Mark Howard's the Howie Games With Special Guest Joel

The Howie Games is where the biggest names in the world of sport go one-on-one with sports journalist, Mark Howard.

From ultimate highs to tear-jerking lows, Howie lifts the lid on the real stories behind the headlines. He sits down with the biggest names in Australian & world sport, finding out how they started out, what makes them tick, how they deal with the big wins and tough losses, and how they take on sport and life.

Joel Parkinson's story is a sporting classic.

The loveable larrikin known as "Parko" hit the big time as an 18-year-old kid from the Gold Coast, re-writing surfing history at Jeffrey's Bay, South Africa. After scoring a wildcard start in the Billabong Pro, the teenager from Coolangatta paddled out against the world's best surfers and proceeded to systematically dismantle them.

Regarded as one of the most naturally gifted and stylish surfers to grace the sport – Parko finished runner-up for the WSL – World Title an astonishing four times (2002, 2004, 2009, 2011). His story of perseverance despite injury and heartbreak was rewarded when he secured the elusive world title in 2012 by defeating 11-time world champ Kelly Slater at the Billabong Pipeline Masters.

Married to his high school sweetheart, Monica – Parko committed to taking his family (daughters Evie & Macy + son Mahli) on the road with him from a young age—typically competing at his best when those closest were around.