Joel Parkinson looking to make a solid impact at Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast – Surfing News
Australia’s Joel Parkinson is looking to settle for nothing less than top honours at the first stop of the 2012 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Tour, Quiksilver Pro.
The 30-year-old Parkinson revealed that he had been training really hard for the latest season of the ASP elite tour, concentrating primarily on his physical fitness. He has also been working on his mental fitness over the last few years, which aids him
in remaining focused for an event.
The Australian surfer believes that all this preparation will serve as a crucial factor in his performance at Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast that is scheduled to get underway at Snapper Rocks in Queensland, Australia, from February 25.
Parkinson had won the opening event of ASP elite tour in 2002 and 2009, something that highlights his comfort in the waves breaking at Snapper Rocks. However, he admitted that he still feels under pressure before the start of the season, especially with
the home crowd having huge expectations from him. He conceded that he has been putting in a lot of effort to keep his cool and maintain his composure prior to the start of the season.
“I used to get that nervous, excited feeling a few weeks before Snapper, but the year is so long that you try and hold that off as much as you can because once it starts it’s hard to stop – it’s like a steamroller,” said the Australian. “I’m sure now that
once we’re a week away my blood will start to bubble and get I’ll that feeling soon.”
Parkinson further added that even though he is feeling excited about the upcoming season and wants to do well, he is letting the ultimate goal fog his mind as that would put him under more pressure.
He admitted that while winning the title was the prime goal for every surfer competing in the World title race, it was important to take it one heat at a time and not lose focus.
Parkinson will be facing the likes of his compatriot Mick Fanning, Taj Burrow, Owen Wright, as well as Brazil’s Jordy Smith and Gabriel Medina in the latest season of ASP World Tour.
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