World champ’s broken board set for new life as ‘signature’ trophy piece for young Tweed surf fans
WHEN Mick Fanning handed his snapped surfboard to little Chloe Gould, little did he know that it would be the start of a signature mission.
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WHEN three-time world champion Mick Fanning handed his snapped surfboard to little Chloe Gould, little did he know that it would be the start of a signature mission for the Tweed Heads local.
Chloe, 12, and her brother Samuel, 9, were in the middle of nippers training at Kirra when the world No. 2 was seen walking along the shore with the broken board.
Joined by their father, Donald, the trio spoke to Fanning about how he broke his board before the 33-year-old handed it to the excited nippers.
“We asked (Fanning) if he was going to repair the board but he said once they’re broken he gets rid of them,” Mr Gould said.
“He then decided to hand it to us. We gave the other half to another Kirra surf club member.”
Gold Coast-based super-grom Korbin Hutchings was also making the most of the 2m swell from Cyclone Marcia before his surfboard snapped, which he then handed to Samuel.
Samuel and Chloe have since amassed more than 40 signatures each but said they won’t stop until they get every World Surf League championship tour surfer’s marking.
The pair have spent every day at the Snapper Rocks contest site in the hope of catching some of their heroes.
“My favourite surfer is Sally Fitzgibbons and Samuel’s is Kelly Slater,” Chloe said.
“We got both their signatures which was really cool. I think we need about 15 more signatures to get them all.”
Mr Gould said once all the signatures are collected he will get the boards framed to hang on the wall at home.
“It’s not every day that you get the world champion’s surfboard complete with signatures,” he said.
“Apparently the board is worth $500 on its own but I think it will be worth a lot more after this.”
Round 2 of the Roxy Pro women’s world tour was held yesterday in small but clean conditions at Snapper Rocks while a lay day was called for the men’s.
Organisers will meet this morning to determine whether to hold Round 3 of the Roxy Pro or possibly round two of the Quiksilver Pro.
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