EP 257: Joel Parkinson – Almost quitting at the peak, Rivalries and friendships with Andy Irons, Mick Fanning, Dingo, & Kelly Slater, Raising a family on tour, The Undefeated JS board, and Life after a 2012 World Title

Joel Parkinson is a Gold Coast surfing icon; a CT standout with 11 CT wins, 3 Hawaiian Triple Crowns, 4 World Runner-Ups, the 2012 World Champion, and is globally-renowned as one of the most stylish and consistent competitors in modern surfing history. 

In this year’s first episode of The Lineup, he reflects on the journey that defined his career. Parko opens with the grassroots of Australian surfing, from Snapper Rocks Boardriders’ 60+ year history to why club culture remains the backbone of the sport. He rewinds the tape back to when he was a young 11-year-old grom signing with Billabong for discounted boardshorts–and three decades later, still part of the team, a partnership that endured the ups and downs of brand-athlete relationships in surfing. He reveals how close he came to jumping ship to Rip Curl as a teenager, the jaw-dropping offer from Quiksilver in his early 20s, and why loyalty ultimately won. 

Parko reflects on sharing a team with legends like Mark Occhilupo, Taj Burrow, and Luke Egan, and what it was like witnessing Andy Irons at his peak during the Blue Horizon era. He also shares the unforgettable story of Andy claiming the top room at the Billabong house in Hawaii—rankings be damned. The conversation shifts to life on Tour: traveling with his wife and kids long before it was common, the emotional toll of chasing a World Title while raising a family, and why his wife “deserves more of a World Title” than he does. 

Parko opens up about nearly quitting in 2011 after a brutal New York event, how letting go reshaped his mindset, and the constant mental weight surfers carry when fighting for a Top 5. He dives into his rivalry and lifelong friendship with Mick Fanning and Dean Morrison, addresses the “style” narrative that followed him throughout his career, and gets deep into board talk—from early DHD days to his long partnership with JS Industries, including the mythical board that went 17 heats undefeated.

Learn more about Joel here and follow him here.

Shop the A.I. Collection from Billabong here

Stay tuned to the Bioglan Newcastle SURFEST Presented by Bonsoy, Mar 9 - 15.

Get the latest merch at the WSL Store!

Join the conversation by following The Lineup podcast with Dave Prodan on Instagram and subscribing to our YouTube channel.

Get the latest WSL rankings, news, and event info.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices