I joined Kirra Surfriders in 1993 when I was 12, with my brothers Sean, Ed and Pete.
We had moved up to the Goldie from Ballina, north coast of NSW.
Even my sister got in to surfing.
At that time I wasn't too keen on surfing, I had been a state soccer player and state long distance runner.
However after only one week on the Goldie my brother Sean and I got sponsorship from Quiksilver, Ed was already sponsored by Billabong.
Together with the Team from Quiksilver and the great support we received from the Kirra Surfriders Club my surfing didn't look back.
Kirra has supported us with lots of training and financial support, as well as all the opportunities to surf in the Kirra Team.
My whole family enjoys the community friendship, and we have had some great times.
The club was also very kind and supportive to our family when a tragic accident in August 1998 took the lives of my brother Sean and another club member Joel Green.
Everyone rallied around us and now Rip Curl, my sponsor and the club members have organized 2 memorial events for the boys.
One of the banks at Kirra is now called 2 trees after the memorial trees on Kirra Hill.
Unfortunately I don't get to many of the club functions or meetings as I am away but Mum has been the Club secretary for 2 different years.
Now that I travel all over the world, I stay in many hotel rooms, its very hard to be away, so much, but all the club members give me the encouragement and motivation to do well.
There is nothing more important to me than coming home to all my friends and family and feeling that sense of belonging and having fun in the surf with the grommets and other members.
I owe Kirra Club heaps.
Thank you for everything and my boards Darren Handley.I love you all.
Mick Fanning