In terrifying news today, Australian pro surfer Mick Fanning has survived an encounter with a Great White shark during the J-Bay Open World Surf League event in South Africa yesterday afternoon.
The confrontation, which was caught live on national television, showed Fanning swimming next to a thrashing dark fin during his final against Julian Wilson at Jeffrey’s Bay.
The footage shows the shark knocking Fanning off his board, followed by a frenzied confrontation before he is rescued by the J-Bay jetski support team.
Once ashore, clearly shaken, Fanning spoke through tears as he recounted the event.
‘I literally just jumped away and it just kept coming at my board and I was kicking and swimming,’ Fanning said, directly after the rescue.
‘I punched it in the back!’
‘I punched it a couple of times, but I felt like it was dragging me under water… Then all of a sudden my leg rope broke and I was swimming and screaming.’
The J-Bay organisers have since cancelled the final, amid reports of two sharks being spotted in the area. The World Surf League said in a statement yesterday ‘We are incredibly grateful that no-one was seriously injured today’.
‘Mick’s composure and quick acting in the face of a terrifying situation was nothing short of heroic and the rapid response of our water safety personnel was commendable – they are truly world class at what they do.
‘The safety of our athletes is a priority for the WSL and, after discussions with both finalists, we have decided to cancel the remainder of the competition.
The organisers have since announced that Fanning and fellow Australian Julian Wilson will both receive second place, locking them both into a world title battle, with the prize money to be split between them.
But when asked about getting back into the water, Fanning has said it’s not on the agenda any time soon.
‘I’m happy to not even compete ever again… Seriously, to walk away from that, I’m just so stoked’ he said.
Fanning’s manager Ronnie Blakey however says fans are not to worry just yet. In an interview on Triple M radio, Blakey has said he will no doubt recover from the incident.
‘He’s got another month until his wave in Tahiti. I think Mick will pull it together.’
Good on you, Mick. The ocean is all yours.
