Surfing pro Mark Fanning has announced that he will retire from surfing in the next two years. This means the Aussie won’t be competing in the 2020 Olympics, but instead hopes to bag a fourth world title before he bows out, with his efforts now focused on a maiden Hawaiian Pipeline Masters crown.
36-year-old Fanning said: “Definitely [retirement] in the next couple of years. There’s other things I want to do while I’m still able-bodied… You know when it’s time.”
A regular fixture on the Gold Coast, Fanning has experienced two shark attacks in the last few years, even having to be rescued from the water last month to escape a great white. This only served to convince him of his decision; along with the fact that his heart isn’t in it like it used to be. “It’s a matter of wanting it that bad that you wake up and dedicate your whole life to it,” he said. “That’s probably what’s not there at the moment, which is fine.”
“My whole goal for the year was just to perform to a standard I was happy with, not really concentrating on results,” Fanning explained. “But there’s been events where I wasn’t that happy with performances and there’d been other events where I’d been really happy with how I surfed. The tour’s a rollercoaster anyway, but overall I’ve been having fun.”
Watch out for Fanning at the 2017 Billabong Pipe Masters in October, which he admits would be the perfect high to leave the sport on. “If I could win that, it would be the cherry on top of my whole career,” said Fanning. “Even though there’s a few cherries already!”
Rip Curl Cup 2017 called off
Sadly the 2017 Rip Curl Cup Invitational failed to go ahead this year in Padang Padang, as the calibre of swells required never made an appearance. After the month-long waiting period came to a close, the event was postponed to 2018.
International surfers keen to steal the cup, like Mason Ho (HAW), Bruno Santos (BRA), Bruce Irons (HAW), Clay Marzo (HAW) and Damien Hobgood (USA) will now have to wait until next year. For now the cup will remain with last year’s reigning champion, Mega Semadhi, in Bali.
Rip Curl Southeast Asia Marketing Manager, James Hendy commented: “Our standard is to guarantee 16 of the world's best tube riders are competing on the best day of the year at Padang Padang. Anything less would mean compromising the integrity of the event.”
Possibly the most unique event in the surfing calendar, The Surf De Nuit takes part at night in the South of France and sees surfers compete on coloured LED boards. The event is held on August 18th and – for the first time – will now include female athletes as well. Check our blog next week for all the juicy details!
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