Mick Fanning to Surf Only Select Events in 2016

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).

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.

Follow Morgan, founder of Go Left, on Twitter @GoLeftSurf

Preseason Surfer Profile: Nat Young

Leading up to the 2016 World Surf League Championship Tour season, I will be counting down my projected Top 10 surfers for the highest level of men's competitive surfing. A preview of the women's 2016 season is also to come.

Nat Young, USA

2016 Go Left World Ranking Projection: 8 

2015 World Ranking: 10

2015 WCT Wins: 0

Nat Young is an interesting case. He surfs consistently from heat to heat, and for the most part from event to event. However, he rarely looks spectacular the way the guys ahead of him in the 2016 projected rankings often do. Nat is best on his backhand, as his hacks on rights can be some of the best on tour. He has a lot of raw power, and that's probably his biggest asset, but Young's not much of an aerial guy, he’s not a standout in barrels and he needs a pretty big swell to truly showcase his abilities. That said, there is enough potential for conditions of which Young can take advantage on the World Tour for him to log another 10^th, or better, in the world rankings.

Nat Young on his backhand, where he often puts up his best performances.
Courtesy of Steven Tyler PJs

Young has been on tour for three years now. In those three seasons he’s finished eighth, 13^th and 10^th in the rankings. Like I said, consistency. He needs to perform really well in big, open-faced conditions to have a chance at a career year, which means he'd do well to advance deep into events like Bells, Margaret River and J-Bay. 2015 saw Nat finish third, third and ninth in those stops, respectively. I would expect similar results in those events again in 2016, but if he can win one and make a final in another he could be looking at a potential Top 5 finish in the rankings this year. One thing is for sure; this guy works extremely hard. He’s just 24 years old, but how much better will his repertoire get?

Follow Morgan, founder of Go Left, on Twitter @GoLeft