OUR BEST OF 2017
NEXT WEDNESDAY’S SURF SCENE BURLEIGH BOARDRIDERS CLUB AND THEIR SINGLE FIN EVENT IN 2018
IT’S been a mixed year of surfing fortunes for the Gold Coast to wrap-up 2017.
But who has been our best? I’ve come up with my top five for the year, based on results and overall performances in men’s and women’s competitions.
Three-time world champion Mick Fanning, who finished 12th on world rankings, was reluctant to say whether he would compete full-time next year after Hawaii’s Pipeline, gets my nod as No.1.
He had mentioned to friends in Hawaii that it would be his last year at Pipe which set the rumour mill in running.
According to former world champion Barton Lynch, now a world tour commentator, mentioned on the webcast how Mick had asked him about his feelings competing towards the end of his career and whether he cared when he lost a heat.
Fanning has responded by saying he would make an official announcement about possible retirement but thought it was likely he’d compete at Snapper for the World Tour opener, Quiksilver Pro in March and do Rip Curl Pro at Bells for Easter.
After that it’s anyone’s guess. I think Mick got a taste of freedom when he took off half a year after the shark incident, his first break from full time competition in 17 years.
That well-earned break would have allowed the 37year-old breathing space to re consider his surfing future.
The most decorated Coast pro surfer is in the twilight of his career and, like the famous song, it’s a case of “do I stay or do I go now?”.
Mick’s ability is unquestioned but it’s that raw ambition and 100 per cent commitment to keep competing that’s maybe in doubt.
After a hugely successful career rising up through the juniors ranks and fully blossoming on the World Tour, Fanning is as popular worldwide as his great rival and friend, 11-time world champion Kelly Slater.
The greatest surfer of all time let it slip at Pipeline after his quarter-final defeat to Gabriel Medina that he had appealed to WSL for an injured wildcard for 2018.
Naturally the request was granted and Kelly will be back.
We’ve lost a couple of great local pros to retirement with former Snapper surfer Josh Kerr bowing out gracefully and Bede Durbidge who takes on a national coaching role in preparation for the 2020 Surfing Olympics.
Fanning’s long time fellow competitor and close mate, 2012 world champion Joel Parkinson, who finished in No.9 on the world rankings, isn’t calling retirement.
MICK’S ABILITY IS UNQUESTIONED BUT IT’S THAT RAW AMBITION AND 100 PER CENT COMMITMENT TO KEEP COMPETING THAT’S MAYBE IN DOUBT ...
But unfortunately DBahs Jack Freestone, who is now a dad with famous partner Alana Blanchard, has failed to requalify and must make the decision whether to go back on the WQS to requalify for the 2019 World Tour.
Fanning and Parkinson really set the bar high, their dominance put Gold Coast up in the lights for the past 18 years but that golden era is slowly coming to an end.
Mitch Parkinson is a new leading light and has a big chance to crack into World Tour contention.
Next year will be make or break for Mitch.
In the women’s comps, sixtime world champion Steph Gilmore is still the greatest, finishing the year with a win at Honolua Bay and No.2, behind champion Tyler Wright.
After Steph there is no lack of local talent in female ranks.