If 2006 was the year that got away for Mick Fanning, 2007 was the one that didn't. Mick kick started the year with a home town win on the Gold Coast of Australia and followed it with an astonishingly consistent campaign to claim the 2007 ASP World Title in Brazil with a tour stop to spare. His main sponsor Rip Curl proudly chants, "Lightning Strikes!" and Australia finally has its hands on the ASP World Title again.

Mick's early days saw him likened to Kelly Slater for his ability to take on a diverse range of waves and competitors; only time will tell if Mick can make like Slater and rack up world titles. A member of the talented trio known as the Cooly Kids (which includes fellow ASP World Tour campaigners Dean Morrison and Joel Parkinson who all grew up in the Queensland suburb of Coolangatta), the toe-headed speed-demon they call "White Lightning" will fight to defend his well-deserved title from the rest of the ASP Top 45 in 2008.