Mick Fanning Finds Peace from ‘Year of the Shark’ | Also divorced his wife, lost his brother, + the World Title
Mick Fanning had one hell of a year. He became the focus of the most watched surf clip of all time when he was attacked by a great white during the finals at J-Bay, his brother passed away hours before Mick paddled out at Pipe with a chance of still winning the World Title (which he almost did, beating J.O.B, Slater, and John John with the weight of his brothers death on his shoulders), and after seven years of marriage Mick and his wife parted ways. One of those things alone would be enough to crush another man. Especially since he’d already lost one brother to a car crash back in 1998.
Yet through all this Fanning found peace. He did it by getting back to basics, not taking the media bait opportunities that his shark attack opened, taking a year to not do the Tour full time, and just surf for fun. And party more. Mick helped open a brewery and even through Matt Wilko’s post-win party at Snapper. Guess who security wouldn’t let through the front door, his arch rival/friend Kelly Slater.
Surf writer to the stars – Sean Doherty – has been keeping up with Mick’s movements and emotions throughout the last 12 months and wrote a truly epic profile on his hard times and how he overcame them.
Click over to SURFER MAG to read the Year of the Shark profile on Mick Fanning.
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