Mick Fanning

Michael Eugene Fanning (born 13 June 1981) is an Australian professional surfer who was crowned champion of the Association of Surfing Professionals/World Surf League (ASP/WSL)'s World Tour in 2007, 2009 and 2013. In 2015, he survived a shark attack by what is suspected to be a great white shark during the J-Bay Open finals in Jeffreys Bay.

Early years Fanning was born on 13 June 1981 in Penrith, New South Wales, Australia, to Irish parents. He learned to surf from the age of three at Brown Bay near Mount Gambier, but did not focus on surfing until his family moved to Tweed Heads, New South Wales, when he was twelve. He grew up with fellow professional surfer, Joel Parkinson, in the Gold Coast/Northern Rivers region and attended Palm Beach Currumbin State High School together. On the Queensland border, Fanning had access to surf north and south and he began to make a name for himself. In 1996 he established himself as one of the best surfers on the Queensland points by placing in the top three at the Australian National Titles. In 1998, his brother Sean died in a car accident along with fellow surfer Joel Green.

Professional career Fanning received a wild card entry at the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach in 2001, winning one of Australia's leading contests. He finished 2002 as Rookie of the Year, winning the Billabong Pro at Jeffrey's Bay and earning himself a place on the 2002 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Tour as World Qualifying Series (WQS) Champion.

Fanning suffered a hamstring tear in 2004. It was surgically repaired and he made a comeback to become one of the leading surfers on the ASP world tour.

On 3 December 2015, Fanning claimed his first World Qualification Series (WQS) victory in Hawaiian surf by winning the 2015 Vans World Cup at Sunset Beach, Oahu.

Shark attack On 19 July 2015, Fanning was attacked by a shark two minutes into the J-Bay Open 2015 finals at Jeffreys Bay, South Africa. Fanning was in the water with Julian Wilson during the final when what was suspected to be a great white shark swam next to him and became entangled in his surfboard leash. Fanning punched the shark and tried to wedge his board between the shark and his body. The shark eventually bit off Fanning's leash and Fanning started his attempt to flee back to shore. Much of the early coverage characterized the encounter as a "shark attack." Based on analysis of the video and the fact that Fanning was not bitten, some marine biologists believe the shark had no intention of biting him. However, as there was physical contact between the shark and his board and the shark cut the leash, the International Shark Attack File has classified the encounter as a shark attack.

A response team quickly rescued him from any further danger by scaring the shark away with a boat and picking up both Fanning and Wilson, who was still in the water nearby. Both surfers escaped unharmed and were given a shared victory, splitting the prize-money. Following the ordeal, Wilson gave a tear-filled interview. When he was asked, "You guys are locked in a title battle right now, and to put things into perspective does that mean anything to you at this point in time?", Wilson replied "No, not at all, I'm just happy he's alive." The event was cancelled.

The next day, Fanning returned to Australia. He wondered why the shark did not bite him and told reporters: "I'm just lucky it wasn't my time." a break notorious for great white sharks. Fanning later competed in the Billabong Pro Teahupoo, which took place in August 2015 in Tahiti. Fanning would go on to take a victory at the Hurley Pro at Trestles Beach and finish the year second in the ratings.

Personal life Fanning was married for eight years to entrepreneur Karissa Dalton. On 31 January 2016, he announced that they were divorcing.

Fanning was co-owner of Balter Brewing Company with Joel Parkinson, Josh Kerr and Bede Durbidge until its sale to Carlton & United Breweries in 2019. In 2019, Fanning invested in Australian dog food company Scratch. Fanning is a supporter of the National Rugby League club Penrith Panthers.

Honours In 2017 Fanning was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to surfing as a professional competitor at the national and international level, and as a supporter of a range of charitable foundations. In 2024, he was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

The "masked wood sprite", a spider in the Dolomedidae family, was named Ornodolomedes mickfanningi in his honor.

Career victories WSL World Tour wins YearEventVenueCountry 2016 J-Bay Open Jeffreys Bay, Eastern Cap 2015 Hurley Pro at Trestles Trestles, California 2015 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Bells Beach, Victoria 2014 Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal Supertubos, Peniche 2014 J-Bay Open Jeffreys Bay, Eastern Cap 2014 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Bells Beach, Victoria 2013 Quiksilver Pro France Hossegor, Nouvelle-Aquitaine 2012 Billabong Pro Teahupoo Teahupoo, Tahiti 2012 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Bells Beach, Victoria 2010 Quiksilver Pro France Hossegor, Nouvelle-Aquitaine 2009 Hurley Pro at Trestles Trestles, California 2009 Rip Curl Pro Search Supertubos, Peniche 2009 Quiksilver Pro France Hossegor, Nouvelle-Aquitaine 2007 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Gold Coast, Queensland 2007 Quiksilver Pro France Hossegor, Nouvelle-Aquitaine 2007 Hang Loose Pro Imbituba, Santa Catarina 2006 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Jeffreys Bay, Eastern Cap 2006 Nova Schin Festival Imbituba, Santa Catarina 2005 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Gold Coast, Queensland 2005 Rip Curl Pro Search Saint Leu, Reunion Island 2002 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Jeffreys Bay, Eastern Cap 2001 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Bells Beach, Victoria WQS WinsYear Event VenueCountry 2015 Vans World Cup Sunset Beach, Oahu 2005 Energy Australia Open Newcastle, New South Wales 2002 Mark Richards Newcastle City Pro Newcastle, New South Wales 2001 Wet Dreams Masters Margaret River, Western Australia 2000 Mark Richards Newcastle City Pro Newcastle, New South Wales