Mick Fanning Announces He’ll Retire After Bells

Photo: WSL

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Three world titles. 22 tour wins. Rookie of the Year honors when he broke onto the World Tour in 2002, fueled by his first of four wins at JBay. And of course, speaking of JBay, few conversations about Mick Fanning will ever be complete without mentioning that day in July of 2015.

Obligatory mentions of a shark encounter aside, Mick’s had one of the most successful careers in all of professional surfing’s history. And now he’s wrapping it all up in April. The 36-year old said Wednesday he’s retiring from the World Tour after the 2018 Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach.

“The tour has given me so much but I need a fresh challenge,” he wrote on social media, announcing his retirement. “I still love the game but can’t find the motivation and dedication required to compete for World Titles anymore.” He then went on to thank everybody from his family to his sponsors to fans before saying he’ll compete at home on the Gold Coast when the Tour kicks off in two weeks, then putting on a ‘CT jersey for the final time at the Rip Curl Pro. “As for choosing to retire at Bells, I’ve always had in mind that my last event on Tour was going to be Bells,” he added. “That’s basically where I started my career, it was my first ever CT win, and I feel really connected down there.”

It’s time. I’ve decided the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach will be my last event as a full-time competitor on the World Surf League Championship Tour. The tour has given me so much but I need a fresh challenge. I still love the game but can’t find the motivation and dedication required to compete for World Titles anymore. My time on tour has been incredibly rewarding and I have so many amazing memories, all of which wouldn’t be possible without some very special people… My Mum, Dad, Sister and Brothers. I love you. My sponsors that have stood by me and continue to back my goals. My shaper Darren Handley and his entire team for the care and hard work they put into every single one of my boards. My fellow competitors on tour, you are like brothers and sisters to me. My very tight support crew that have been there in good and tough times, thank you for always being honest with me. And thanks to the fans and everyone that has encouraged me and cheered me on for all these years. I’m looking forward to life away from the tour while keeping a close eye on things. I’m so proud of our sport and the way it continues to evolve. The performance level on the Championship Tour and the Big Wave Tour is remarkable. I can’t wait to watch it all go down as one of the sport’s biggest fans. I’m also looking forward to evolving my own surfing in new ways, visiting unfamiliar places and taking on different experiences. I will be competing at the opening event at home on the Gold Coast and then wrapping things up at the Rip Curl Pro. Bells Beach is where my Championship Tour career really kicked off, I’ve always loved the place and it seems a fitting stop to finish things up. It’s gonna be a big fun party and you’re all invited to come. Hope I see you there. Cheers and thanks for the memories. Mick @ripcurl_aus @redbullau @reef @dhdsurf @dragonalliance @creaturesofleisure @vertra @fcs_surf @skullcandy @mercedesbenzvans_au @opkix @grapes @mfsoftboards @balterbrewers

A post shared by Mick Fanning (@mfanno) on Feb 28, 2018 at 12:25am PST

“I’m looking forward to life away from the tour while keeping a close eye on things,” he wrote. “I’m so proud of our sport and the way it continues to evolve. The performance level on the Championship Tour and the Big Wave Tour is remarkable. I can’t wait to watch it all go down as one of the sport’s biggest fans. I’m also looking forward to evolving my own surfing in new ways, visiting unfamiliar places and taking on different experiences.”

What Mick goes on to do next wasn’t laid out in the announcement. But after more than 15 years on the sport’s highest level, it’s not very surprising to see his competitive career come to a close. Back in August, he’d said his retirement was coming within the next two years, and in 2016, Fanning said he’d like to be involved in the 2020 Olympic games as a coach. So in six weeks, we’ll all see Mick Fanning’s World Tour swan song — possibly with a fifth win at Bells?

Cheers, Mick.