David

To be able to say you were there, is basically the end of the
story a full stop.
Well this little story, as there is much more that could be said but sometimes a little is all you need…

Is my observations and moments with my friend David Parkes. The kneeboard world is well aware of him and his achievements and they’re quite astonishing as he has shown his durability, ability and class over and over again.

Ability

I first met David when he was riding a BJ single fin shaped by Richard Evans he was on the north side for a contest and we chatted as Richard was one of my shaping instructors and I got on well with the Maroubra guys, I always have. David soaked up design info like a sponge and wanted to shape. He had a raw style at the time he was still developing, but he had wonderful wave smarts and could and did get the good ones. In time he came and visited me and we surfed some pretty serious waves together and he wasn’t shy about ditching his board and grabbing mine to get some extraordinary barrels on it. He went away soaked up with inspiration as we did from surfing with him. He applied what he learnt by riding a different board with different rocker outline etc And he took it to a new level and today the guys who ride his boards are equally benefiting from David’s research and development.

Loyalty

We both represented Australia in the first surfing team that had kneeboard riders. We surfed solid waves in Hawaii, Victoria, West Australia and NSW. And many contests together and times discussing shapes, designs and particularly fins. He gives credit when credit is due is not a closed shop to ideas. And loves what he does, is fiercely loyal to his family and friends. And if you asked me to pick a big wave kneeboard surfing team of 4, he would be the Captain. He has never forgotten where he came from or how he got to where he is now. Its been no accident he has achieved excellent results, he has worked hard on his surfing in all sorts of different waves it’s his love of surfing and a hunger to improve that drives him, also he used to hate to lose but, now he has matured beyond the need to compete. In every sport you have contributors, icons, Trail Blazers.

Credibility

David is all of these his development of the 4 fin was extraordinary, and with his insight he can turn ok surfers into real good ones thru his surf craft. And still does so today, having seen him basically from the word go i was in there when he won his first National Title in 79. And yes I was there when he got spat out of many an impossible tube. It’s a nice feeling to say that, for so many different aspects in life as a kneeboard rider he has a lot to be proud of ,but he is a humble man and that’s what makes him all the more special to me. And many of you I am sure will agree. Thank you David for your inspiration and this really doesn’t do you justice, its just a little story about David a bloke who lives what he loves and I just happen to be around at a couple of the places on his way. Glad I was.

NL

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