Surf legend Mick Fanning rocked by death of third brother

Shattered Gold Coast surfing legend Mick Fanning has posted a heartfelt tribute to his brother Edward, who died suddenly in Africa.

Former World Surfing Champ Mick Fanning with Brother Edward in 2007.

• Sharks, heartbreak and life on the edge

Shattered Gold Coast surfing legend Mick Fanning has posted a heartfelt tribute to his brother Edward, who died suddenly in Africa.

Edward, 48, became the third of Fanning’s brothers to pass prematurely following the deaths of siblings Peter, 43, from a health condition in 2015 and Sean, 20, in a 1998 car crash.

A talented surfer, Edward had been living and working as a surf guide in Madagascar. It’s believed he died after suffering an infected cut.

Fanning, a triple world champion, took to Instagram on Tuesday night to tell of his heartbreak at losing his last surviving brother.

“Ed, love you my brother,” he posted.

“You taught me so much over the years about everything that life could deal up. The good and the bad, you were my teacher.

Mick Fanning has taken to social media in tribute of his late brother.

Mick Fanning has taken to social media in tribute of his late brother.

“You introduced us all to surfing, the joy and freedom of riding a wave. The meaning of going to the ends of the earth to find waves to following a passion in the belief that surfing could be that ultimate job.

“As the years went on, you would fall in and out of the ocean but your pure talent would always shine through. To where you ended up in teaching kids the joy of riding a wave.

“Without you I’m not sure what the world would have made of me so thankyou.”

Fanning said his brother had “the biggest heart” and was “too loyal for your own good”.

“Always sticking up for the underdog and caring for those who needed help,” he wrote.

“You gave everyone everything you had and if you didn’t have it you’d still give it to them. You made your friends feel like super heroes and have so many people the funniest memories that will last a lifetime.

Edward Fanning, pictured with Mick.

“I know at times you found it hard to find your happy place. It warms my heart to know you found it these last few years. To hear the excitement in your voice each time we talked filled me with hope.

“I wish you could accept all the love people would give you. You weren’t perfect but no-one wanted you to be. We just loved Ed.

“The larrikin who would throw a Shaka in every photo or scream yeeeeew at the top of his lungs.

“As you dance down that final road into that eternal sunset, please know we all love you mate.”

The unfathomable news followed the death of Mick’s older brother Peter, 43, as the Gold Coaster duelled for a fourth world title at Hawaii’s Banzai Pipeline in 2015.

Peter died in his sleep from a health-related condition.

His other brother, Sean, 20, was killed in a car crash at Coolangatta in 1998 when Mick was 17 in a tragedy which also claimed the life of another member of the tight-knit southern Gold Coast surfing community, Joel Green.

It’s understood Ed Fanning, aged in his 40s, had been living and working at a surf tour camp in Madagascar, where he had named a surf break after Sean.

Edward’s best mate, well-known Coolangatta bodyboarder Stevie Maher, took to Facebook to share the sad news of his friend’s passing but gave no details on what had happened.

“Firstly I want to send my condolences to the Fanning family … mum Liz, dad John, sister Rachel and brother Mick,” Maher posted.

Edward Fanning, pictured in Madagascar

“My heart is broken to hear the passing of my best mate. I enjoyed and had so many amazing times with you Eddie.

“You were in my wedding party, had so many epic times together in Indo and we were just best mates.

“I’m goin’ to miss you Eddie and now you rest in peace.”

Maher’s friends responded to the news with shock and grief.

“That poor family. So much loss,” one person wrote.

“Heart is broken for you and the Fanning family,” another friend commented.

Mick Fanning is pictured with brother Edward, mum Liz and his sister Rachel at the 2018 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach. Picture: Ian Currie