THE only Australian world champion competing on the men’s world surf tour will surf his last event in December with Joel Parkinson following mate Mick Fanninig into retirement.
Parkinson revealed his decision prior to surfing his first heat at the J-Bay Open in South Africa on Monday night.
GOAT’S D-DAY: Kelly Slater sets retirement date
Parkinson on Monday night told The Daily Telegraph from South Africa he felt an immense sense of relief as soon as he revealed his retirement plans.
“It was like a giant weight came off my shoulders,” said the 2012 world champion in a phone call just after he beat world No. 1 Julian Wilson in his round one heat of the J-Bay Open — an event he won two decades ago.
“I’m pretty happy. It’s such a relief. It’s been on my mind for a while.
“To have people telling me, ‘it’s OK, you will turn things around’. I love that I don’t have to deal with that anymore.”
Parkinson said he had lost his “fire” to compete at such a high level and knew the time was right to farewell the world tour.
Fanning retired at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach over Easter.
Parkinson’s last event will be the Pipeline Masters in Hawaii in December.
“I have no more fire or desire to want to win, I just want to surf and enjoy it,”
said Parkinson, at 37, the second oldest surfer on tour behind Kelly Slater, 46.
Parkinson announced his decision at a venue he has special memories at and where he has won in the past.
“The tour has given me so much. So many memories, so many friends, the chance for my kids to see the world, but it’s time to move on to the next chapter,” he said.
“That means one last lap of the tour and I can’t wait to catch up with a lot of old friends and get a few waves along the way starting this week at J-Bay.”
Parkinson said he knew earlier this year the time was right to retire from the competitive arena but wanted to “let a little water go under the bridge” between his and Fanning’s retirement announcements.
Parkinson and Fanning, the Cooley Kids, have been surfing with and against each other since their teens.
“But it was hard at Bells Beach (Fanning’s final event) knowing I would never get back there as a competitor, walk up those stairs again.
“It was sad.
“It’s nice to know that from now on every time I compete I will be able to thank all my friends, all the people who have been with me along the way.”