EP 11: Joel Parkinson

We sat down with one of the most gifted surfers of his generation, Joel Parkinson, 2012 World Champion and co-founder of Balter Brewing.

In this candid and wide-ranging conversation, Joel reflects on life inside the pressure cooker of professional surfing, from his breakout rookie season on the world tour, to four heartbreaking runner-up finishes, and finally capturing the world title in 2012.

We explore the evolution of modern surfing, his deep friendship and rivalry with Mick Fanning, and the mental toll of coming so close for so long. Joel opens up about the highs, the near misses, and what it taught him about resilience, timing, and the role of luck.

He also shares what it was like being a new father while chasing world titles, the behind-the-scenes economics of being on tour, and the moment he knew it was time to walk away from competition.

Post-retirement, Joel helped build Balter Brewing into one of Australia's most loved craft beer brands. We dive into the origin story of Balter, pioneering the XPA, and how the values of surfing translated into business.

Whether you’re a lover of sport, business, or just a great Australian story, this episode is packed with insight, humility and legacy.

Please welcome to World Class Voices, Joel Parkinson.

Joel Parkinson and Sam Hope