Mick Fanning retirement: Surfing legend working hard to avoid embarrassing exit from pro tour
A DAY after Mick Fanning announced his retirement from elite surfing the former world champion revealed he is heading straight back into the water and the gym so he’s not a ‘fat, washed-up slob’ for his final two events.
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A DAY after announcing his retirement from elite competition, Mick Fanning says he is heading straight back into the water and the gym so he’s not a “fat, washed-up slob” for his final two surfing events.
Fanning said he owed it to himself, the sport and fans to give his all at this month’s Quiksilver Pro at Snapper Rocks and then the Roxy Pro at Bells Beach.
“I’m still getting ready for the first two events and excited to put in some good performances before I go. I don’t want to come in as a fat, washed-up slob,” said Fanning, who confirmed his retirement on Wednesday night, saying he could no longer give 100 per cent to competitive surfing.
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“I’ll go to the gym, try and lose some kilos.
“I feel I owe that to the fans of the sport and the people who support me.
“I’m excited to go and compete knowing I will be done in a month and don’t have to go for the whole year.”
Fanning said while Snapper Rocks and Bells Beach were familiar turf, he was unsure if he could bow out of the sport with fairytale wins.
“I don’t know how I will go,” said Fanning, who won the Quiksilver Pro in 2007 and 2005 and the Roxy Pro Bells Beach in 2015, 2014, 2012 and 2001.
“I’m not going to roll over for anyone but I probably won’t shoot them either.”
Fanning said he was tempted to make the Quiksilver Pro on the Gold Coast his final hurrah.
“But Bells is a special place and where I started my career,” he said.
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“It’s a place I feel comfortable at and I love the magic down there.
“To finish at home would be awesome but I felt like I wanted to be part of the Australian leg for more than just one event.”
The triple world champion, attacked by a shark while competing in South Africa in 2015, said his entire family will be by his side for his swan song event.
“That’s pretty awesome. It will be great to have my whole family there,” said Fanning, who has the names of his late brothers Sean and Peter inked on his arm in their memory.
“They’ve never all been together at once.
“Who knows, there could be fireworks. It’s going to be interesting.”
Fanning said he was at peace with his decision to stop surfing competitively and, while he knows he will always be “that shark guy”, would also like to be remembered as a good sport.
“People can remember me any way they want,” he said. “I just have always tried to do my best in every area.
“But for sure I’d like to be remembered as a good sport. It was a priority with me when I went to compete that I did it by the rules and as a gentleman.”