Mick Fanning

No Pipe For Me

Red Bull — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 22:47:42 +0000

I’m not doing the Pipe Masters this year. I’m resting a neck injury that’s been giving me grief since Tahiti. I spoke with Marcus Saunders from Surfline about the injury and missing Pipe the other day. Here’s the interview in full…

How did you injure your neck?
I think it happened over time. There wasn’t a specific incident I can remember but I woke up one day and it wasn’t right.
What kind of rehab are you doing?
A bit of chiro and the usual but focusing more on flexibility and strength work. Very slow movements. It’s not much fun.
Does it hurt to surf?
I haven’t surfed much lately but yeah… since Tahiti I’ve been experiencing pain when I surf. Not all the time just when I’d go for certain moves. Some days would be good then the next it was killing me.
What have the doctors recommended?
I got a cortisone shot in the neck after Trestles and it settled it down but surfing really aggravated it.
Are you able to surf at home?
There have been no waves which is a good thing. But, yeah, I can as long as I don’t over do it. No long sessions.
How long has it been since you’ve been home for November?
I think it’s the first thanks giving I’ve missed in 15 years. That’s one thing I really miss. Its such a good day and the food is always insane.
What do you miss most about the North Shore? (So far.)
Obviously the waves but there hasn’t been many so I’m not missing much yet. I also love trying all my new boards that Wade Tokoro does for me. It always feel like Christmas comes early when I get my hands on those Tokoro’s.
What do you miss most about competing?
I’ll probably miss getting into that little zone and seeing if you can get out there and put it all together in the time frame you’re given.
You haven’t had your best year ever; how will you prepare mentally for 2012?
Yeah… it’s been a bit of a shocker. I felt like I was going through the motions a little bit towards the end of the season. So I think having the time away from it all will get the fire burning again and hopefully give my body the break it’s needed for some time.
Who’s gonna win the Pipe Masters?
Dusty Payne! I feel like he is destined for something big. I’m calling he’ll beat John John in the final.

Video: Tubes and stuff

Red Bull — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:54:24 +0000

Here’s a coupla leftover clips from an Indo trip I took earlier this year. Love the place!

Video: Rip Curl Mirage

Red Bull — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:34:20 +0000

Had a ball shooting Rip Curl’s new Mirage campaign in Fiji earlier this year with Owen, Wilko and Brady. The footage that came out of the shoot was amazing. Epic fun to be part of.

Rip Curl Search Pro, San Francisco

Red Bull — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 04:38:04 +0000

The Search events always have a good buzz to them. I like the idea of traveling to and competing somewhere new and I think the rest of the lads on tour feel the same way. I think I adapt pretty well to new destinations and I’m looking forward to seeing what San Fran dishes up. I’ve never been there but Taylor Knox tell me it can get pretty sizey and pumps on its day. I might be out of the title race but I’m keen to finish the year with a couple of big results and I’ll be aiming for a win.

Video: Rip Curl Pro, Portugal

Red Bull — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 21:04:40 +0000

That’s one of the hardest events I’ve had to watch, the waves were firing. Was so bummed to get knocked in Round 3. Still had a great time watching the boys get barreled though. Check out some of the highlights from the quarters and semis..

Rip Curl Pro, Portugal

Red Bull — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 04:34:57 +0000

Portugal has some serious potential. We saw what Peniche is capable of producing in 2009 when it was 8 foot solid and pumping. Waves aside the place has a real buzz to it when the event is in town. The surfing fans in Portugal are some of the most vocal I’ve ever heard. I’m looking to drop some of those 13th places out of my top eight results before the end of the year so I can jump up the ratings a little. Forecast is looking promising for the event window. Let’s do this!

Video: France Highlights

Red Bull — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:06:17 +0000

Get into this little highlights package from the Quiksilver Pro France. Some great surfing in there.

Wave Gardening

Red Bull — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 08:00:15 +0000

Spain, September 2011. Mick Fanning, Owen Wright and friends do some trimming in the Wave Garden.

Quiksilver Pro, France

Red Bull — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 22:00:50 +0000

I love this event. The South West of France is just such a cool place to visit and I really love competing there in front of the massive crowds. The event is mobile and has access to a long stretch of coast that can serve up some of the best beachies in the world. Last year I got my third win at the event. The World Title race is a long shot but I’ll keep fighting. After some fun heats at Trestles I’m feeling good so hopefully we get some decent swell to rip into. Watch the event live here.

Hurley Pro, Trestles

Red Bull — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 04:19:48 +0000

Last couple of years I’ve had pretty poor starts and been chasing big results at Trestles to get my year back on track. 2011 is no different unfortunately. I can take a little confidence in the fact that the second half of the tour has been pretty solid for me. Trestles is an awesome event. The wave is steep but not super punchy so you can really throw the tail around. The crowd at Trestles is always super-vocal and appreciative of our performances and that seems to really push us to want to go big. The last couple of events have been really good for waves. Hopefully the trend continues.