Joel Parkinson signs on with JS Surfboard industries

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Joel Parkinson Rides Into 2006 With JS Surfboard Industries

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 01 March, 2006 : - - (Coolangatta, Gold Coast) Coolangatta surfing prodigy and 2004 world number two Joel Parkinson has signed a three year contract for an undisclosed sum of money to ride the surfboards of world renowned Gold Coast based surfboard shaper Jason Stevenson (JS).

Parkinson, who finished 12th on the world tour standings at the end of 2005, said stepping onto new equipment is all about reaching his ultimate goal of achieving a world title and becoming the only Australian since Mark Occhilupo (1999) to do so.  The official deal was signed today atop Kirra hill, overlooking the famous “Super Bank”, alongside a massive Cat Tractor to which Parkinson was handed the keys.  JS Surfboards are distinguished by a unique tractor logo.

The 24-year-old will start the seasoning opening WCT at his home break of Snapper with a completely new quiver of boards, something the local favourite is completely at ease with.  Having won the WCT at Snapper in 2002, Parkinson is confident of a strong year in 2006 and feels a world title is within reach.

“I have been testing my new JS’s all over the Goldy in the past week with all the swell that has been around and they have just felt insane,” said Parkinson.  “It’s a natural progression for me, and it’s also important to have JS just around the corner and be able to work together to get the boards perfect.”

“Snapper has been pumping, and it is pretty much a dream having the first event of the year at a spot I have surfed since I was eight years old,” said Parkinson.  “I’m hoping that the tractors can plough me through a few good pits behind the rock.”

“I was a bit down on last year, finishing outside the top ten, especially after getting second to Andy only two years before,” said Parkinson.  “There is a whole new crew on tour this year, so it is going to be different, as long as I keep surfing well, I know I can be up there.”

Rated among the best shapers in the world Stevenson has expanded his shaping business in the past five years, joining James “Chilli” Cheal, Dylan Longbottom and Stuart Darcy as part of the shaping team behind the international Billabong Surfboard label along with driving his JS shapes to an over seas market.  After nine years in the trade, JS Industries is now one of the largest surfboard manufacturers in Australia.

The addition of Parkinson to an already impressive list of team riders which includes Bruce Irons (Haw), Dean Morrison (Coolangatta) Luke Egan (Coolangatta) and Adrian Buchan (Avoca) is a dream come true for the 34-year-old, and something he has looked forward to achieving over the past few years.   Also riding Billabong boards shaped by Stevenson include three times world champion Andy Irons (Haw) and tour rookie Shaun Cansdell (Mullaway).

“I’m over the moon that Joel will be riding JS Boards this year,” said Stevenson today.  “Just watching Joel surf is incredible, he is so in tune with how to best surf an individual wave rather than just throwing out the same old combination of moves.  I’m looking forward to working on new curves with Parko and then flowing that through to the boards your average guy can buy from the store.”

“For me, I will be working towards Parko winning a world title,” admitted Stevenson.  “There would be nothing better than to be standing on the beach when he does get one and knowing he has done it on a board I shaped.”

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Bree Andrews
International Sports Australia
bree@internationalsports.com.au

Damian Bullock
General Manager JS Industries
bullo@jsindustries.com

Team News - Surfersvillage