Mick began his professional career at Bells taking out the event in 2001 as a 19-year-old wildcard, he would go on to ring the bell three more times in his illustrious career. The 40-year old is currently tied for the most wins (4) at the event, a feat shared with the greatest of all time and fellow competitor Kelly Slater.
Fanning retired at Bells in 2018 after losing to Italo Ferreira in the final. The Aussie icon has competed since then at the WSL Narrabeen event last year, but Bells was the wildcard he really wanted.
I caught up with Mick to chat about how retirement is treating him and how he is feeling before his return at Bells.
How was living in the US for a period?
“Yeah it was fine, it was great to be with Brees (Fannings partner) family who are from Huntington beach, so yeah it was good to be over there , hang out and pretty much surf trestles every day.”
What’s busier Trestles or Snapper?
“Uhm Snapper”
You wanted the wildcard at Bells more than Snapper? What makes Bells so special for you?
“Umm, well you know I guess Snapper is a challenger series event
I guess there’s people coming through, I guess trying to make their careers, Bells is a place that I really enjoy, but with it being a Rip Curl event, I would have to work anyway so I might as well get out there.”
You spoke yesterday about being unfit at Narrabeen last year, what have you done differently to prepare for Bells?
“Look last year I was coming back from a knee injury so, I guess the difference is that I feel like my body when I look after is at 100%, when last year I was only 75 -80%.”
How was it to watch Kelly win Pipe? Did it get you fired up?
“Well, look it was amazing, the heats were incredible. Kelly is one of the greatest tube-riders of all time. In those conditions you can never count him out. I guess people ask if it got me fired up to get back on tour, not really haha, I’m happy with life right now, I’m happy not to be on tour.”
Do you enjoy watching the WSL in retirement? Who have been your favourite surfers to watch on tour this year?
“Yeah, I’m a huge fan, always have been, always will be. I guess the kids that I sort of speak to the most in Seth and Griffin, they’re probably the two kids I’ve been really enjoying watching. But then you can’t go past guys like John or Italo and Felipe, they’re incredible at their craft.”
Who are you looking forward to surf against at Bells? You and Griffin looked to be having some laughs yesterday at the press conference. Kelly and yourself is a match up we all want to see.
“Well look, Griff’s a funny kid, he is hilarious. I love hanging out with Griff. I guess probably the person that I surfed against the most is Kelly. But yeah, look, I’m excited to surf against anyone, that’s the beauty of being a wildcard, you surf against the guys who are leading the rankings, that’s fun.”
Who have you got as coach in your corner? Anyone helping you out this time around?
“Well Kingy (Andrew King) is down here, I sort of rekindled an old flame with him but look I’m not in the same sort of capacity as I was. I leave the decision back to the family. But Kingys there, he has always been a great sounding board for me.”
What boards are you riding and what have you brought down, is there anything new you’re trying compared to when you competed before on tour?
“Look, I’ve got a whole bunch of DHD’s. The route we sort of went with the boards is probably the board that I rode in Jbay in 2014. Same tail template, little bit squarer, little bit longer edge, so yeah that’s the probably only difference.
Who do you expect to see on finals day in the men’s and who do you see on the women’s taking it out?
“Yeah look, you don’t know, Bells is a funny one. If it’s pumping, you got to go John John. Then on the women’s side, Steph has got some ground to pick up and I expect her to be fired up, that’s a good one. But then probably Brisa Hennessy, world no.1 right now, Tyler is looking fit and hungry and Lakey Peterson her husband is from here too. There are a few girls that can take this one out.”
Favourite memories from Bells in and out of the water?
“Well look I think it’s just the friendships I’ve built over the years, I love that walk down to Bells it feels like a stadium type of feeling, everybody on the hill, and then when you’re walking downstairs and paddling out it feels almost like ground hog day, it’s pretty amazing. But probably the thing always that Bells does is ringing each bell for the final, always send shivers down the spine.”
Any new hobbies outside of competitive surfing these days?
(laughs) “mate I’ve got none hey.”
Helping with the floods, is that one of the most surreal experiences you have been a part of?
“Look it’s something you don’t plan on doing. It was as real as it gets, helping those in need. The team we had helping and there were so many groups across different areas lending a hand for their fellow neighbour, it was awesome that Aussie spirit, but it was fucked that the floods got us together.”
It’s been more than 20 years since your first wildcard at Bells, If you could describe those 20 years in a word or a sentence. What comes to your mind?
“Fun hahaha, I’ve had a really good time in life “
Best of luck mate – I really appreciate the time, awesome to see you compete again.
“Cheers , see ya mate”
