Mick Fanning’s number 7 the top seller as World Surf League debuts new line of pro jerseys for fans

FANS deplete supplies of Mick Fanning’s number 7 jersey as new WSL merchandise flies off the shelves at the Quiksilver Pro.

Kobe O'Brien, 8, is delighted he got a shirt of his favourite surfer Joel Parkinson during the 2016 Quicksilver and Roxy Pro surfing at Snapper Rock, Gold Coast. Picture: Regi Varghese

FORGET Gold Coast Titans footy jumpers because Mick Fanning’s World Surf League number 7 jerseys have flown off the shelves at the Quiksilver Pro.

And little Chad O’Brien who drove all the way up to the Gold Coast from Port Kembla in NSW was devastated the Fanning shirts were so popular they sold out in the first two days of the event.

“Mick Fanning is my favourite surfer because he shreds,” the nine-year-old said.

His little brother Kobe had more luck and managed to get a Joel Parkinson number 81 shirt at the first event they’ve ever been offered.

After forking out $65 for the shirt, Kobe even got to meet the 2012 world champ after his wife Monica saw the eight-year-old and hauled him into the athletes’ area.

Kobe O'Brien (right), 8, was delighted to snag a Joel Parkinson jersey
but his brother Chad O'Brien, 9, was not as lucky — he missed out on a Mick Fanning jersey after they sold out. Photo: Regi Varghese

“I like Joel Parkinson because he shreds and he’s nice because I got to meet him in person,” Kobe said.

“I got to go into the competition area and meet him.”

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Quiksilver, Roxy Pros 2016

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The boy’s dad, Matt O’Brien, who takes them surfing every day after school, said Chad was gutted when he found out his hero’s jersey had sold out.

“Even the girl at the desk started crying because he just bawled when he found out there weren’t any left,” he said.

Workers at the event merchandise desk said Kelly Slater shirts had also gone and there were only a handful of Julian Wilson’s left.

“Mick jerseys sold out in two days, Kelly’s went in three and there are only a handful of Julian Wilson’s left,” said workers at the WSL event merchandise desk.

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Stephanie Gilmore’s number 88 jersey wasn’t far behind.

“Stephanie Gilmore jerseys are selling better than most of the men — we’ve only got a few left that would fit six-year-olds,” she said.

Merchandise desk workers would not reveal how many jerseys had been ordered but they have become a popular sight in the competition area.

The shirts have come on sale this year for the first time after athletes were able to choose playing numbers last year.