“Might Be One Or Two Years, Might Be One Or Two Events”: Joel Parkinson On Retirement - Stab Mag

Live Now — 1-Week Premium Peek — Episode 2 Of Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico

153 Views

“Might Be One Or Two Years, Might Be One Or Two Events”: Joel Parkinson On Retirement

Parko talks the end of pro surf on Occy’s new radio program.

news // Aug 19, 2016
Words by Stab
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Stab loves hearing the sound of Mark Occhilupo’s voice. Not sure if it’s a nostalgic thing but it’s just got this honest, grounded quality about it. Occ’s solo radio podcast program The Occ-Cast recently kicked off with a maiden episode featuring Coolangatta top-dog and World Tour veteran Joel Parkinson. While the conversation initially revolves a little shakily around fishing and football games, a few minutes later and Parko’s dropping retirement bombshells.

“Might be one or two years or might be one or two events,” he says. “It takes a lot of commitment to win a title and to do what I had to do, I’ve done that. I really just want to get back to enjoying my surfing.”

Though the inevitable is nigh, he does admit he’s still enjoying the tour and believes he’s not ready to slow down just yet. “I’m afraid if I don’t compete it won’t keep me as hungry and as willing to surf, to chase waves. Maybe it’ll take my foot off the gas a bit and I don’t want to do that yet. I want to still get barrelled.”

Parko Snapper Juan Medina Landscape

“I’m not going to chase the QS.” Photo: Juan Medina (JCM Photography)

Parko also admits he hasn’t had much prep on his backhand lately, which could largely be attributed to his pre-Fijian knee blowout, which forced a withdrawal from that event. He speaks of recent plans for a Cloudbreak strike mission to warm up for the heaviest stop on tour (the window for which opens this weekend). 

“Is that intentional practice for Tahiti?” Occy asks. “Yeah,” Joel replies. “I want to see how my knee goes, I’ve barely gone left. I just need a couple to get that feeling, I don’t want to dive into Teahupoo without sitting in a backhand barrel.”

Other topics included in the first of Occy’s Morning Commute Podcasts include balancing family and tour life, Coolangatta sand movements and the success of Balter Brewing. 

Tune in and drop out with Occ: 

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

“I Lost Everything I’ve Ever Owned, But This Board Came Back”

One month after the LA wildfires, a surfboard washed ashore.

Jun 24, 2025

Shock Therapy: World 1 & 2 Eliminated Early In Saquarema

Gabriela Bryan and Caity Simmers fall victim on Day 1 of the Vivo Rio Pro.

Jun 22, 2025

German University Surf Contest Derails After Local Pushes Competitor Off Wave

The story behind the shove, and why wave-rental politics turned physical in Seignosse.

Jun 22, 2025

An Accidental 90-Minute Chat With Caity Simmers

A Stab Interview on life, individuality, and chimpanzee research initiatives.

Jun 21, 2025

No Tears In Saquarema

Can anyone other than Italo, Filipe or Yago win the Vivo Rio Pro?

Jun 20, 2025

Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico: Episode 2

Our seven surviving surfers confront an oddly large California beach break.

Jun 19, 2025

Why Is One Of The World’s Longest Lefts Being Bulldozed?

Pavones residents displaced as excavators move in.

Jun 19, 2025

The Seven Surfing Conspiracies

Inside surfing’s shadow government: what they don’t want you to know.

Jun 18, 2025

Mongrels Flood The Mondrian, Doped Youth Resurfaces in Versace

An autopsy of the Solento Surf Film Festival — and a breakdown of the biggest…

Jun 18, 2025

The Billion Dollar Hole Behind Lakey Peak: Should Surfers Be Worried?

A massive gold mine is being excavated behind the Indonesian surf village, fueled by foreign…

Jun 17, 2025

Record-Smashing Surf Coach Eyes Off His Next Victim: Sydney Olympic Park

Blakey Johnson’s July plans: survive 108+ hours in the cool, recirculated waters of URBNSURF. 

Jun 17, 2025

Watch: Milk & Honey, Presented By YETI & Sun Bum

A surf film starring Stephanie Gilmore, Caity Simmers, Coco Ho, and Frankie Harrer.

Jun 17, 2025

Stab Interview: WSL Tour President Graham Stapelberg On The Changes And Challenge(r)s Of The Post-Cut Era

Maxing Pipe, Triple Crown realities, Jordy Smith, sponsors up the yin-yang, and more.

Jun 16, 2025

Was That The Best Day Of Performance Surfing In 2025?

Kerrupt flips, double airs, and a cornucopia of 9 point waves.

Jun 15, 2025

Watch: Albee Layer Drops His Second Stab Edit Of The Year In 4 Months

And we dare say "Less Than Easy" is even better than the former.

Jun 13, 2025

Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico: Episode 1

Our first loser goes home in this "king of the hill" showdown.

Jun 12, 2025

How To Convince A Bunch Of Small Town Floridians That They Need A Wavepool

Warren Smith is creatively diversifying the tourism portfolio of his hometown.

Jun 12, 2025

Italo And Filipe Lost, But Surfing Won Today

No shortage of excellence on Day Two at Lowers.

Jun 11, 2025
Advertisement