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Joel Parkinson says, by eradicating the "brain farts" on a wave, compatriot Julian Wilson has transformed into a world surfing champion in waiting.

Retiring Joel Parkinson says its a matter of when, not if, Julian Wilson joins him as a world surfing champion.

The Queensland pair will brave the famed Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii's season-ending World Surf League event from Sunday morning (AEDT).

If Wilson, equal second on the series ladder, wins the Billabong Pipe Masters and leader Gabriel Medina doesn't make the final the 30-year-old will win a maiden world title.

Parkinson will farewell the tour after 18 years at the break he conquered to win his lone title six years ago.

Runner-up on four other occasions, Gold Coast's Parkinson knows how hard it is to win one but says Wilson is ready.

"He'd make small errors and it'd cost him a heat," the 37-year-old told AAP.

"But his consistency, maturity, mental toughness ... he's ironed out the brain fart moments in a heat where it goes bad.

"Whether it happens this year or next; he's in his prime and I think between 30-33 is the best time when you still have your youth but you've been on tour for some time."

Wilson won the season-opener on the Gold Coast despite battling a serious shoulder injury and his round nine win in France shot him into serious title contention.

He is the only non-Brazilian to win a leg this year, with Medina and Filipe Toledo (equal second with Wilson) both more than capable of carving up the Hawaiian break to secure the title.

But the unpredictable nature of Pipe means there are no certainties next week, while the withdrawal of defending world champion John John Florence - he had hoped to return from injury at his home event - is another plot twist.

Parkinson can win a fourth Triple Crown of Surfing - a revered side-event made up of two lower-level Hawaiian lead-up events and the Pipe Masters - and ideally help his mate out by defeating a Brazilian on the way to a good result next week.

"That would be a huge scalp, it'd be something," he said of taking Medina or Toledo's scalp.

"But Pipe's one of those places where you paddle out and a wave doesn't come near you after you've been the best surfer for four days.

"It can be your worst enemy or your best friend out there."

Championship Tour Standings

* Gabriel Medina (BRA) - 56,190 points

* Julian Wilson - (AUS) 51,450

* Filipe Toledo (BRA)- 51,450

* Italo Ferreira (BRA)- 43,070

* Owen Wright (AUS) - 35,570

Other Aussies: Wade Carmichael 7th, Mikey Wright 12th, Adrian Buchan 15th, Matt Wilkinson 24th, Connor O'Leary 26th, Joel Parkinson 28th.

(10,000 points for first, 7800 for second, 6085 for third)

World Title Scenario

* If Medina finishes first or second, he will win his second world title.

* If Medina finishes third, Wilson or Toledo must win the event to win the title.

* If Medina finishes 5th or worse, Toledo or Wilson need to make the final to claim the title.