Coolangatta Gives 2012 ASP World Champion Joel Parkinson A Big Night Out

Thousands converged on the shores of Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast to celebrate his 2012 ASP World Title.

News
• 21.01.2013
• BY Tracks

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Thousands converged on the shores of Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast to celebrate his 2012 ASP World Title.

Joel Parkinson truly is a hometown hero in Coolangatta! Pic Billabong. Pic: ASP

COOLANGATTA, QLD/Australia (Sunday, January 20, 2012) – Last night thousands of friends, family and fans of Joel ‘Parko’ Parkinson converged on the shores of Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast to celebrate his 2012 ASP World Title.

The Snapper Rocks car park was transformed into a festival site with music stage, big screens, food stalls and kids games as the Coolangatta surfing community of all ages gathered to honour their latest world champion.

“It was incredible!” Said an overwhelmed Parko. “I looked out from the stage and there were hundreds of faces – friends, family, surfing mates – all these people who’ve helped me over the years to get to the title, and they were all here for me which was pretty humbling.”

Joining Joel on stage were current ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore, and current ASP World Junior Champion Jack Freestone. All three surf for Snapper Rocks Boardriders Club, and the three acknowledged the role the club has played in their surfing development. Also in attendance were Coolangatta’s other World Champions; Mick Fanning, Mark Occhilupo and Rabbit Bartholomew.

Parko was presented with a coffee table tribute book celebrating his career by Billabong founder, Gordon Merchant. This year marks Parko’s 20th year as a Billabong team rider, while Billabong this year celebrates its 40th year milestone. A digital version of Parko’s tribute book can be found at billabong.com.au/parko

Aussie rockers Wolfmother headlined the evening, with world champions Parko, Mick Fanning, Steph Gilmore and Occy all joining the band on stage for their closing number.

Pics Below: Ben Whitmore/ Surfing Queensland

SUBSCRIBE TO TRACKS

A bi-monthly eclectic tome of tangible surfing goodness that celebrates all things surfing, delivered to your door!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

SUBSCRIBE TO TRACKS

An eclectic tome of tangible surfing goodness that celebrates all things surfing, delivered to your door!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

LATEST

Watch: ‘Day of Days’ with Jordy Smith

Film
• Jake Stolte
• 10.07.2026

One of many reasons why South Africa should be on your surf bucket list.

Natural Selection contest heads to South Africa in September

News
• Jake Stolte
• 09.07.2026

Surfing's elite will face off during a ten day mission across remote South Africa.

Watch: Russ Bierke – ‘A decade of surfing’

Film
• Jake Stolte
• 08.07.2026

A small time capsule of XL caverns, death-defying slabs and big waves most surfers don't want a part of.

Good Trip, Bad Trip with Soli Bailey

News
• Jake Stolte
• 07.07.2026

A four day mechanical tube marathon at an undiscovered sandbar. A Morocco trip where nothing clicked.

PREMIUM FEATURES

Non-Specific South Pacific – Issue 606

BY Luke Kennedy. Photographed by Andrew Shield.

Soli Bailey and Sheldon Simkus on the hunt for unmarked treasure.

Figs For the Taliban – Issue 606

606 •
BY Luke Kennedy. Photographed by Andrew Quilty.

Sydney surfer, Andrew Quilty, went to war-torn Afghanistan to photograph a cricket team. Eight years later he was still there.

48 Hours in Wonderland – Issue 606

BY Shane Fletcher. Photographed by Hayden O'Neill.

Soli Bailey, Dakoda Walters, Harley Walters & Zac Skyring chase hollow dreams.

Two-wheeled Odyssey – Issue 606

606 •
BY & photographed by Laura Wilson & Ben Herrgott

An 8,000km bike ride through Europe and Africa with surfboards in tow.

TRACKS PREMIUM

Get full access to every feature from our print issues, read classic Tracks issues from the 70s, 80s and 90’s, watch all of our classic films & more …

TRACKS PREMIUM

Get full access to every feature from our print issues, read classic Tracks issues from the 70s, 80s and 90’s, watch all of our classic films & more …

CLASSIC ISSUES

August, 1981

July, 1975

June, 1975

February, 1972

PREMIUM FILM

Fitty Fitty

YEAR: 2008

STARRING: JOEL PARKINSON, MICK FANNING AND DEAN MORRISON

This is the last time the original cooly kids were captured together and features some of their best surfing.

Their rivalry helped push each of them onto the world stage but their friendship endured. This is the last time the original cooly kids were captured together and features some of their best surfing.

A film by Shaggadelic Productions

This is a Premium Feature only available to Tracks subscribers.

Existing Subscriber? Login here.

FOR PREMIUM CONTENT - CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO TRACKS

GALACTIK TRACKS

YEAR: 2011

STARRING: DAVID RASTOVICH, OZZIE WRIGHT, CRAIG ANDERSON, RY CRAIKE, DEAN MORRISON & MORE

Seven free surfers embark on a voyage to boldly go where no man had gone before.

Seven free surfers embarked on a voyage to boldly go where no man had gone before.

Not that long ago, in an island chain far, far away, seven free surfers embarked on a voyage to boldly go where no man had gone before. Equipped with an array of surfboards, a packet of crayons and two ukuleles, their chances of success were slim. In pursuit of perfection, they were forced to navigate under the radar of a fleet of imperial boat charters. Despite numerous obstacles, the rebel alliance of wave-riding beatniks continued to make Galactik Tracks into a new surfing cosmos; their search for a Nirvana reaching its climax when they arrived at… The Island of Nowhere.

A film by Tom Jennings

This is a Premium Feature only available to Tracks subscribers.

Existing Subscriber? Login here.

FOR PREMIUM CONTENT - CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO TRACKS

Gathering

YEAR: 2014

STARRING: DAVE RASTOVICH

The film features the enigmatic and free-thinking Dave Rastovich at home on the Far North Coast of NSW.

Gathering is a short film from independent filmmaker Nathan Oldfield, the creator of the award-winning left of centre surf films Lines From a Poem, Seaworthy and The Heart & The Sea. The film features the enigmatic and free-thinking Dave Rastovich at home in the sacred playgrounds of the Far North Coast of New South Wales. The film explores Rastovich’s ideas around how the tension between the industrial and the natural in the surfing world unfolds in that place. Ultimately, Gathering celebrates how diversity and difference in ecosystems, relationships and surfing contribute to the preciousness of life. Gathering is easy on the eyes and ears and Tracks Magazine is proud to present it to you. Nathan Oldfield is a maverick, a filmmaker who wants a surf movie to say something important, to move us and make us grateful for the sea around us and the life within us. His films are quiet, beautiful and brimming with sacred purpose. Tim Winton, Acclaimed Australian Novelist

This is a Premium Feature only available to Tracks subscribers.

Existing Subscriber? Login here.

FOR PREMIUM CONTENT - CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO TRACKS

Wanderlust

YEAR: 2015

STARRING: MIKEY WRIGHT, LOUIE HYND, OWEN WRIGHT, CREED MCTAGGART & CAST OF THOUSANDS

In this quintessentially Australian film, the two friends ride waves with the nation’s best surfers.

From dreamy, north coast points to nights beneath starlit desert skies follow Luke Hynd and Mikey Wright as they embark on a surfing odyssey. In this quintessentially Australian film, the two friends ride waves with the nation’s best surfers, down beers with cantankerous locals and visit some of the more innocuous nooks of the continent’s rugged fringes. Wanderlust lets you rediscover the country and the coastline you love. Be careful, you might even be inspired to toss it all in and embark on your own journey around The Great Southern Land.

This is a Premium Feature only available to Tracks subscribers.

Existing Subscriber? Login here.

FOR PREMIUM CONTENT - CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO TRACKS

PRINT STORE

Unmistakable and iconic, the Tracks covers from the 70s & 80s are now ready for your walls.

Coolangatta Gives 2012 ASP World Champion Joel Parkinson A Big Night Out

LATEST

PREMIUM FEATURES

TRACKS PREMIUM

TRACKS PREMIUM

CLASSIC ISSUES

PREMIUM FILM

PRINT STORE

STAY IN THE LOOP