Champion in and out the water

DOUG Warbrick could tell you plenty about Mick Fanning’s ability in the water. Right now though, he’d rather discuss his character out of it.

“He’s a quality human, isn’t he?” the Rip Curl founder said after watching the global face of his company take a stumble on his two-stop farewell tour, all roads now leading to Fanning’s final World Surf League appearance at Bells Beach.

“He’s been the good old Mick, doing everything right, performing with grace and style in and out of the water and giving it his absolute best shot.

“We share the same values and he’s driven those values for us (at Rip Curl), both internationally and through the community.

“He’s been such a leader for Rip Curl. Probably the two giants for Rip Curl over our history have been Tom Curren and Mick Fanning. They’re both triple world champions and had a huge number of contest victories, but it’s not just that. It’s who they are as men.”

Warbrick watched yesterday’s Round 4 heat at the Quiksilver Pro a day after leaving the event in an ambulance.

“I’ve had some irregular heartbeat,” he said. “I normally get very excited (watching heats) but I did a good job of maintaining a bit of calm (during Fanning’s finale).”

In some ways he was a certain winner watching yesterday’s Round 4 heat at the Quiksilver Pro because, as well as Fanning, fellow Rip Curl superstar Owen Wright was in the water.

The only catch was Tomas Hermes was out there too and the Brazilian’s effort to relegate Fanning to third meant Warbrick had to walk out of Snapper with a heavy heart.

“Mixed feelings,” he said. “Mick knows the (Snapper) break so well but the winning waves didn’t come to him.

“You never know – he might just give it a really big go in our Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach, ring the bell again and be the all-time record holder there.”