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Surfer Mick Fanning Attacked By Shark During WSL Final in South Africa

Editor

In a stunning first in the history of professional surfing, a competitor in a LIVE competition was attacked by a shark.

Pro surfer Mick Fanning was attacked by a large shark (presumably a Great White) while surfing in the final of the World Surf League JBay Open at Jeffrey’s Bay South Africa. The three-time World Champion, Fanning, who hails from Australia was thankfully unhurt.

RELATED – FULL PHOTO GALLERY OF STUNNING ATTACK

Sitting in the lineup in the opening minutes of the final, Fanning appears unaware that a large shark is closing in on him. A dorsal fin appears about 6 feet to his right and then the shark goes for what appears to be the rear of Fanning’s surfboard. Stunned with the impact, Fanning turns around with a look of fright and starts to paddle away. Just as suddenly the shark hits him again, this time from underneath his board, knocking him off.

Commentators of the competition were aghast as the event unfolded LIVE during the webcast of the JBAY final, exclaiming, “Water Patrol! Water Patrol! Get to Mick Fanning now!”

Jet skis rushed to scene and quickly got Fanning out of the water, along with fellow finalist Julian Wilson, and safely to the beach.

fanning_shark_tail

Interviewed briefly after the encounter Fanning was understandably exasperated describing the encounter.

“I was just sitting there and I felt something grab or get stuck in my leg rope and I instantly just jumped away,” Fanning said. “It just kept coming at my board and I was kicking and screaming. I just saw fins, I didn’t see any teeth. I was waiting for the teeth to come at me as I was swimming. I punched it in the back.”

“I was just cruising and waiting for my turn, my opportunity and I knew Julian (Wilson) was down the point,” Fanning continued. “I was just about to get moving and start paddling again and all of a sudden I had this instinct that something was behind me. I started getting pulled underwater and then the thing came up and I was on my board and it was right there. I saw the whole thing thrashing around but I was getting dragged under by my leg rope. I felt like it kicked me off but it was still there going and I was still attached to my board. I felt like I punched it a couple of times and then it was dragging me and then my leg rope broke.”

“I started swimming and screaming and yelling at Jules (Julian Wilson) to move as well, but he was coming at me,” said Fanning. “What a legend, coming after me. I was swimming in and I turned around and I had this thought, what happens if it comes to have another go at me, so I turned around so I could at least see it coming. Before I knew it the boat was there, the jet skis were there and we were in safely. I just can’t believe it.”

Fellow finalist Julian Wilson was emotional describing the surreal incident.

“I’m just happy that he’s alive. I literally thought as I was paddling for him that I wasn’t going to get to him in time. Especially when I came over the wave and his board was over there and he was swimming and I thought ‘Oh no, it’s just going to grab him and take him under.’ I figured I got a board I can stab it, whatever, I got a weapon. I don’t know… then he started screaming and I remembered the boats were there and we both started screaming,” said Wilson.

RELATED – MORE SHARK STORIES

The contest was called off after the attack with finalists Mick Fanning and Julian Wilson agreeing to split the final prize.

WSL Commissioner Kieren Perrow explained the situation.

“It’s something that I don’t think we’ll ever see again, hopefully, in this sport. It’s terrible. We won’t be running any more heats today. We definitely won’t be sending them back out there. We’re deeming it unsafe.”

Reflecting more on the heart-puonding incident thereafter Fanning said, “I’m totally fine; I’ve got nothing wrong with me. There’s a small depression in my board and my leg rope got bitten. I’m totally tripping out. To walk away from that… I’m so stoked. And oh man…woah.”




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