Mick’s a hero all across the board
CABARITA’S Nate Johnson was dubbed the luckiest kid in the country after three-time world champion Mick Fanning gifted him his final Quiksilver Pro surfboard this week. That’s not all.
“He also had a surf with (women’s star) Sally Fitzgibbons at Cabarita two weeks ago,” father Steve Johnson said of his 10-year-old’s son amazing ability to put himself in the right place at the right time.
“Nate was checking the surf after school, like he does every day, and he saw Sally, started chatting to her and ran home to get his board. He jumped in the water and was paddling around chatting to her for about an hour.
“He saw her again (at the Quiksilver Pro on Wednesday) and she remembered him. He said ‘Mick just gave me his board’ and she said ‘No way’ and punched knuckles with him (laughs).
“It’s just how good they all are … every one of them has so much time for the kids. I think it’s a credit to the sport.”
While Nate shared waves with Fitzgibbons away from prying eyes, his brief but glorious interaction with Fanning came in the full glare of the media spotlight.
Having just watched their hero get toppled in his Round 4 heat at his final Quiksilver Pro, a horde of Fanning fans raced to the water’s edge in the hope of a photo or signature.
EVERY ONE OF THEM [PRO SURFERS] HAS SO MUCH TIME FOR THE KIDS. IT’S A CREDIT TO THE SPORT. STEVE JOHNSON
And front and centre was a little bloke called Nate.
“I ran down and said ‘Hi Mick, could I please have your autograph?’ and Mick said ‘I think I’ve got something better for you’ and handed me his board.”
So, it
“please”?
“Yeah, he’s got good manners,” proud dad Steve said.
“I’m sure Mick was pretty bummed about losing but he took the time to think of someone else, a little kid … Nate was speechless. His life is surfing and Mick has been an idol of his for a long, long time.
“We actually used Mick as does pay to say an example earlier this year because Nate didn’t want to do soccer anymore and team sports are a big thing for us. We said ‘I know Mick played soccer right until he was 13 or 14’ and he said ‘OK, I’ll play’.
“We don’t know Mick personally but we just think the world of him and how he carries himself. You couldn’t ask for a better role model for your son.”
With Nate’s memorable Fanning moment captured by the cameras, Steve and wife Mel have spent today juggling media requests while their boy headed to school with newfound fame.
“The kids were pretty excited,” Nate said.
While the surfboard isn’t going straight to the pool room, it’s scored the next best thing.
“We’re going to hang it at the entry of the house,” Nate said. “We won’t sell it – never.”