trestles, San Clemente, California, USA (2004)
- Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, Victoria Australia (2004)
- Rip Curl Cup Sunset Beach, Oahu, Hawaii, USA (2002)
- Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia (2002)
- Billabong/MSF Pro Jeffrey's Bay, South Africa (1999) *As Wildcard

Other Victories: (8)
- O'Neill World Cup, Sunset Beach, Hawaii ' ASP 6-Star PRIME (2009)
- O'Neill World Cup, Sunset Beach, Hawaii ' ASP 6-Star (2006)
- Salomon Masters, Margaret River, Australia ' ASP 6-Star PRIME (2002)
- Rip Curl Pro Hossegor, France ' ASP 6-Star (2001)
- Lacanau Pro, France ' ASP 6-Star (2001)
- O'Neill Cold Water Classic, Cruz, California ' ASP 4-Star (2000)
- O'Neill World Cup, Sunset Beach, Hawaii ' ASP 6-Star (2006)
- Headworx Ballentines Classic, Pantin, Spain ' ASP 4-Star (1999)


BIO

One of surfing's most iconic stylists and an event favorite wherever the ASP Dream Tour may go, Joel "Parko" Parkinson should be considered one of the biggest threats to the ASP World Title in 2009. Hot off the heels of one of his most consistent seasons to date, Parkinson put in some of the most explosive performances of 2008, seeing him finish ASP World No. 4 as well as collect the highly-coveted Vans Hawaiian Triple Crown of Surfing Title. Netting history's second Perfect 20 in his heat last winter at the Billabong Pipeline Masters, Parko is on course to do some damage this season.

Joel's introduction to the "Sport of Kings" came at a preternatural age. Parkinson spent his youth surfing the Gold Coast of Australia where he became one of the famed "Coolangatta Kids" alongside former ASP World Champion Mick Fanning and fellow Dream Tour campaigner Dean Morrison. The surfing community first took notice of Parkinson when he won the ASP World Junior Championship and then went on to win the ASP Billabong/MSF Pro (1999) as a wildcard, making him the youngest non-seeded surfer to ever win an ASP World Tour event.

Parkinson has been on the ASP World Tour since 2001 and has so far captured six event wins. In 2005, he added producer and film star to his resume when he teamed up with surf moviemaker Jack McCoy to produce 'Free as a Dog'. With a career that has spanned virtually every aspect that surfing can throw at you, the last bastion of dominance Parko is looking at is the ASP World Title. Smart money is on him in 2009.