Three-time World Champ Mick Fanning has announced that he’s going to take a personal year, surfing selected events instead of participating
in the full 2016 WSL Championship Tour season. That’s huge news. In my opinion,
Mick is currently the best competitive surfer on tour, as well as the most
consistent. His last four seasons have resulted in finishes of third, first,
second and second in the World Rankings. That is incredible, especially when
you consider how strong the Top 34 is from top to bottom these days. I had Mick
as the number one surfer in the Go Left 2016 Projected World Rankings
(adjustments will be made).
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| Mick Fanning will not surf a full season in 2016. Courtesy of MarkYourWaves Surf |
If anyone deserves some time off, it’s Fanning. 2015 was a
tough year for the Aussie star. His much-publicized shark encounter during the
J-Bay final would shake anyone to the core, and the fact that he emerged physically
unscathed defied all odds. Mick also learned of the passing of his brother
during the Pipe Masters last year. Both of these things can certainly change
one’s perspective, and how could you do anything but respect Mick’s decision
here? He’s said that he will surf Snapper and Bells for sure, and likely J-Bay,
but has not committed to any other stops. Mick still wants to remain on tour, making it clear that this is not a retirement, so he’ll have to notch enough points in the events he does surf to qualify for
2017. All in all, this is an understandable move by a guy that has more than
earned the right to do whatever he pleases, though it has major ramifications as
far as the 2016 season goes.
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