It’s something you wouldn’t read about – Mick Fanning’s nightmare 12 months of trials and tribulations which saw him lose his brother Peter, divorce his wife Karissa and narrowly escape death after being attacked by a shark.
The Australian surfing legend, 35, has opened up about the year that was, in a very candid interview with The Daily Telegraph, revealing that he was forced him to draw on his inner strength to get through the extremely difficult times.
“There was a little bit that happened, but people focused on the bad things. I learnt a lot about myself and learnt to grow within myself,” he explained.
“With all the media attention, I was happy to disappear, recharge the batteries and see what happens next.”
Despite his courageous efforts, the three-time world champion maintained he was still no different to the average person.
“I’m not the bravest human on earth. You just have to put things in perspective; some things that happen in the ocean are hopefully a one-off,” he said.
In July, Fanning narrowly escaped death after a Great White shark attacked him during a surfing competition at Jeffreys Bay in South Africa. Fanning lost his brother Peter to a heart condition on December 16.
Less than two months later, the pro-surfer revealed he had split from wedding publication CEO wife Karissa Dalton, writing on Facebook: “I have nothing but love and respect for this woman.”
“Karissa has stood by me since we first met in 2004. We have share plenty of great times but more importantly she has helped me through some of the toughest moments in my life, especially this past year.”
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