The contest start date is in sight as both surfers make final preparations for the season opener. Mick dials his boards in for the Quiksilver Pro at Snapper Rocks. In Darren Handley of DHD, Mick has a shaper who labours over the 2x world champ's equipment, and it shows. Mick's also got his training regimen to keep on top of, as he looks to surf more, the closer the contest gets.

Joel, itching for a chance to put on a rashy and knock some of the rust off, heads to Newcastle's Surfest to warm up for the opener at Snapper. Having missed out on his usual warm up event, the Burleigh Breaka Pro, it's the first time he's competed in nearly three months and serves as a confidence-builder of the best sort.

Episode three of 21Days: Parko/Fanning is the last chapter documenting the lives of these two sportsmen as they ready themselves for the first test of the new year. The final lap before the flag drops might be the most nerve-wracking, but it's also the most exciting.