When you visit our website, we store cookies on your browser to collect information. The information collected might relate to you, your preferences or your device, and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to and to provide a more personalized web experience. However, you can choose not to allow certain types of cookies, which may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings according to your preference.
These cookies are essential to enable user movement across our website and for providing access to features such as your profile. These cookies cannot be disabled. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information and cannot be used for marketing purposes.
These cookies allow us to analyze visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site and enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers, such as Google Analytics, whose services we have added to our pages. Information collected through these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly and/or we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts or content. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
These cookies are set by a range of social media services that we have added to the site to enable you to share our content with your friends and networks. They are capable of tracking your browser across other sites and building up a profile of your interests. This may impact the content and messages you see on other websites you visit. If you do not allow these cookies you may not be able to use or see these sharing tools.
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.
Fanning, getting ready to perform for his fans Sunday at Snapper. - WSL / Ed SloaneWhile 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?