Article
Does Parkinson "Deserve" One?
Since that heat at Pipe yesterday when Parko lost in Round 3 to Gavin Gillette, ending his strongest effort yet for a first world title, I’ve been thinking about the poor guy. I stood on the jetty for his semi-final win over Mick back during the Quik Pro at pumping Kirra, and Joel was fit, focused, and hungry. That it was Mick to beat him to the title is either fitting or ironic or tragic…I’m not really sure which, but what I keep thinking is “Joel deserves a world title.” But does he? Is any athlete entitled to that which he isn’t able to attain? The Darwinian idea of survival of the fittest suggests no one “deserves” anything they cannot take or create, but Joel is one of the best surfers of a generation, frequently mentioned as the favorite of the greats, so shouldn’t he get one title so he can spend his twilight years on his porch in Coolangatta talking to friends with his shoulders back and head high because he, like Rabbit, Mick, and Occy grabbed the elusive ring?
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Comments
December 15, 2009 6:25 am
If it is needed… I’ll 4th debaser
and 2nd Kagey
Fanning deserved it, he smashed it all year (If Bourez didn’t luck into that 10 in J-bay he would have wrapped it up in Portugal)
December 14, 2009 10:48 pm
I also 3rd debaser.
December 14, 2009 10:47 pm
js – Exactly – Andy needed help. BUT – Andy was hungrier. Andy isn’t out there sitting on Mick.
Parko gives the impression that he also believes he DESERVES one – where as Mick went all out and snatched it.
Also, is it just me, or the fact that he is being coached by another nice bloke – Luke Egan – who’s name often comes up in “BEST SURFER NEVER TO WIN A WORLD TITLE” conversations?
December 14, 2009 7:03 pm
NO!! remember when Kelly and Andy were battleing for the crown? who sat on Kelly and made sure Andy got ‘help’? yeah…
December 14, 2009 4:03 pm
Debaser covered it, I 2nd it. Focus and hunger equals a WT. Yeah Fig!
December 14, 2009 11:28 am
Pixies rock!!
December 14, 2009 10:44 am
He should put UP or shut UP!
1) At the Ceremonies at the beginning of the year he threw a fit and walked out on Slater’s speech.
2) He lost a 2,000 point plus lead
3) He was shooting a video during a year when he had a 2,000 point plus lead, STUPID!!!!!!
4) He made stupid comments about Kelly’s boards…. “I hope he keeps riding them!”
What does it say about your surfing ability if you have to make comments like that? You can’t even win on a year when Kelly is out screwing around and barely trying to win a title. I’m glad Mick won….. cry babies can suck it!
December 14, 2009 7:57 am
I don’t know if he deserves to win a WT but I’ll sure know he is capable of, he just need to get hungrier for that thing. Then he can teach surfing style to the top 45…
December 14, 2009 3:59 am
The turning point wasn’t really the loss to Gavin, but the heat he’ll really look back at is, the semi final loss to Bede in Portugal. Priority mistake…twice in that heat, which Mick went on to win.