Could white lightening really strike again?
Doesn’t it seem like just yesterday 3x world champ stood on Bells Beach sands, second place in the event but first in the hearts of the entire world? Oh how the tears flowed. How they rolled down pink and brown cheeks, splashing onto the seams of various Rip Curl products. Mick Fanning had announced months ago that it would be his last event as a professional surfer on the World Championship Tour but it didn’t seem real until it was over and his retirement was made official.
We wouldn’t have him anymore. We wouldn’t have his speed, his power, his flow and the, instantly, tour didn’t feel quite so boisterous anymore.
But guess what? Mick Fanning might be coming back! Like for any top-tier performer, it is nearly impossible to stay all the way away. The thrill of victory, agony of defeat are addicting. Nearly impossible to leave behind. And let us turn to Australia’s Associated Press for more.
Mick Fanning says a future Commonwealth Games surfing debut rests heavily on the location, and a host country’s financial ability to build wave pools in the absence of actual surf.
With the Margaret River Pro about to kick off without him, the newly retired Australian surfing legend turned his hand to coaching at Kirra Beach on Wednesday, giving Anna Meares, Chad le Clos and Jess Gallagher a surfing lesson they won’t forget anytime soon.
The three-time world champion assured it wasn’t part of a ploy to push for his sport’s inclusion at Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and beyond.
“It’s one of those things: If we have the right locations and stuff like that it’s great,” Fanning said.
“We don’t want to be surfing terrible little waves because I think that would hinder the sport.
“You go to these places that don’t have waves and then if you’re going to put in money just for a wave pool it’s expensive.
“But in saying that, if we get wave pools all around the world you could easily do an event in any of those places.
“If we got there one day that would be awesome.”
It remains unclear why Fanning chose to speak using the “royal we” but no matter. Isn’t it exciting? I wonder why he would choose the Commonwealth Games though. Is it because he has Irish heritage and could surf for Ireland? Also, he seems very very very excited about pools. Do you think he owns a retirement home in Lemoore? I mean an un-retirement home?
Commented on Disqus? Log out, tap the Disqus button, and your old name and comments come back. The box is ours.
Your comments are still here. Every one of them.
Twelve years of BeachGrit comments came across from Disqus. Connect and we will show you how many are yours. We get your username, nothing else.
Connect Disqus to reveal.
Good for you! I see you’re going in Devon or Cornwall, but also near Cardiff. I’ll never had time to go down south-west but could use a day off to visit those spots in South Wales. I’ll check your facebook next time!
White lightening, haha, what a name.
The real question is will the Saint be challenged by Chaz n beachgrit, and Peter Schroff (@peterschroff) like the GOAT of GOATs Kelly Slater for accepting the surfing’s cardinal sin, the wave pool?
But at least the saint surfs for a shaper label and not “indo popout sell out” ( Peter venkman’s words, not mine) .
However in past history saints may endure martyrdom . . .
Irish connection six degrees
https://www.youtube.com/wat…
I thought everything he did was a sick fucking joke.
West Midlands’ one of the best place I would think of for a good surfing session.
One thing for sure, as a foreigner from a non english speaking country, I noticed the brummy dialect is as interesting as the australian’s accent.
…interesting and intelligent!!!
You will be down here shaving John Paul II’s lower back with your finger nails in four years time “Saint Mick”. Don’t make any long term plans. See you soon.
Ireland told the Commonwealth to fuck right off in 1949. Next year is 70 years since the formation of the Republic of Ireland. What a way to mark a revolution by Mick combining the Rip Curl Bomb wetsuit with the traditional black balaclava of the IRA. Search logo prominately placed of course.
Exemplary work
The Empire strikes back!
Not a bad plan. The Commonwealth games eliminates all those threats from Brazil, USA, France and Portugal. All he’d have to do is get past Jordy.
And Ricardo Christie.
So Fanning mumbles something about maybe doing a non wsl event four years from now? Oh man this changes Everything!
You’re telling me!