Mick Fanning recently announced that this month's Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach will be the last event of his WSL Championship Tour career. But before he steps away from the competitive fold, the Australian hero is setting off some fireworks up the coast at Snapper Rocks.
In the last heat of Round 1 at the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Sunday, he came out firing.
Sunday during Round 1 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, Fanning arrived to masses of adoring fans, who packed the sidewalks to watch him surf. They even stayed through the rain squall that passed overhead, opening umbrellas and cheering ever louder with each wave he rode. The waves had backed off a bit, but it didn't matter to the local fans; they loved Fanning with collective might.
And Fanning, the consummate gentleman, loved them back. Indeed, as he attacked Snapper's long, righthand point, it was hard to believe that he was truly ready to throw in the towel. Despite the lack of consistent waves, he squeezed the life out of the few that came through, to the utter delight of the assembled spectators.
As the 3x World Champ announces his retirement, take a look back at some of the most remarkable moments from his 17 years on tour.
"The crowd was incredible," Fanning said. "In years gone past, I might have tried to block it out, but sitting and surfing out there I really tried to soak it in. I just want to thank everyone for coming down. It would be awesome to win here, but I'm not aiming to win the event for myself. I want to go out and put on a show and perform as a way to thank my family, friends and fans for all the support for all these years."
Adding to Fanning's field of devotees here is the fact that he grew up in Coolangatta, home of Snapper Rocks. As one of the so-called Cooly Kids, along with fellow CT surfers Joel Parkinson and Dean "Dingo" Morrison, here on home turf, he has a kind of rock-star prestige. While Morrison left the Tour years ago and Parkinson has no plans to leave, Fanning's imminent departure -- after 17 years and three World Titles -- further erodes the presence of pros who collectively represent an era. So it was hardly surprising that that long history here, combined with his retirement news, have lifted him to legend-status.
Fanning, getting ready to perform for his fans Sunday at Snapper. - WSL / Ed Sloane
While Fanning was the man of the hour -- or perhaps the year -- his win highlighted the absence of another notable Tour veteran, namely Kelly Slater. The 11x Champ was slated to compete against Fanning in Round 1, but posted on Instagram that he's instead aiming to arrive by Round 2 (which, because Round 1 is a non-elimination round, is permitted in the WSL rulebook).
That left Brazilian rookie Jesse Mendes to face Fanning -- and his fandom -- alone in the inconsistent lineup. While Fanning's win wasn't a total rout, Mendes couldn't quite get past his elder opponent. No slouch in any conditions, he found two mid-range scores during the 30-minute heat, but came up just 1.80 points short. Mendes will face French surfer Joan Duru next in Round 2, Heat 12 when the contest gets going again.
Slater, if he arrives in time, will face CT returnee Keanu Asing. And Fanning, for his part, will get to sit back and relax until Round Three -- not bad practice for retirement.
Watch Round 2 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast live on the WSL and Facebook when competition resumes. The next call is Monday, March 12 at 6:30 a.m. local time.
What Retirement? Mick Fanning Delights Hometown Crowd
Anna Dimond
Mick Fanning recently announced that this month's Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach will be the last event of his WSL Championship Tour career. But before he steps away from the competitive fold, the Australian hero is setting off some fireworks up the coast at Snapper Rocks.
Sunday during Round 1 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, Fanning arrived to masses of adoring fans, who packed the sidewalks to watch him surf. They even stayed through the rain squall that passed overhead, opening umbrellas and cheering ever louder with each wave he rode. The waves had backed off a bit, but it didn't matter to the local fans; they loved Fanning with collective might.
And Fanning, the consummate gentleman, loved them back. Indeed, as he attacked Snapper's long, righthand point, it was hard to believe that he was truly ready to throw in the towel. Despite the lack of consistent waves, he squeezed the life out of the few that came through, to the utter delight of the assembled spectators.
"The crowd was incredible," Fanning said. "In years gone past, I might have tried to block it out, but sitting and surfing out there I really tried to soak it in. I just want to thank everyone for coming down. It would be awesome to win here, but I'm not aiming to win the event for myself. I want to go out and put on a show and perform as a way to thank my family, friends and fans for all the support for all these years."
Adding to Fanning's field of devotees here is the fact that he grew up in Coolangatta, home of Snapper Rocks. As one of the so-called Cooly Kids, along with fellow CT surfers Joel Parkinson and Dean "Dingo" Morrison, here on home turf, he has a kind of rock-star prestige. While Morrison left the Tour years ago and Parkinson has no plans to leave, Fanning's imminent departure -- after 17 years and three World Titles -- further erodes the presence of pros who collectively represent an era. So it was hardly surprising that that long history here, combined with his retirement news, have lifted him to legend-status.
While Fanning was the man of the hour -- or perhaps the year -- his win highlighted the absence of another notable Tour veteran, namely Kelly Slater. The 11x Champ was slated to compete against Fanning in Round 1, but posted on Instagram that he's instead aiming to arrive by Round 2 (which, because Round 1 is a non-elimination round, is permitted in the WSL rulebook).
That left Brazilian rookie Jesse Mendes to face Fanning -- and his fandom -- alone in the inconsistent lineup. While Fanning's win wasn't a total rout, Mendes couldn't quite get past his elder opponent. No slouch in any conditions, he found two mid-range scores during the 30-minute heat, but came up just 1.80 points short. Mendes will face French surfer Joan Duru next in Round 2, Heat 12 when the contest gets going again.
Slater, if he arrives in time, will face CT returnee Keanu Asing. And Fanning, for his part, will get to sit back and relax until Round Three -- not bad practice for retirement.
Watch Round 2 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast live on the WSL and Facebook when competition resumes. The next call is Monday, March 12 at 6:30 a.m. local time.
Mick Fanning
Featuring Yago Dora, Filipe Toledo, Caio Ibelli, Ian Gouveia, Kelly Slater, John John Florence, Gabriel Medina, Julian Wilson, Adriano de
Paul Fisher, Kelly Slater, Stephanie Gilmore, Mick Fanning, Chelsea Hedges, Joel Parkinson, Mark Occhilupo, and Dean Morrison takeover
Icons of surfing take the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro by storm, celebrating Kelly Slater in a World Champ's Super Heat. A lineup that compiled
Former CT surfers Caroline Sarran and Tim Boal add their footprint and their name to the prestigious Anglet Surf Avenue alongside the likes
The 10th stop on tour and the final proving ground as the world's best look to clinch their spots in the Rip Curl WSL Finals. Take a look
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast
With the Boost Mobile Pro Gold Coast starting on April 3rd, relive Gilmore's 2017 victory at the Gold Coast.
It's all happening when the 2018 Championship Tour season kicks off March 11. Take a look at some of last year's biggest moments.
Kate Jones, the Minister for Tourism Industry Development, welcomes the Quiksilver Pro and Roxy Pro Gold Coast.
Only 50 points separate Conner O'Leary and Frederico Morais on the Jeep Leaderboard.
Backsiders dominated Snapper, but can they sustain it at Margaret River?