The tale of Mick Fanning, the Australian surf scene, and a battle with a great white shark

Surfing has been around since the 12th century, and the very first to pioneer the sport were local Polynesians riding their 12-20ft logs in the vibrant Pacific Ocean. In James Cook’s diaries, he describes the local Hawaiian surfers as aquatic demi-Gods capable of harnessing the ocean's power like no other.

As surfing began to spread around the world, many fell in love with the sport. From Australia to San Francisco, wherever there was a stretch of ocean, you could spot someone carving lines!

The Australian surfing scene blew up in the 1960s, with the arrival of surfing icons such as Duke Kahanamoku, and the Californian lifeguard team. Aussie surfers took their inspiration from outsiders, replicating the California surf culture.

Great Australian surfing icons like Wayne Lynch and Nat Young took the sport to new heights, transitioning from the log to more hybrid-based boards. Sharp turns and greater maneuverability began molding the sport as a mainstream activity. Furthermore, the ability to produce more boards locally promoted surfing everywhere!

Mick Fanning was one of the many young Australians that got bit by the surfing bug at a young age. Born in 1981, in Penrith, New South Wales, Australia, he learned to surf at an early age. At the age of 12, Fanning moved to Tweed Heads where he grew up surfing with Joel Parkinson around the Gold Coast.

It wasn’t until 1996 that he established himself as one of the best surfers on the Gold Coast, after finishing in the top three in Australia's National Surfing contest. Mick Fanning faced a challenging period in his life after his brother Sean and fellow surfer Joel Green died in a car accident. Nevertheless, he channeled his energy into his surfing and transformed himself into one of Australia's most iconic surfers.

Fanning received a wild card entry at the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach in 2001, winning one of Australia's most challenging surfing contests. His performance at Jeffrey’s Bay earned him a fearless reputation as one of Australia's most exciting surfers!

In 2002, Fanning was awarded rookie of the year after some impressive performances that year. Fanning was later added to the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) as well as the World Surf Tour.

While surfing with some friends in 2004, Fanning suffered a serious hamstring tear and needed to stay off the tour for a year. He came back even stronger, just as fearless in his style, but hungrier. He went on to challenge top surfers such as Kelly Slater and Taj Burrow, two of the most iconic surfers during the 2000s.

In 2007, Fanning left his mark on the tour after clinching the World Title during the Santa Catarina Pro. The Australian surfer placed above Taj Burrow and Kelly Slater after a heavily contested tour. A well-deserved victory with a bittersweet ending as Fanning fell injured once again to his recurring groin injury.

Mick Fanning put on a remarkable performance in the 2009 ASP Pipeline competition, snatching a victory on Oahu’s North Shore. Although he fell to Dean Morrison in Round 4, yet his championship points were enough to secure a total victory.

During the J-Bay Open in 2015, at Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, Mick Fanning experienced a terrifying encounter with a great white shark. Fanning was in the water with Julian Wilson competing for the final prize when a great white shark swam under the Australian.

Mick Fanning managed to place his board between himself and the shark that was supposedly tangled up with the leash. The shark eventually bit off Fanning's leash, setting Fanning free from the scrum. Julian Wilson paddled over to assist Fanning onto the jetski while the rescue team patrolled the area. Both surfers escaped unharmed.

The event was canceled and both surfers split the prize money. The next day, Fanning returned to Australia where he would take a break and detach himself from surfing. "I'm just lucky it wasn't my time."

The Australian surfer later planned a surf trip to Ship Stern Bluff, in Australias Southern. Arguably one of the shakiest surf spots on the planet with extreme currents and rough conditions. Mick Fanning launched himself into the dark water as a means of proving himself capable of dominating his own fears.

Mick Fanning would go on to compete at the Billabong Pro Teahupoo and a couple of other times at Pipeline, however, the now-veteran Australian surfer was looking for something different. Fanning started a Brewing company with his friend Joel Parkinson and stepped down from the World Tour. Mick Fanning still surfs regularly to this day, showing love for the sport and the Australian surfing community.