'Twas a hell of a lot said about Mick Fanning's recent win at J'Bay - triumphant return, overcoming fears etc etc - and Swellnet concurs with all those fine sentiments. However, the thing that really tickled was Mick's decision to jump on a shorter and wider board before the final.

Just that decision alone has gotta be seen in context. Mick is a master at reducing the luck factor. Preparedness is key, you've seen the zoned out warm up routine, and he applies the same zeal to every facet of his game.

So to see him slip a bit o' spontaneity into his repertoire was fantastic. Left old faithful in the locker room and stepped out with a new dance partner.

Worked wonderfully too; short and wide for the high line glide between sections, less rail for a snappier arc, and a wider tail for release at the end of the turn. Four channels gave it a higher top gear.

Last year Darren shaped lots of channel bottoms for J'Bay. All his riders included them in their quiver and this year was no different. "The pros all want a speed advantage," said Darren.

When the forecast came through for small waves, Mick also dropped a shorter board into his coffin bag. That's the one he pulled out on final day.

"Mick's board was 5'9" x 18 7/8 x 2 5/16," says Darren. "It was 26.8 litres, had a wide swallow with four channels and the nose is about 12 1/2 wide."

And though it was great to see Mick competing on something different it wasn't exactly his first time atop the model. "This is the same board he was getting all those barrels on early in the year at Rainbow Bay," explains Darren.

Need reminding..?

Because of the interest Darren is doing a limited run of Mick's board. The sizes it'll come in are:

5’7 x 18 5/8 x 2 1/4  25.5
5’9 x 18 7/8 x 2 5/16  26.8  ( Micks File )
5’10 x 19 x 2 5/16  27.8
5’11 x 19 1/8 x 2 3/8  28.5
6’0 x 19 1/4 x 2 7/16  29.8
6’1 x 19 3/8 x 2 7/16  30.8
6’2 x 19 1/2 x 2 1/2  32

Click here for details.