Mick Fanning New world order
In October 2007 Mick Fanning won the 2007 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) world title. It was a win that no one deserved more. Mick’s ascent to the mantle of being called the best surfer in the world has not been without its obstacles. When Mick was only fifteen he lost his big brother and mentor Sean in a car accident. Then in 2004, he suffered a horrific injury whilst surfing, tearing most of the arse and thigh muscles off his pelvic bone. Such was the severity of the injury, doctors initially were concerned that he may never surf at the elite level again. It took Mick nine months of intensive rehabilitation just to get back in the water.
Since returning from that injury, Mick’s focus, strength and surfing have been taken to a new level. He curbed his love of beer and good times, focusing on the one thing that his natural talent deserved, a world title. In an incredible competitive run over the last twelve months, with the exception of only one event, he has placed third or better in every competition he’s entered. He wrapped up the world championship with one event still remaining and everyone in the business is in universal agreement that right now, and maybe for some time to come, Mick Fanning is the best surfer in the world. HUCK caught up with Mick to talk through his story so far.
HUCK: Okay Mick, let’s go from the start, talk us through the early years.
I was born in Penrith, in the western suburbs of Sydney, miles from the beach and then we moved to Coffs Harbour when I was really young. My dad’s from Donegal County in the north of Ireland and my mum is from England. I started surfing in Coffs Harbour, I had a tiny board and boogie boarded and surfed and mucked around in the ocean, but then we moved back to the western suburbs, to a place called Campbelltown, which is pretty much one of the biggest holes on earth. Luckily we later moved to a placed called Ballina in the far north of New South Wales [NSW]. At age ten or so I played soccer a lot – and did a bit of surfing, but I was way more psyched on soccer than surfing.
Were you any good?
We did all right. I represented Northern NSW and we ended up winning the state titles, which was a pretty big deal. I was a left midfielder.
When did the surfing bug kick in?
When I was twelve we moved up to the Gold Coast and I got sponsored by Quiksilver and that was pretty much it. I didn’t want to join a new soccer team and, yeah, surfing became everything.
When did you realise you were quite good at this surfing thing?
When I first started I made it to the state and Aussie titles when I was about fourteen, but I really didn’t know how far I was going to take it. It wasn’t until I was seventeen that I left school and decided that that’s what I was going to do and took it from there.
Who did you look up to at that age?
Well that was around the time of the Momentum crew, so guys like Kelly Slater, Taylor Knox and Rob Machado, and there was also guys like Occy and Matt Hoy who I looked up to. And then finally there were my mates, the guys I went to school with. Guys like Joel Parkinson and Dean Morrison – those were the guys we hung out with and surfed with each and every day.
Your first World Championship Tour (WCT) win was as at Bells Beach as a wildcard. How was that win?
Well I wasn’t really concentrating on the world tour then. I’d narrowly missed qualifying the year before and was just working on that. I’d actually just won the previous event at Margaret River, which was a big event and I sort of went to Bells on a high and the waves were pumping and before I even knew it, I was ringing that Bell.
You’ve now been on the WCT for five years – when did you first start to think of the world title as a serious goal?
My first year on tour I ended up fifth; for a rookie year that’s pretty good. So I suppose from the start I thought that if I could string a good year together then I’d be going close to the world title. And I’ve been in the race a couple of times up until the last few events and then fell away. This year I had a great start and then had five solid results and just got on a roll.
How has it been being the front-runner for the first time?
Yeah there’s been times when I felt different when the pressure of leading was there, but I just looked at myself then, recharged my focus and tried to treat it like I was chasing and that seemed to work.
What is it about surfing that gives you most enjoyment right now?
The most enjoyment is just pure surfing – there is different enjoyment with different things. It might be paddling out at a fun little beach and trying different moves that I can’t do, or it might be going on trips with mates, but I also enjoy the competition side of things – just testing myself in all different conditions and against the best guys.
How much fun are those boat trips?
Just going away with your mates is pretty much the best thing there is. When I started surfing it was with my mates every day, but now it’s a career it’s hard to get those opportunities. I guess it’s like when people graduate from university and become lawyers or tax people or whatever silly jobs there are out there and they just organise a trip or weekend away with the boys. It’s all fun and games; that’s what you live for – to get perfect waves with your best mates.
You mentioned before looking up to Kelly Slater and Occy and those guys – how does it feel now that they are your fierce rivals?
I still love watching Kelly surf and I love going up against Kelly because he brings out the best in you. I mean, going up against an eight-time world champion – that’s about as good as it gets.
And now the kids are looking up to Mick Fanning – how is that?
Yeah, it’s pretty funny. As a kid I was a bit shy around my heroes so I didn’t really run around asking for autographs, but it’s such a cool thing! I mean, you think of the times when you are doing gay photo shoots in the clothes and stuff but then a kid getting all stoked on you is a highlight.
The word everyone seems to be associating with you is focus. How did you maintain that?
I just focused on the very next heat every time, not the events down the track – you can’t put yourself in the final when you are only in the second round. It was the same with the world title race – heat by heat that was the goal all year.
You’ve toned down the partying a little as well?
I think you gotta play as well – but now I wait to the end of the event. Plus, the missus keeps me in line – you know if I’m getting a bit weird she’ll pull me into line and make me evaluate what’s going on, which is a big help.
It seems to be working…
Yeah, my life is really good at the moment, I wouldn’t change anything. I’m a world champion. I’ve got a beautiful fiancée that I love. I’ve got some hell mates and I’ve got the best career in the world. Well, for me anyway, and enough money to live comfortably. And you know what, I’ve also got a bloody good dog too!
The original story appeared in Huck #008.
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