Surfing: 'Cooly kid' is surfing's hottest star

Joel Parkinson has improved by using a new strict training regime. Photo / Supplied

Talk about living the dream. Joel Parkinson is not only the best surfer in the world right now, he is competing on the Dream Tour.

There aren't many better lives, even in the rarefied atmosphere of today's world of professional sports. With events at Fiji's and Tahiti's perfect reef breaks, to the famous Mundaka in Spain, and other locations in the USA and Australia, it's hard to imagine a better competitive schedule.

Leading the 2009 ASP world tour after three events is Australia's "Parko", as he is known, who has just completed a five-day Corona tour of New Zealand, along with fellow surfing legend and 1999 World Champion, Mark "Occy" Occhilupo.

Parkinson, who hails from Australia's surfing epicentre of Coolangatta, has grown up in the new age of professional surfing.

"We lived in a small town when I was young, it wasn't very big, Coolangatta, and we'd all surf down there. Dean Morrison, Mick Fanning, me, and a few of the older guys. It was kind of like a little rat pack where everyone tried to be the best."

The 'rat pack' Parkinson refers to has come to be known in surfing circles as the "Cooly Kids", who have gone on to become some of the best surfers of their time.

"Before we knew it we were 15 and competing at the state titles, and we didn't realise how much better we were than other surfers. And when we would go to the nationals, it would be like a little Coolangatta clan. I guess we just pushed each other harder."

Fanning later went on to become 2007 world champion. Parkinson, now sitting on top of the world surfing ladder, said his friend's world title had influenced his drive towards a possible world title.

"Definitely - just watching him do it and knowing that as kids we grew up together, as teenagers, as sparring partners in a way," he said. " He definitely showed me it was possible, and I believe he can do it, and I can do it."

Parkinson has shown he has the ability to take it all the way in 2009. Winning the first event of the year on home ground at the Gold Coast Pro was a definite boost to his confidence.

"Home is a hard one to win. You get a lot of home support but sometimes that home support can be a hindrance. It's like there are too many eyes on you. But when it all comes off, there's nothing better than winning in front of your home town crowd."

Parkinson followed up his Gold Coast victory by winning at the famous Bells Beach Pro held on the rugged coastline of Victoria, Australia.

What has changed in his approach to the world tour from previous years?

Parkinson attributes a strict training schedule under the guidance of mentor and coach, former professional surfer Luke Egan, for much of his success. Parkinson is as fit as he's ever been but the key is the support he gets from his family and his love of surfing.

"I have a great little team. I have my wife and kids [Monica and daughters Evie and Macey], who are always involved. I've done a lot more training this year. I've changed a lot. I'm giving it as much as I can. But I also think about why I'm doing it and it's because I love it, I'm really passionate about surfing. Every day I get in the water - rain, hail or shine; big, small, whatever."

It's also good to meet a sportsman who's still crazy about what he does; where the grind of competing hasn't rubbed the shine off the joy of surfing.

"I had a day a few weeks ago [in training; free surfing] where the waves were just amazing - perfect big waves, 6-8 foot, and they're the days you can let your hair down.

"You just try and catch the biggest wave and get the best barrel you can and you couldn't care less if you make it or not. You just really want to push your limits and go for it. That day I broke, like, four boards and I was just enjoying playing with Mother Nature."

He's also learned a lot about pressure. "That's my one goal this year - not to bother about pressure. It's a state of mind - you can evaporate that in your head. It seems to be working, I feel really relaxed.

"It happens - everyone chokes. But great people don't choke that much," Parkinson said.

So what will it take for a Kiwi surfer to make it big on the world stage? With the recent emergence of Taranaki surfer Paige Hareb on the women's world tour, it was interesting to know what it would take for one of our own to become a seasoned professional.

"It takes a lot of hard work, for sure." he said. "A lot of people have natural ability and they can just jump on and do it.

"Then there are the people who don't have the ability but have the determination and kind of get there anyway. The best thing for trying to be a better surfer would be just surfing with good surfers in good waves."

Hareb, who has been groomed in the wave rich coastline of Taranaki, is the product of just this type of environment.

"I was so impressed with [Paige] in Tahiti when I was there, I thought she was awesome. She has a big future ahead of her. She's only 18; she's going to be a star."