Fanning feeling a sense of ‘fear’
MICK Fanning jokes he is already questioning his decision to compete at the notorious Shipstern Bluff break against some of the best big-wave surfers in the world.
Three-time world champion Fanning, who retired from the World Surf League circuit earlier this season, will compete in Red Bull’s Cape Fear competition at one of the heaviest breaks in the world.
The five-month competition window for the invitationonly event opened yesterday, with a field of 20 surfers invited to compete when a strong swell is forecast.
Speaking on Fox Sports, Fanning said he was already stewing over his decision to compete at the Tasmanian location, where waves break over a shallow reef just metres from the rock faces of The Bluff in the Tasman National Park.
“I don’t know why I said yes to that,” Fanning joked.
The 37-year-old’s decision to retire after the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach earlier this year came in part because he tired of visiting the same locations and competing at the same breaks on the WSL tour.
Fanning has tackled incredible challenges over the past couple of years, including in 2016, when he took a sabbatical from the championship tour.
Surfing among the ice in Alaska and under the northern lights in the Arctic Circle are among the challenges Fanning has taken on but he said he needed to consider some of his choices more deeply.
“I should think about it a bit more because I keep putting myself in stupid situations,” he joked.
Many would think Cape Fear would be among them.
But the inaugural competition, held at Cape Solander on the Southern side of Botany Bay, was as game-changer for surfing, capturing the attention of fans around the world as big-wave surfers risked life and limb.
“It was held a couple of years ago and we were all glued to the screen,” Fanning said, explaining his decision to join in this time around.
Fanning has surfed Shipstern Bluff before and said conquering the wave gave “a sense of satisfaction and relief”.
“But it’s a whole different ball game in an event like Red Bull Cape Fear,” Fanning said.
“To test myself against the ocean but also against my favourite big wave surfers will be a real honour and I’m going to relish the challenge.”
Big-wave specialist Ross Clarke-Jones and Cape Fear champion Russell Bierke are among the field. Gold Coaster Ryan Hipwood has also been invited to the event, which can be called on any time in the next five months when conditions are perfect.