At every event on the WCT, something weird happens. It’s like summer camp, only with adults who all surf really well and are old enough to get drunk. One can imagine how much fun it all would be, especially after a few years–all those experiences in all those amazing places with a bunch of relatively like-minded people. It’s no wonder it’s called the Dream Tour… for those who make it, it’s probably pretty damn good.
Mick Fanning’s one of the old guards, and he’s managed to stay on Tour for so long for a few reasons: he surfs really well, and he knows what the judges want to see. Why go for broke when safety surfing is rewarded? “I never win heats when I do airs,” he said. “Might as well just stick with the floaters and cutbacks.” Here’s what went down behind the scenes in France, from Mick’s air to Stephen Bell’s belly flop onto the sand.
