Mick Fanning says not even Quiksilver Pro win at home break will deter him from time out

MICK Fanning says not even winning the Quiksilver Pro at his home break would convince him to reverse his decision on taking a sabbatical from the world tour.

Surfer Mick Fanning surfing at Mentawai Islands.

MICK Fanning says not even winning the opener of the World Surf League at his Snapper Rocks home break would convince him to reverse his decision on taking a sabbatical from the world tour.

Triple world champion Fanning will contest the first two events of WSL before stepping away from the tour in his first major break from the sport in 15 years.

Mick Fanning at home with his surfboards. Pic: Corey Wilson/Rip Curl

“My mind is made up,” said Fanning, who could be surfing again as early as this weekend if the Quiksilver Pro is activated at his home break at Snapper Rocks.

“Even if things go really well I will be taking the time off.

“World titles are amazing but they are not everything to me.

“I want to do something different for a while.’’

Fanning has penned his name on the start list for the Quiksilver Pro and the following Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach.

Fanning has a stellar history in both events, winning the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast in 2007 and 2005 and the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach in 2015, 2014 and 2001.

Mick Fanning at last year’s Quiksilver Pro at Snapper Rocks. Pic: Tim Marsden

But the 33-year-old, who has endured the loss of a brother and a marriage breakup in the past few months, said no matter his results this year he will be taking a break post the Bells Beach event.

“I don’t think I will be emotional about it at all,’’ he said of his impending break.

Mick Fanning at the World Surfing Awards Night on the Gold Coast.

Recently crowned world champion Adriano de Souza and former world champion Gabriel Medina headline the international line-up for the event with leading Australian hopes including Fanning, fellow local Joel Parkinson and Julian Wilson.

American and 11-time world champion Kelly Slater is also competing with Micky Wright, the younger bother of Owen and Tyler Wright, a wildcard.

Originally published as Mick Fanning says not even Quiksilver Pro win at home break will deter him from time out