Mick Fanning is now more than human.
Once upon a time there was a surfer named Mick Fanning. He was from Australia’s Gold Coast and he acted like it. Good times were a high calling and good times were, of course, synonymous with drink. Mick was so good at good times that an alter ego would appear and his name was Eugene. Surfers would laugh and say, “Ahhhhh Eugene was out last night. It was crazy!” There are many, many Eugene stories but, in reality, Mick and Eugene were just the same good times Coolie Kid.
He grew up, maybe drank less, took surfing more seriously. Worked out, trained, won world titles. A nice career enshrined on a fine mantle.
And then 2015 happened. First he fought off a great white shark, then he humbly talked about it on 60 Minutes with a lovable “shucks, who me?” attitude, then he gave all the money for humbly talking about it on 60 Minutes to an unfortunate kid who actually got chomped by a great white then he made a kid with cancer’s dream come true and now he saved Evan Gieslman’s life.
Of course he did not save Evan Gieslman’s life. That was South African Andre Botha bodyboarder and hero but Mick came in and, generously lent a hand, which is no small thing. Rushing into the fray is wonderful but Mick rushed in well after Mr. Botha had done the miraculous. Still, Mick’s assistance is the headline that led Australia’s press. MICK FANNING HELPS RESCUE DROWNING SURFER! And Eugene has officially become St. Mick.
I wonder how it feels to carry the weight of people’s expectations? St. Mick has entered the stratosphere where few mortals dwell. He lives alongside heroes who the public counts on for its own sense of morality like Pope Francis or Superman. He carries the hopes and dreams of a world touched by terror and grief. One slip would devastate the kids with his poster on their walls. One stumble would crush the human spirit. I don’t think a surfer has ever flown so near the sun. I wonder how that feels?
it’s just a bit of commentary on the ridiculous way this story has been reported in the media. if this became the norm i’d probably agree with you, but surely a surf website can comment on the way surfing news is being reported elsewhere occasionally?
a little bit of butthurt in the comments section. this was clearly a dig at the media was it not??
Chas Smith, like all mythical creatures such as unicorns, the Loch Ness monster and G.W. Bush, has gotten to the point where we can’t tell if he’s got the hammer on the testies or caressing his subjects cheek. It’s a writers nirvana and a defense lawyers dream. Like all good pieces of writing and serious sitcoms, interpretation is up to the viewer. Depends how angry/content you are ……. I love not knowing…. Dama mas’
Now Chas I am sure you know how it feels to bear the weight of public expectation. What with constantly having to write these pieces.
But the public only expects me to be an asshole! That is easy to deliver. I have zero idea how it feels to produce superhuman quality!
Well forget poor St Mick! Imagine being David “Avocado” Wolfe.
But you are our asshole, Chas.
Again, where’s the shot? Mick doesn’t get singled out any more than any other “in the spotlight” pro around here and I never but never bring up “the incident.” I’ve had my fun with it and am now as tired as you are. Mick has had an extraordinary year and it has been reported on here. Tongue in cheek, maybe, but where did you think you were? This is BeachGrit!
As a surf journalist how does it feel to have the best surfer in the world hate you!? Does it piss you off so much that you can’t help but comment on him weekly, in your narcissistic fashion.
No!
Serving it up to the Australian press for that ridiculous headline is fair enough. But that’s a pretty cheap shot at someone acting on instinct to help a fellow surfer in trouble. I like your writing Chas Smith but it sounds like you are still angry at Mick for that incident in Hawaii a few years ago. Maybe it’s time to let it go and focus instead on delivering us more of your better work. Cheers.
Dearest Wayne…where’s the shot? I am truly wondering what it feels like to carry the heavy burden of an adoring public’s expectations. I applaud Mick for helping out. Good on him. The Aussie press’s headline is only a reflection of the way the public now feels about Mick. To me, that’s the story. I’ve never ever held it against Mick that he called me a li’l name in Hawaii. I held it against him that he said, “I should punch you in the fucking face” and then didn’t but that is looooong forgiven!
I’m sure it helps Mick’s bank balance nicely.
Getting out of bed in the morning helps Micks bank balance…
st mick believes in violence?
beware the icarus curse.
So his gravest offense was the use of the conditional when speaking of blows? They raise ’em tough up in Coos Bay!
The toughest!
Oooooo…judging by the length of your (usually clipped) replies, these comments have obviously wormed their way in a little eh, Chas?
Damn it! Maybe!
HI Chas, it’s nice to hear you say your incident with Mick is long forgiven. I am no priest, more a sinner for sure, but i do know forgiveness like surfing is a powerful soul-enriching thing. In answer to your question ‘where’s the shot?’ – well, in terms taking a shot at Mick, I’d say the last half dozen sentences in your piece was a pretty good blast from a double barrel shotgun of hyperbole and allusion, pump action even. Gun culture is so alive and well in the USA, but it is words and ideas that are the most dangerous weapons in the world. I think there are far better targets out there, more deserving of your keenly focused aim, just waiting to be riddled with the bullets of your cleverness and contempt. Happy hunting. Cheers.
Come on! We all know its a WSL PR conspiracy. The whole drowning was orchestrated so St Mick could rush in an be the hero right before he gets crowned in a few days time.
false flag?
Of course he figured that with a last name like Gieslman it was his opportunity to get back in the good graces of the “Chosen People.” On the first day of Hanukkah, no less. Mazeltov!
St Mick waz ere
“Behold, the built-in bottle opener thongs!”
they were all anti-semitic no? the catholic church has a great record with judaism.
cecilllllllll! don’t mention the war!
I don’t remember – are there other anti-semitic saints? What’s the Catholic Church’s position on those fucking jews?
I feel like I should have an opinion on this…
Indeed, but having already been anointed, you’re probably good either way.
Hahahaha!
Your boy Iggie de Loyola hated him some chosen people (until his bio got drastically rewritten in the post-Franco years)…anti-semitism was part of living in Ferdie and Izzie’s post-1492 Spain.
Strangely, I get the feeling that in 2015 the Catholic church is a lot more tolerant of the chosen people than say, evangelicals or Islam.
My boy? Like I’d ever claim being Spanish.
It was more that I got the sense that you were the product of a Jesuit education.
Oh HELL no. Were I to go with God, I’d go with the cool Elephant one the Hindus like.