Joel Parkinson expects new generation of surfers to make a solid impact during 2012 ASP World Tour
Australia’s Joel Parkinson stated that the hype surrounding the new generation of surfers on the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Tour is completely justified.
Talking about the young surfers who were still relatively new to the biggest stage of surfing, the 30-year-old Parkinson said, “Those young guys are unbelievable with what they’re doing and their surfing is worthy of the hype, but I’m happy for them to have
it. I think we all went through that when we were younger, the whole hype thing it comes and goes, but I guarantee this year or next year the Medinas, the John Johns, the guys coming through like Yadin, they’ll break the Top 10 and be there quite a while.”
According to the Queensland-native, the young talent may serve to be a blessing in disguise for the likes of America’s Kelly Slater and other heavy-weights of surfing as their vast experience and heavily-loaded arsenal gives them a significant edge over
the relatively inexperienced young surfers.
However, the rate at which the new generation of surfers are making progress and managing to make their presence felt at the competitions, it will not be long before they will earn the status of favourites at elite tour events.
With the young surfers bringing their innovative styles and moves to competitions, the level of surfing contests is definitely increasing. Despite his massive experience, Parkinson is careful not to undermine the young guns and constantly working on his
skills to make them sharper and deadlier.
He conceded that he is working on his weaknesses, which include his aerials. Highlighting the importance of knowing one’s strengths and weaknesses, the Australian said that it is crucial for a surfer to have the ability to adjust to the varying surfing conditions
that he will have to compete in during the course of the tour. It is only after a surfer rides different breaks that he discovers his strong and weak points. That is where experience comes in and that is what gives the older guys an advantage over the newer
generation of surfers.
The old and new generation of surfers will come face to face at the opening event of the 2012 ASP World Tour, Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, which is scheduled to get underway at Snapper Rocks in Queensland, Australia, from February 25.
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