Mick Fanning admits he struggles with shark attention as he plots new life out of surf

SURFER Mick Fanning said his infamous battle with a shark live on TV brought him a level of celebrity he has struggled with, revealing “I don’t really want to be that famous.”

Mick Fanning being attacked by a shark in South Africa.

SURFER Mick Fanning said his infamous battle with a shark live on TV bought him a level of celebrity he has struggled with, revealing “I don’t really want to be that famous”.

A beleaguered Fanning, dealing with the attack, a marriage breakup and the loss of a second brother, said he is excited about starting a new chapter of his life out of the water and hopefully away from “all that’’ media hype.

Mick Fanning preparing for life away from the spotlight.

“It’s a different world,’’ Fanning said of the worldwide attention he garnered in the wake of his fight for survival with a shark live on TV while competing in July last year.

“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.’’

Mick Fanning surfing at Kirra near his Gold Coast home.

Along with the time to spend on two new business ventures — a Gold Coast brewery and a US charger company — Fanning said being able to slip away from the limelight is just one of the advantages of his decision to step back from the world tour for the first time in 15 years.

Mick Fanning being attacked by a shark in South Africa.

The 33-year-old has been unable to fly under the radar at all since the attack with the death of his brother Peter while chasing the world crown at Pipeline in December and his marriage breakdown both hitting the headlines.

Mick Fanning at the funeral service for his brother Peter Fanning. Pic: Jerad Williams,

“It’s exciting to be able to find me again,’’ said Fanning in his first indepth interview on a range of topics.

“I’m just playing it as it comes. It feels good to have no plans.’’

Fanning is also looking forward to swapping his board for business with the marketing side of the new venture appealing to him.

“We’ve got the brewery and I’m involved with a charger company in the state, Grapes, which has been really exciting,’’ he said.

“There are some other deals I have going but I can’t say much about them yet.’’

Mick Fanning preparing for life out of the water.

Fanning said he made the decision to take a time out from professional surfing in January, admitting it was a relief when it became public last week.

“I’m good. It feels right,’’ he said.

Mick Fanning enjoying great swell at Snapper Rocks. Pic by Luke Marsden.

But Fanning won’t be going cold turkey, with the triple world champion to contest the opening World Surf league event of the year, the Quicksilver Pro, at his Snapper Rocks home break and then the Rip Curl Bells Beach classic.

He will then begin his journey “to find me again’’ away from the competitive arena.