Fantasy Surfer Interview With Mick Fanning
(Monday, March 29, 2010)
After a 9th at Snapper, how do you bounce back into form? Anything special to shake off a tough loss?
I actually felt like I was in form, I just had one of those heats where I couldn't find a second wave. I did make a bit of a priority blunder in my round four heat against Kai Otton though. It takes a little time for me to shake a loss like that but I just remind myself that it's a very long year and you can turn things around with a good result at the next event.
What changes in equipment will you make for Bells? Thicker boards? Longer?
I want more drive and hold in Bells board so I can draw out my turns on those big open walls. If the waves get solid and really clean I'll move onto to a 6'1" X 18 1/4" X 2 3/16". Anything over a 6'2" is a pin-tail for me.
How much conditioning goes into preparing for Bells?
Being well conditioned physically is important at Bells. The water is cold, the waves are long and the raw southern ocean elements seem to really take it out of you. In the lead up to the event I train regularly but during the event I'll just do the odd session to keep my fitness levels up. I don't train too hard during events because it can take a while for the body to fully recover.
Do you do anything to specially prepare for this event?
I've been competing at Bells since I was 14 so I'm really familiar with the wave. The most important thing for me is to be comfortable in the cooler water so I make sure I get a few sessions in before the comp starts.
Who are you traveling with for this event? Family? Friends?
My wife is coming down to spend a little time. My Mum might come down for a hang too.
What is a typical lay-day for you like at Bells? Anything that you feel like you must do / visit while you're there?
I love hitting the Great Ocean Road and chasing waves down the coast when the event isn't on. It's an epic drive and there's always a spot firing down there. Checking out a live game of AFL is a must.
Are you feeling any added pressure this year with the drop from 45 to 32 surfers at mid-year?
Not really, I feel confident that I can get myself a spot in the top 32 before the Tahiti event. However, I'll have to do better than I did on the Gold Coast to make it happen.
(Monday, March 29, 2010)
After a 9th at Snapper, how do you bounce back into form? Anything special to shake off a tough loss?
I actually felt like I was in form, I just had one of those heats where I couldn't find a second wave. I did make a bit of a priority blunder in my round four heat against Kai Otton though. It takes a little time for me to shake a loss like that but I just remind myself that it's a very long year and you can turn things around with a good result at the next event.
What changes in equipment will you make for Bells? Thicker boards? Longer?
I want more drive and hold in Bells board so I can draw out my turns on those big open walls. If the waves get solid and really clean I'll move onto to a 6'1" X 18 1/4" X 2 3/16". Anything over a 6'2" is a pin-tail for me.
How much conditioning goes into preparing for Bells?
Being well conditioned physically is important at Bells. The water is cold, the waves are long and the raw southern ocean elements seem to really take it out of you. In the lead up to the event I train regularly but during the event I'll just do the odd session to keep my fitness levels up. I don't train too hard during events because it can take a while for the body to fully recover.
Do you do anything to specially prepare for this event?
I've been competing at Bells since I was 14 so I'm really familiar with the wave. The most important thing for me is to be comfortable in the cooler water so I make sure I get a few sessions in before the comp starts.
Who are you traveling with for this event? Family? Friends?
My wife is coming down to spend a little time. My Mum might come down for a hang too.
What is a typical lay-day for you like at Bells? Anything that you feel like you must do / visit while you're there?
I love hitting the Great Ocean Road and chasing waves down the coast when the event isn't on. It's an epic drive and there's always a spot firing down there. Checking out a live game of AFL is a must.
Are you feeling any added pressure this year with the drop from 45 to 32 surfers at mid-year?
Not really, I feel confident that I can get myself a spot in the top 32 before the Tahiti event. However, I'll have to do better than I did on the Gold Coast to make it happen.
