The Road to the 2012 ASP World Title

2012 Pipeline master, Joel Parkinson. Image: ASP

Parko celebrating his win at the Billabong house. Image: ASP

2012 Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons - Day 7 - 141212

2012 Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons - Day 7 - 141212

Joel Parkinson preparing for the 2012 Pipe Masters. Image: ASP

2012 Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons - Day 7 - 141212

2012 Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons - Day 7 - 141212

2012 Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons - Day 7 - 141212

2012 Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons - Day 7 - 141212

Kelly Slater preparing to paddle out at Pipeline. Image: ASP

2012 Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons - Day 7 - 141212

2012 Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons - Day 7 - 141212

Joel Parkinson has just been crowned the 2012 ASP World Tour Champion. After a hard-fought year, here's a look back at the dramatics that comprised the 2012 ASP World Tour. Photo: ASP/Kirstin

Kelly Slater, taking it all in before his morning heat at Pipeline. Photo: ASP

Josh Kerr, despite an injury in the morning's heat, managed to defeat Kelly Slater and in the process gifted the 2012 World Title to Joel Parkinson. Photo: ASP

The year kicked off with a bang, and while Taj Burrow claimed the title at Snapper, Joel Parkinson managed to take fifth. Photo: ASP/Kirstin

Kelly also started off the year with a 5th. Foreshadowing? Photo: ASP

Kelly's signature cutback at Snapper. Photo: ASP

Lightning struck at Bells as Mick Fanning was on point through the duration of the contest. Kelly claimed second. Photo: ASP

And he threw down some serious airs. Photo: ASP

On multiple occasions. Photo: ASP

“I’m so pumped,” Fanning said. “Kelly did that Hail Mary for the 10 and I thought, ‘oh, here we go.’ I just caught waves and I’m stoked it all paid off." Photo: ASP

Parko took advantage of Slater's absence at Rio and registered a second place. Photo: ASP

And John Johm took the top spot. Photo: ASP

Kelly heeded the call as the Volcom Pro Fiji delivered pumping surf. Photo: ASP

A familiar position. Slater raising the top prize in Fiji. Photo: ASP

Lightning struck back in Tahiti. Mick Fanning. Photo: ASP

"To come away with the win is great for my confidence and I’m in a good position heading into the next half of the year," said Fanning. "Early days though and there are a lot of guys right up there. It’s still anyone’s game at this point.” Photo: ASP

Mick. Soaking it in. Photo: ASP

Rivals. Friends. Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson. Photo: ASP

The Tour migrated to Southern California, where Kelly Slater went to work. Photo: ASP

Fanning wasn't going out without a fight. Photo: ASP

The race started to crystallize here as Kelly defeated Parko in the final. Photo: ASP

The victory marked Kelly Slater's 50th Tour win.

Off to the Quiksilver Pro France, Hossegor, La Graviere 2012. Kelly and Parko. Semi Final number one. Photo: ASP

The awards podium looked something like this. Photo: ASP

And Kelly emerged victorious once more. “I had my first win here 20 years ago and that’s pretty crazy. Obviously when you go out there you want to win the heat, but I would have been really stoked if Dane (Reynolds) pulled a 10 out of his hat at the end of the heat, it would have been pretty rad.” Photo: ASP

In one of the most controversial events of the year, Julian Wilson took the top spot at Portugal against Gabriel Medina. Photo: ASP

And he was happy. Photo: ASP

Taj Burrow rose to the challenge in Santa Cruz and extended the title race to the North Shore. Photo: ASP

As the surfers arrived to Hawaii, the heat was on. Parko, headed to the beach. Photo: ASP

Kelly Slater threading Pipe. Classic form. It all came down to the final day where Josh Kerr put an end to the race, handing it to Joel Parkinson. Photo: ASP