For the last few years, Joel Parkinson has used Surfest as his first competitive hit-out of the season.
But this year, Parko will arrive in Newcastle more focused than ever, after recently undergoing eye surgery.
“I was great with close vision, I couldn’t see sets out the back…Been putting it off for a while. Hopefully I’ll be a new and improved Joel.”
Parkinson says Surfest has become a special ritual ahead of the opening event of the world tour at Snapper Rocks.
“It’s good to have a warm up, dust off the cobwebs and surf a few heats. I’ve done it before, come in and surf a few heats. Good to get the blood flowing.”
(AUDIO IN PARTS)
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