On The Brink: The ASP’s Search For A Worthy Champ, Part Two

If you haven’t already read part one (which was published yesterday), this may not make a whole lotta sense. So go readthis first. Parko the Champ represents the rare title outcome that is both favourable and probable. Everybody wins if Parko wins – fans love him, Billabong sponsors him, and he’s an ASP loyalist. Even his fellow competitors want to see Joel at the top. “I want Parko to win,” former champ CJ Hobgood told Stab. “I feel like he’s paid his dues, checked all the boxes.” For the bulk of his career, Parko lacked the motivation necessary to win a title. Now Parko has something to prove. “I think Parko will be the hungriest this year,” Bede Durbidge notes. “He has had some really bad injuries the last two years… He will be really fired up.” When interviewed for this piece, Joel noted one key change to his approach for 2011. “I want to put more emphasis on one or two moves,” Joel explained. “Throw Hail Marys at sections, they really seemed to score well last year. Anything exciting they’re going to score.” Perhaps if Dane quits the tour, Joel’s surfing will manage to look exciting enough to get the job done. Joel is also encouraged by the prospect of surfing with a mid-seed, allowing him to gut the middle of the pack. “In terms of the draw it will be like my first year again… For sure it’s easier than facing the wildcards.” Parko told Stab, noting that mid-seeds usually are placed in the early heats. “I love surfing morning heats, some of the best waves are in those first heats.” Parko in the best waves is just about the best the ASP can hope for.