Joel Wins Heat Of The Day, Owen Wins First World Tour Heat Back

The air is thick and hot right now at Snapper, like wandering into a steam bath. A consequence of three straight days of non-stop rain. And through that steam cut Joel Parkinson, whose surfing right now is flawless. He’s in absolute harmony with the lineup, governing every drop of water with his silky power, confidence and style.

Evidence: Mr Parkinson put on an absolute clinic in the ninth heat of the Quiksilver Pro’s first round against Joan Duru and Italo Ferreira, opening with a 9.23. His intensity grew to match the rising swell. And while not scored as high as his opener, his final ride piqued everyone’s attention in particular; Sitting a fraction behind Joan Duru on the scoreboard with only a few minutes left, Parko took off on a set wave, positioning himself in the barrel and disappearing for a few seconds before transitioning into several forehand wraps.

Oh, Joel. WSL/Ed Sloane

“None of it was local knowledge,” Joel joked. “I didn’t think it was really going to get that good, and it really turned on during that heat. We knew it was going to get good at some point today, usually it gets good in the afternoon. Luckily, everything turned on when I paddled out.

“It’s amazing, finishing a wave and you can hear the cheers from the beach. Sometimes halfway through a turn you’ll hear some hooting. To be able to have an event, at home, at my local break, and feeling the passion of the supporters and fans, it’s really good.

The Surfer’s Paradise skyline in the background, and Joel Parkinson dismantling a perfect Snapper drainer in the foreground; everything about that picture just feels right.

Yeah, Owen Wright is definitely back. WSL/Ed Sloane

In the final heat of round one, Owen Wright officially returned to the world tour, matching up with Ethan Ewing and Sebastian Zeitz. Mr Wright would go on to win, dropping an 8.23 and 8.60 for a collective 16.83, edging out Ethan’s combined score of 15.27. Regarding the tour’s newest surfing prodigy, Ethan was wildly impressive, dropping a 9.10 on his first tour wave ever. The first time a tour rookie has done such a thing. He definitely isn’t a flash in the pan, and the judges clearly like his mature and precise rail game.

“Tough journey getting here,” said a clearly emotional Owen Wright, post-heat. “For the time being, I’m really just enjoying being here.”