Joel Parkinson received a clip over the ear from an unhappy local bodyboarder in Portugal, after they shared a wave during a freesurf ahead of the Rip Curl Pro.
Like most infringements that occur during a packed session at a beach break with multiple peaks – it’s hard to tell which waverider was in the wrong, or who waited their turn longest.
In the end Parko took a swipe from the palm of the unhappy local for his participation in the ride.
“I had a little run in, but it’s all sorted” said Joel about the incident to close the case. But the comment boards have not stopped ticking over at STAB, where they’ve got photos of the argument.
