FANNING WINS TAHITI 2012 !!!!

Thursday 15th September 2011

Organizers of the Billabong Pro in Tahiti
rolled the dice perfectly as after a week of postponements along came two days
of classic 4-6 ft surf at Teahupoo which was warmly greeted by competitors. The
2012 winner is Mick Fanning and well deserved it was after many years honing his
skills at the notoriously famous wave. It was interesting listening to Shane
Dorian (2012 international waterman of the year winner) in commentary talking
about Micks‘ early career and how his backhand tube riding was the one glitches
in his armour he believed Mick would need to really work at it if he wanted to
ever win world titles. When I was on tour most of us would turn up to Teahupoo
2-3 days before the event would start and get used to the wave and boards over
those few days. Over the early years in Mick’s career leading up to the
Billabong Pro, Tahiti Mick would at times arrive for a two week period well
before the event before heading back home for a short period and then return for
the event which just shows the True Champions preparation is spot on and this
hard work and patience has paid off. Fanning now with this win has consolidated
his lead at the Top of ASP World Tour ahead of good mate and Runner-Up at this
years event Joel Parkinson who also had a outstanding event and looks to be in
great form. With California and Europe around the corner for the ASP World Tour
it is a amazing bonus to be confident and in good form as there are four events
basically back to back which has the probability of make or breaking a World
title campaign.

Kelly,John John, Taj,Adriano and Owen plus
many more are in with a shot for this years title although whips will have to
start cracking for them a little as Fanning has a habit of coming home with a
wet sail for title finishes when he smells blood.

Waves along the Coffs Coast have been somewhat
lacklustre for a couple of weeks now and
hopefully tomorrow ( Sunday ) will bring a little light for the surfer Dad and
has a few presents out in the Pacific waiting for him for Fathers
Day.

All programs for the up-coming Vegemite
“Surfgroms” are out now at surfgroms.com and follow Lee Winkler’s Surf School
on the Program finder tab to find a class that suits your groms. For further
info please email Lee on info@leewinklerssurfschool.com.au
or call 665000 50. Classes this year will be held in Coffs Harbour and Sawtell
during the September/October School holidays and in Term 4 classes will be held
on Weekends and after school. Please find Lee Winkler’s Surf article in every Saturdays edition of the Coffs Coast Advocate Newspaper.