"Learning from my mistakes makes me the person I am"

A dramatic accident changed Mick Fanning’s life – and paved the way for the World Championship title that the Australian won in 2007. In the second part of our interview Mick talks about his new beginning and his path to triumph.

Your serious accident in 2004 was a decisive point in your life. How much did it change you and your values?

It changed everything. As part of my rehabilitation I started a unique new training program that not only helped me get the strength back in my legs but also allowed me to condition my body specifically for surfing. I don’t think I’d ever been as fit and healthy as I was when I came back from that injury. The time away from competition also gave me a really clear idea of what I wanted to achieve, and I was willing to make some lifestyle changes and dedicate myself to going after my goals.

“Before the accident I was unbelievably immature. Today I find that really embarrassing,” you’re quoted as saying. How would you do things differently now compared to before?

I’ve got some regrets, but I don’t think I’d do things any differently. Whatever mistakes I’ve made in the past I’ve learned from and they’ve made me the person I am today. Everyone has a couple of regrets.

The long convalescence period after your complete hamstring tear also brought the joy of surfing back to you, you said. What do you love most about wave riding today?

The thing I love most about riding a wave now is just that: riding a wave. It doesn’t matter if you’re doing turns or just trimming across the face in a straight line. When I was injured I soon realised how important it is to my well being to just get to my feet and ride a wave, doing turns is a bonus.

In 2006 you lost the World Championship only because you didn’t start the beginning of the season strongly. What did you do differently this year? Why did things fall into place right from the word go?

At the beginning of 2006 I expected too much of myself and I was too tense, and that hurt my performance. I was also training too much and burning myself out before contests. Halfway through the year I found balance between being focussed and relaxed and trained just enough to keep my fitness levels up without wearing myself out. I made those changes, and results started to follow. I didn’t do worse than a quarter-final in the last six events in 2006. Once I found that formula, I stuck to it and the big results kept coming right through 2007. And eventually it got me a World Title.

Your rivals are preparing themselves to take your title away from you in 2008. What message do you have for them?

The true key to competitive success is to drink lots of beer and stay out late every night when the events are on. Hee hee. Bring it on!