Mick (Fanning) and Marcia, Gold Coast, QLD

Mick Fanning, obviously, has been front and centre and star of the show during the recent pummelling of swell the Gold Coast has been enjoying. Cyclone Marcia didn’t wreak as much dry-land havoc as was originally feared (though, certainly did turn a lot of QLD upside down) – though, the effect it had on the Gold Coast was a rather pleasing one. You’ve probably already watched this video a few times, so you’ll be aware of just how good this swell was. Although, interestingly, the sand is way too wide for the rock at Snapper – behind the rock isn’t looking its best, with the banks favouring a little further down and lighting up as far as Kirra. Noa Deane’s quality rating runs thus: Behind the rock is “minced,” Rainbow is 80 percent quality, Greenmount’s 90 percent quality. Kirra has looked like a straight closeout, but better surfers have been finding exits. “I have to give credit to Shayne Neinaber for giving me a ride on the ski,” says Simon Muirhead, who captured this moment of Mick. “He’s a photographer too, and possibly the nicest guy in the world. Two photographers on one ski! I can’t think of anyone else who would give another photographer a ride in this cut throat industry. “It hasn’t stopped raining for days but the waves just keep getting better and better. It’s starting to get a bit hectic with all the pros rocking in – I can’t even imagine what tomorrow us going to be like. Kelly’s on a plane as we speak. If there is even a 0.001% chance of you not making the wave, someone will drop in and burn you. Unless you’re Mick, of course…”