Local surfing community overjoyed with Fanning’s win
Mick Fanning’s surfing world title win has been greeted with much joy by the surfing community of Ballina and Lennox Head.
Mick is a former Ballina resident and former member of Le-Ba Boardriders. In fact, his mum Liz is a former Le-Ba secretary.
He also attended Southern Cross K12 School at East Ballina.
Mick’s first title win was at Bells Beach in 2001. The then 19-year-old beat a good mate well-known around this area — Byron Bay’s Danny Wills.
Le-Ba president Rod Steeles said: “The (Le-Ba) boys are pretty stoked.”
Rod said Le-Ba was hoping that Mick would be able to attend the club’s 25th reunion, to be held in late December.
“There’s a big chance he might come, although he’s going to have plenty of commitments now,” he said.
Rod described Mick as being ‘very committed’ but said his success hadn’t changed him.
“He’s also definitely one of the boys,” he said.
Mick’s brother Sean was a top-class surfer who looked like having a successful pro career, but he was tragically killed in an accident.
Rod said that Mick looked up to his brother and ‘jumped up another level’ after his death.
“He’s put the hard work in. He’s very dedicated,” Rod said.
“He’s humble, and he respects those who have gone before him.
“Everyone likes him. There wouldn’t be one surfer on the pro circuit who would begrude him the win.”
Mick clinched his maiden Fosters ASP World Title after winning the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro in Brazil today. He was in the water about to surf a semi-final heat against childhood friend Joel Parkinson (AUS) when Taj Burrow (AUS) was eliminated by Tom Whitaker (AUS) and his lifelong dream was realised.
“I woke up this morning and I just had a good feeling that it was going to happen today,” Mick says on the ASP website. “It was so amazing to be out there with Joel. When I realised I’d won I went, ‘What do we do Joel?’ and he was like, ‘I don’t know!’. I was just so stoked to share my first ever heat as the World Champion with him. It was amazing.”
Mick surfed a signature heat to beat Parkinson 18.70 to 12.84 in Semi-final 1 before defending his Brazilian title by beating rookie Kai Otton (AUS) in the final to win the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro. The win marks his 9th Foster’s ASP World Tour event win.
Americans Kelly Slater and Andy Irons have monopolised the World Title for the last five years but Mick’s win today makes him the first Australian to clinch a men’s ASP World Title since Mark ‘Occy’ Occhilupo did so in Brazil in 1999.
“To take the reins over from Oc is incredible,” Mick said. “He is pretty much the legend of the sport. He’s such a character and such a cool guy. Even when I’ve been on tour with Andy, he’s such a determined guy as well and I was there for his first world title. And then there’s Kelly – the guy who gave inspiration to every kid who surfs today, he’s amazing.”
There’s now plenty young surfers in our local area who will be saying much the same things about Mick for many years to come.
PICTURE: Mick Fanning’s mates share his joy at winning the ASP world title. Picture: ASP
