SURF SCENE:

JEFFREYS Bay is one of the best point breaks in the world and the locals are keen to have it endorsed as the latest world surfing reserve following the Gold Coast.

But as seen at last year’s fearfully live, bare-knuckle fight when Fanning fended off a potentially fatal shark attack, it is also home to the white pointers and tiger sharks. Facing again the venue that could have taken his life during last year’s horrific final with Julian Wilson is a massively brave effort from the former three-time world champion and former three-time winner of the J-Bay event, who will compete despite reports of a niggling ankle injury.

“When I decided I was only going to do a few events this season, J-Bay was always on the cards,” Fanning said.

“Even if I decided I didn’t want to surf in the J-Bay Open, I was always going to go back. I’ve had so many great memories there, that to leave J-Bay on the note from last year just didn’t seem right. I want to go back and right the wrongs and move forward.”

The WSL has enhanced its surveillance and response capabilities for this season’s event with additional water patrol in the line-up and is augmenting it with emerging sonar technologies to increase information available to event officials.

“I trust the WSL and the measures they’ve put in place,” Fanning said.

“It is one of those things in the ocean and, ultimately, there is not a lot anyone can do. I’m thinking positive and looking forward to coming back. The first surf is going to be a little bit tricky to get through my head. I’ve surfed lots of different places and have seen sharks since then and haven’t felt too concerned. It’s all part of surfing. We’re not going to go out and put a cage around J-Bay. We want to surf the wave and keeping everyone safe is a collective thing between the WSL and the surfers.”

Both Fanning and his fellow finalist Julian Wilson voted to retain J-Bay on the WSL World Tour, although according to reports the Brazilian competitors were not as keen and threatened to boycott. Those feelings have since subdued somewhat with all Brazilian contenders expected to show up, especially with three potential world champ chasers in Gabriel Medina, Italo Ferreira and Adriano de Souza.

Last year’s world champ had left J-Bay before the shocking incident and on hearing the news, De Souza, better known as Ads, rushed back to comfort Mick and show support. Of course later on in 2015, they ultimately faced off for the world title which went Adriano’s way.

Following a season that involved the shark attack, a world runner-up finish and the tragic passing of his brother, Fanning is taking a personal year in 2016, surfing in only select events. He made the semis at Bells and quarters at Fiji.

Much speculation has occurred regarding whether Fanning will return to full-time competition at the end of the season. As of the J-Bay Open, the Coolangatta boy remains undecided about plans for his future.

“2016 has been really fun to have some time off and do different things,” Fanning said.

“It’s been really fulfilling for me personally to go to places where I haven’t been able to before. I’ve made an effort to distance myself from the tour. As far as 2017 goes, I couldn’t tell you right now whether I’ll be back or not full-time. I probably couldn’t tell you what’s going to happen in a month. I don’t know. I’m enjoying the freedom of doing different things and having no schedule right now.”

Fanning, who is placed 16th on the ratings, is currently seeded into the opening heat of round one where he faces an in-form debutante in Californian Conner Coffin and seasoned Brazilian competitor Alejo Muniz, who is back from injury.

Currumbin’s Bede Durbidge has yet to return to competition due to the Pipeline injury that broke his pelvis in December, but the big fella from North Straddie has taken on coaching duties with Hawaii’s world title aspirant John John Florence.

The J-Bay open is scheduled to run from July 6-17.