Joel Parkinson, born on April 10, 1981, is a renowned Australian surfer who has made a lasting impact on the competitive surfing scene. For twelve illustrious years, he dominated the ASP World Championship Tour, amassing an impressive collection of accolades, including eleven elite ASP World Title Events and nine additional ASP tour events. Parkinson's remarkable career has also been marked by four runner-up finishes to the ASP World Title, solidifying his position as one of the most accomplished surfers of his generation.
The pinnacle of Parkinson's achievements came on December 14, 2012, when he secured the ASP World Championship Tour Surfing Title at the Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii. This historic victory was the culmination of a thrilling battle with eleven-time ASP World Title holder, Kelly Slater, who ultimately lost his semi-final heat to Josh Kerr of Queensland, Australia.
With Slater eliminated, Parkinson faced off against Kerr in the finals of the Billabong Pipeline Masters, ultimately emerging victorious to claim his first World Title and the event title. This impressive win marked Parkinson's seventh top-five placing for the year and his first event title victory for 2012, cementing his status as a surfing legend.
