Tapped Into The Waves By Terry “Tappa” Teece
Pic: Nick Vasicek.
COOLANGATTA’S Nick Vasicek has claimed the 2013 Queensland Championship Circuit (QCC) title in fine form by defeating Snapper Rocks’ Mitch Parkinson in Sunday’s final of the Chiko Burleigh Classic.
It was touted by the media before the last event of the QCC that the title showdown was between these two, and it came down to the wire, Vasicek grabbing his first Queensland title. The waves were fun waist high Burleigh Point, and competitors really ripped in over the two days of competition.
In the end Vasicek’s experienced proved to be the key, positioning and wave selection used better by the 25-year-old Vasicek. Young Mitch Parkinson at 17 is no slouch, and I am sure he will have more than a few titles in the open arena very soon.
His dad, Daryl Parkinson, also know as “DP” or “Deep”, is well know for winning numerous Queensland titles as a teenager – in one event at Noosa back in the ’70s, he was that exhausted he had to be carried back. DP is still no slouch in the water, getting “Deep” in the barrels at the superbank still to this day.
Mitch also has some cousin who surfs pretty well too!
It was Vasicek’s day though, and he really ripped in on his backhand, plenty of beyond vertical re-entries on his way to victory. It was really tight, but time just ran out for Parkinson.
“It was a really tight final and Mitch caught a wave just after the final that would have probably been the score he needed, which just goes to show he’s got a huge future ahead of him,” Vasicek said.
Despite placing second in Sunday’s event and also in the QCC standings, Parkinson will join good friend Vasicek in the Quiksilver Pro Trials next year where they will do battle for a spot in the main event.
Vasicek continued: “I’ve won through to the main event at the Quiksilver Pro before and then tore my ankle ligaments, so I really hope I can do it again, but I’ll be a bit more careful leading into the event this time.”
Parkinson said he was disappointed at the loss, but still elated at the result. “Obviously I’m disappointed that I didn’t win, I would have loved to take home that trophy, but if I could have lost to anyone, I’m glad it was Nick. The important thing for me is that spot into the Quiksilver Pro trials; I’m stoked with that.”
Vasicek’s win also shows some more domination by the Dbah Boardriders, they have won the Kirra Teams Challenge two years running, have the Queensland champion in Nick Vasicek, plus a whole host of rippers in the club. I reckon there might have been a few celebrations by the Dbah lads that night.
World Tour at Keramas
The ASP World Championship Tour is making its inaugural stop at one of the world’s most high-performance waves at Keramas on Bali’s east coast for the Oakley Pro Bali. The waiting period started on Tuesday, and it will be an awesome contest to watch.
Kelly Slater leads the rartings, Mick Fanning just behind, but this event will be one where the air-kings like Josh Kerr, Jordy Smith, Gabriel Medina, and company will be one of the favourites will tipsters.
The Oakley Pro Bali runs from June 18 – 29, 2013, watch the contest unfold live and find more information on the company’s charitable partnership with Reef Check Foundation at www.oakleyprobali.com
Cabarita Boardriders to Host New Event
A little birdy from Cabarita has let me know very soon they will be announcing anew event for Opens and Juniors to be held in about six weeks time. It will be a limited field with an Open Division boasting $5000 for first prize, big name sponsors and undisclosed prize money for the juniors.
Check out “Tapped into the Waves” next week for the full details…
