Mick Fanning AO

Michael 'Mick' Fanning AO (b. 1981), professional surfer, was ranked third in the world by the Association of Surfing Professionals at the end of 2010. Fanning began surfing in Ballina at five and, in spite of severe scoliosis, took up the sport in earnest in Tweed Heads at the age of twelve. He finished in the top three at the Australian national titles in 1996, and though devastated by the death of his brother and fellow surfer in a car accident in 1998, won the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach in 2001 on a wild card entry. Turning professional in 2002, and weathering from a complete hamstring tear in 2004, he won the 2007 Quiksilver Pro and the Santa Catarina Pro to finish ahead of major rivals Taj Burrow and Kelly Slater and win the ASP world title. After a groin injury in 2008, he slipped to eighth position on the world rankings, but battled to reclaim his world crown in Hawaii in 2009. Fanning is the intensely focused face of Rip Curl wetsuits and clothing. He is the co-author of the inspiring biography Surf for your life (2009), recently re-issued in a 'Grommets' Edition'.