Australian surfing legend Mick Fanning announces retirement

IN a career spanning 17 years Mick Fanning claimed three world surfing crowns and punched a shark in the face live on camera. Now the Australian surfing legend has decided his last competitive event will be at Bells Beach in four weeks’ time.

He punched a shark on live TV in a fight for survival screened around the world but triple world surfing champion Mick Fanning has chosen to reveal he will quit elite surfing as quietly as possible, admitting he can no longer give 100 per cent to competition.

Fanning, on Wednesday night, elected to use social media to reveal the time has come for him to draw the curtain on his competitive career at the famed Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach classic next month - the scene of his first world tour win as a wildcard surfer 17 years ago.

After a tumultuous four years which also saw him suffer a marriage breakdown and the loss of a second brother, Fanning, 36, has decided to step away from the world tour after almost two decades of elite competition.

“I feel like I’ve just lost the drive to compete day in day out now,” Fanning said.

Mick Fanning is announcing his imminent retirement from competitive surfing. Picture: Corey Wilson/Red Bull

“It’s been something I’ve been doing for 17 years, and even before that through QS (qualification series ) and juniors, and I feel that I just can’t give it 100 per cent anymore.

“I’m just not enjoying it as much as I was in the past. I still love surfing, and I’m still super excited by it, but I feel that’s there’s other paths for me to take at this stage in my life.

“As for choosing to retire at Bells, I’ve always had in mind that my last event on Tour

was going to be Bells.

“That’s basically where I started my career, it was my first ever CT win, and I feel really connected down there.”

It is understood one of Australian sports greats will stay closely involved in surfing as it prepares for its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games.

The imminent retirement of the “Coolie kid” means Mark Richards’ Australian record of four world titles will remain unchallenged for years to come with only one male Aussie surfer currently on tour - Joel Parkinson - boasting a world crown.

Mick Fanning has three world surfing crowns to his name. Picture: Corey Wilson/Red Bull

Fanning has never courted the limelight and admitted to the Daily Telegraph in the wake of the shark attack how uncomfortable he was with the “celebrity” of his survival.

“It’s a different world,’’ Fanning said of the worldwide attention he garnered before taking almost a year’s break from the world tour in 2016.

“It is not something I like to chase.

“I’m happy to sweep through the shadows.

“It was hard. Dealing with stuff I have never really dealt with.

“I don’t really want to be that famous.’’

Known as “White Lighting” for his speed and white blonde hair, Fanning is, however, the boy from Penrith in Sydney’s west who famously conquered the world of surfing in 2007, 2009 and 2013.

But he also endured personal heartbreak with the loss of brother Sean in a car accident in 1998 and more recently older brother Peter, in his sleep in December 2015.

Mick Fanning has been surfing competitively for 17 years. Picture: Corey Wilson/Red Bull

The news of his brother’s death came just the night before he was to challenge for his fourth world crown - a feat which proved impossible in the circumstances.

Fanning, who has the names of both brothers inked on the underside of his left arm, took a year off from the world tour for personal healing but returned in 2017 to prove he could still match it with the best - and another shark.

Incredibly Fanning had another close call with a shark at the J-Bay Open last year when one swam into the competition area while he was surfing.

Fanning has numerous businesses, including a Gold Coast-based brewery, and charity work to keep him busy out of the water.

The 36-year old was in 2017 years awarded an Order of Australia for his services to sport and charity.

“When I put a smile on peoples’ faces that makes me happy. I come home buzzing from it,” Fanning told the Daily Telegraph of his charity work which includes being a Starlight Ambassador.

“After so many years on tour, it’s been so fun,” Fanning said on Wednesday night.

“It’s been a rollercoaster for sure, you have your peaks and valleys, but you know, when I look back on my time on tour it’s amazing memories - from building myself up to compete, to heat wins and event wins, celebrating with friends and just seeing places I never thought I’d even get too.”